Can You Transport Firearms in a Car in the UK?

Quick Answer

You can transport firearms in a car in the UK, provided you are a certificate holder with the appropriate authority, you have a lawful reason for the journey, and you take reasonable precautions to prevent access by unauthorised persons. There is no single statutory transport code in UK firearms law, but Section 19 of the Firearms Act 1968 makes it an offence to carry a firearm in a public place without lawful authority. Transporting a firearm to and from a range, stalking ground, or other authorised location constitutes lawful authority for a certificate holder.

Is it legal to transport a firearm in a car in the UK?

It is legal to transport a firearm in a car in the UK if you hold the appropriate certificate and are travelling for a lawful purpose. A firearms certificate holder transporting a rifle to a range, or a shotgun certificate holder travelling to a clay ground, has a lawful purpose and can carry the firearm in a vehicle.

The Firearms Act 1968, as amended, does not set out a detailed transport code in the way some countries do. The law instead focuses on possession with lawful authority. Transporting a firearm to a lawful activity counts as authorised possession. Carrying the same firearm without any legitimate destination or purpose would not.

Your certificate conditions may include specific guidance on transport. Always read your individual certificate conditions and follow them. Police conditions take precedence over general guidance.

What precautions should you take when transporting a firearm by car?

BASC's firearms security guidance explains that parliament recognised that when guns are in use or transit, they should be subject to a less stringent duty of care than when secured in permanent storage at home. This does not mean casual handling - it means reasonable precautions appropriate to the circumstances.

Reasonable precautions when transporting a firearm by car typically include:

• Keeping the firearm unloaded throughout the journey
• Storing the firearm in a locked case, bag, or sleeve where possible
• Placing the firearm in the boot of the vehicle rather than the passenger compartment
• Keeping ammunition stored separately from the firearm if possible
• Not leaving the vehicle unattended for longer than necessary with a firearm inside
• If you must leave the vehicle briefly, ensure the firearm is out of sight and the vehicle is locked

There is no statutory requirement for a dedicated gun safe bolted into the vehicle for in-transit journeys. The test is reasonable precaution. A rifle in a sleeved case locked in the boot of a vehicle, with the owner nearby, is generally considered reasonable for a transit journey to a range.

Do you need to carry your certificate when transporting a firearm?

You should carry your firearms or shotgun certificate whenever you have the firearm with you, including during transport. A police officer may request to see your certificate if they have reason to check, and being unable to produce it at the time could create unnecessary complications.

If you are stopped by police while carrying a firearm in a vehicle, stay calm, explain your purpose, and produce your certificate. Certificate holders transporting firearms for lawful purposes have nothing to fear from a police check, provided the certificate is in order and the firearm is covered by it.

Never leave your certificate in the vehicle with an unattended firearm. Your certificate is a personal document and should be kept with you.

Can you leave a firearm unattended in a car?

You should avoid leaving a firearm unattended in a car for longer than is reasonably necessary. BASC's guidance acknowledges that short periods of being unattended in transit - stopping for fuel, for example - do not necessarily mean the duty of care has been breached, provided reasonable precautions are in place and the absence is brief.

For longer absences, you should make every effort to take the firearm with you or store it appropriately. Leaving a firearm in an unattended vehicle for hours while you visit somewhere unrelated to the shooting trip would likely not be considered reasonable.

If you regularly need to stop overnight during a shooting trip, consider:

• Storing the firearm at a secure facility such as a gun shop, range, or hotel with appropriate storage
• Speaking to the police firearms department in advance about the arrangements
• Not leaving the firearm in the vehicle overnight if it can be avoided

Common sense matters. A locked car boot is not a gun safe. Treat unattended vehicle storage as a brief transit measure, not a storage solution.

How should you transport ammunition?

Ammunition should be transported separately from the firearm where practical. While the law does not always mandate physical separation during transit, keeping ammunition in a separate locked container within the vehicle reduces risk and demonstrates responsible handling.

Your certificate conditions for firearms typically specify an ammunition quantity you are permitted to hold. Transporting ammunition within those conditions is lawful. Ensure the quantity in the vehicle does not exceed your authorised holding.

Do not leave loose ammunition in a vehicle. Keep it in a proper container, ideally a locked box or the original packaging, stored in the boot separately from the firearm.

For shotgun cartridges, similar principles apply. Keep them in a closed container in the boot. Large quantities of cartridges should not be visible through car windows.

What about Section 19 of the Firearms Act - carrying in a public place?

Section 19 of the Firearms Act 1968 makes it an offence to have a loaded shotgun, loaded air weapon, or any other firearm whether loaded or not together with ammunition suitable for use in that firearm, in a public place without lawful authority or reasonable excuse.

A public road is a public place for the purposes of Section 19. A firearms certificate holder transporting a firearm to a lawful activity has lawful authority. The firearm should be unloaded during transport on a public road.

