Prohibited Bore / Section 5 Weapon
Definition
In India, a 'prohibited bore' is a firearm above 0.32 calibre or a revolver above 0.455 calibre, defined in the Arms Rules. In UK law, section 5 of the Firearms Act 1968 lists weapons (automatic weapons, certain pistols, short-barrelled guns) whose possession is an absolute offence without specific authority. Classification into these categories carries heavier penalties.
- India threshold
- Above 0.32 calibre / revolver above 0.455
- UK provision
- Firearms Act 1968, section 5
- UK examples
- Automatic weapons, certain pistols
- Effect
- Absolute offence without specific authority
Common questions
How does the UK's section 5 differ from ordinary firearms certificate offences?+
Most firearms in the UK are held lawfully under a firearms or shotgun certificate issued by the police, but section 5 weapons cannot be certificated by ordinary means, possession requires specific Home Office authority, so holding a valid certificate for other firearms does not extend to a section 5 item.
Why is the calibre threshold significant when classifying a seized firearm in India?+
Whether a weapon falls above or below the 0.32 calibre threshold, or 0.455 for revolvers, determines which licensing category and penalty provisions apply, so accurate calibre measurement by the examining laboratory can directly affect the severity of the charge brought.
Related terms
- Chain of Custody
- The documented chronological record of who collected, handled, transferred, and examined a piece of evidence. For digital evidence, chain of custody includes...
- Explosive (Statutory Definition)
- A substance used or manufactured with the intent to produce a practical effect by explosion or pyrotechnic effect. Indian law uses the...
- Firearm (Statutory Definition)
- A lethal barrelled weapon from which any shot, bullet, or other missile can be discharged. Each jurisdiction sets its own definition; the...
- Legal Element
- Each component of an offence that the prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt. For a firearms possession offence, elements typically include: the...
- Operability
- The capacity of a weapon to discharge a projectile using the action as designed or with minor repair. Operability is a legal...