R v Howells [1977] 3 All ER 417

The appellant bought a revolver believing it to be an antique firearm manufactured in 1860 or 1870. No firearm licence is required for such antique firearms. In fact the gun turned out to be a fake and therefore required a licence. He was convicted of possession of a firearm without a licence under s.1(1)(a) Firearms Act 1968 and appealed on the grounds that he had an honest and genuine belief that the gun was an antique.


Held:

His appeal was dismissed and his conviction upheld. The offence was one of strict liability. His belief was therefore irrelevant.

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