Section 19 offences can carry significant penalties. Understanding what counts as lawful authority is important. If you are unsure whether your transport arrangements would satisfy the lawful authority test, seek advice from BASC or your police firearms department before travelling.

Does the type of firearm affect transport rules?

The same broad principles - lawful purpose, unloaded, reasonable precautions - apply to both Section 1 firearms (rifles and some pistols) and Section 2 shotguns. Both require the appropriate certificate.

Air weapons below the energy thresholds that do not require a certificate can be transported with fewer formal requirements, but lawful purpose and responsible handling still apply, particularly for air weapons that could cause serious injury.

Moderators registered on your certificate should be transported together with or separately from the firearm as your practice requires. They should be kept secure and should not be left accessible in an unattended vehicle any more than the firearm itself.

Prohibited weapons cannot be transported by ordinary certificate holders. Section 5 authorities are required for certain items, and possession or transport without them is a serious criminal offence.

Can you transport a firearm to a gun shop or RFD for servicing?

Taking a firearm to a Registered Firearms Dealer (RFD) for servicing, repair, or proof is a lawful purpose. The same transport principles apply - unloaded, secured, certificate carried. You should also check whether your certificate conditions require you to notify police before transferring possession of the firearm to the dealer.

When leaving a firearm with an RFD, they will typically make an entry in their register as required by law. The firearm is then in their possession and their premises security applies. Collect the firearm only from the same RFD and ensure any transfer back to you is recorded correctly.

What should you do if your firearm is stolen from a vehicle?

If a firearm is stolen from a vehicle, you must report the theft to the police immediately. This is both a legal obligation and an urgent public safety matter.

Under the Firearms Act 1968 and related legislation, there is a duty to report the loss or theft of a firearm or shotgun. Report it to the police as soon as you discover it missing, providing full details of the firearm, its serial number, the certificate number, and the circumstances of the theft.

Failure to report promptly may be treated as an aggravating factor in any subsequent certificate review. Acting immediately and cooperating with police is the right approach.

How can Vectis help with transport planning and records?

Vectis Shooting Log lets you record each shooting outing, including travel to and from ranges, stalking grounds, and clay grounds. Maintaining a clear record of shooting activity provides evidence of regular, responsible use which can support certificate renewal.

If you transport firearms between venues or visit multiple locations, logging each trip helps demonstrate the pattern of lawful use. Good records also help if there is ever any query about where the firearm was on a particular date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a special certificate to transport a firearm in a car?

You do not need a special transport certificate. Your existing firearms certificate or shotgun certificate provides the lawful authority for transport, provided you are travelling for a lawful purpose covered by your certificate conditions.

Can I transport a firearm across police force boundaries?

Yes. UK firearms certificates are valid throughout Great Britain. You can travel across police force boundaries for lawful shooting purposes. Some certificate conditions may specify conditions about acquisition or certain activities - check your individual conditions before travelling for purposes not covered.

Should the firearm be locked in a case during transport?

A locked case is best practice and reduces risk. It is not always legally required for every transit journey, but it demonstrates reasonable precaution. For any journey of significant distance or involving stops, a locked sleeve or case in the boot is strongly recommended.

Can I transport a shotgun and a rifle in the same vehicle at the same time?

Yes, provided you hold both a shotgun certificate and a firearms certificate. Both firearms should be unloaded, stored securely, and ideally in separate sleeves or cases in the boot.

What if I am stopped by police with a firearm in my car?

Stay calm, explain your purpose, and produce your certificate. Certificate holders transporting firearms for lawful purposes are entitled to do so. Police have the power to examine your certificate and the firearm to confirm the details match. Cooperate fully and answer questions about your journey and destination honestly.

Can I transport a firearm to a hotel or self-catering accommodation?

Transporting a firearm to accommodation during a shooting trip is lawful, but you must take reasonable steps to secure the firearm while at the property. Speak to the accommodation provider in advance if possible. Many country hotels and estates are accustomed to accommodating shooting guests and may have a secure room or storage arrangement. Do not leave the firearm unsecured in a bedroom or public area.

Is it legal to transport a firearm on public transport or by taxi?

Transport by public means is generally much more complex and often not permitted. Bringing a firearm onto a train, bus, or commercial aircraft is subject to separate rules and carrier policies. Speak to your police firearms department before attempting to transport a firearm by any means other than a private vehicle.

How should I transport a firearm if my car breaks down?

If your car breaks down, keep the firearm secure, stay with the vehicle if safe to do so, and contact breakdown recovery promptly. If you need to leave the vehicle, take the firearm with you if at all possible rather than leaving it unattended. Contact your police firearms department if you are unsure how to handle an extended breakdown situation involving a firearm.

Can someone else transport my firearm for me?

Another person may transport your firearm in limited circumstances, such as when they are your spouse or partner and accompany you, or when you use an RFD for transfer. Simply lending a firearm to a friend for them to carry it to a venue on your behalf would require them to hold appropriate authority. Do not arrange transport of a firearm by a person who does not have the lawful authority to possess it.