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By Ian Nightingale of the Metropolitan Police

(Based on a presentation to AGSC meeting in September 2007)> Ian Nightgale

This presentation objective was to help members be more aware of the problems and requirements of handling firearms in airports and was a very interesting and enlightening. The following notes are a summary:
Approx. 70 mishandlings of firearms at LHR this year and this is unacceptable. Mainly found during x-ray procedures and often linked to inbound airlines.
A large number of firearms are handled at LHR annually.
  • There are 300 - 400 armed police officers at LHR
  • 20000 to 30000 firearms carried by passengers.
  • 50000 to 60000 shipped as cargo.

The UK is a large arms dealer centre, plus a lot of arms are used for sport.

Laws affecting the handling of firearms include: UK Firearms Act, Air Navigation Order and the ICAO Chicago Convention Article 35.
At UK airports HM Revenues and Customs (HMRC) and airport police exercise control over the handling of firearms and ammunition. Aerodrome managers and aircraft operators are responsible for complying with the measures for the carriage of firearms set out in the National Aviation Security Programme (NASP) which is provided by TRANSEC*. Captains of aircraft are required by HMRC to make a declaration about firearms on board their aircraft and either secure the weapons on board or give them into the custody of police or HMRC while the aircraft is on the ground in the UK.
(*TRANSEC have a departmental responsibility for Transport Security across all forms of Transport. Operationally they ensure security arrangements in ports including airports and on passenger ships meet UK standards.)
Individuals in the UK must be licensed to have a firearm. Carriers such as airlines and ground handlers have exemptions and do not have to have a licence to move weapons, but have a duty of care to look after them in a reasonably secure manner and report loss or thefts forthwith (i.e. immediately). This is proving very difficult in practice for carriers. Firearms should be handled like valuable cargo or secure baggage.

  • Firearms are classified in different categories but these categories differ between countries. The basic categories are:
  • Prohibited weapons (classed more dangerous and includes handguns) These weapons need authority of the Home Office (known as a Section 5 authority) S5 has conditions such as change of address, names and notification prior to arrival of prohibited cargo /weapons
  • Sporting weapons
  • Ammunitions of war - Note: military personnel travelling with their weapons must also carry their military orders – failure to comply with this requirement has lead to 117 firearms being seized at LHR over 4 years. With regard to ammunitions of war there is also a flying over countries notification requirement. The UK Aviation Security Law definitions are very broad, covering anything that resembles a gun,including children’s toy guns. Much of the UK Aviation security practice and policies comes from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and handling guidance is provided in Section 16 of the National Security Programmes.

Ian Nightingale will be pleased to help with any enquiries Tel: 0208 8977318