Firearms Importation Offences

What is the Sentencing Council? The Sentencing Council is the independent body responsible for developing sentencing guidelines which courts in England and Wales must follow when passing a sentence. The Council consults on its proposed guidelines before they come into force and makes changes to the guidelines as a result of consultations. What is this consultation about? The Council is proposing to issue a sentencing guideline for offences of importation of firearms. Currently, there are no sentencing guidelines for firearms importation offences for use in either magistrates’ courts or the Crown Court. The Council has produced this consultation in order to seek the views of as many people as possible interested in the sentencing of firearms importation offences. However, it is important to clarify that the Council is consulting on sentencing these offences and not the legislation upon which such offences are based. The r