OpenLegislation

Unlawful Drilling Act 1819

Geo3and1Geo4/60 c. 1 · Enacted 11 December 1819 · Extends to United Kingdom

Up to date with all changes known to legislation.gov.uk, revised to 21 July 2008.

An Act to prevent the training of Persons to the Use of Arms, and to the Practice of Military Evolutions and Exercise.

[11th December 1819]

C1C2C3C4C5C6I1F1 Whereas in some parts of the United Kingdom men clandestinely and unlawfully assembled have practised military training and exercise, to the great terror and alarm of his Majesty’s peaceable and loyal subjects, and the imminent danger of the public peace:

Annotations to the whole text

Textual amendments

F1

Act repealed (except as it extends to N.I.) (21.7.2008) by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 2008 (c. 12), Sch. 1 Pt. 3

Modifications

C1

Short title given by Short Titles Act 1896 (c. 14)

C2

Powers of Lieutenant and two justices of the peace of a county under this Act now exercisable by a Secretary of State or any officer deputed by him for the purpose: Firearms Act 1920 (c. 43), s. 16

C3

This Act is not necessarily in the form in which it has effect in Northern Ireland

C4

Act excluded by S.I. 1981/155 (N.I. 2), art. 54(4)

C5

Act saved (N.I.) (temp.) (27.8.1991) by Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1991 (c. 24, SIF 39:1), ss. 32(4), 69

C6

Act excluded (N.I.) (1.2.2005) by The Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/702), arts. 1(3), 49(4) (with art. 81); S.R. 2005/4, art. 3 (with arts. 4-7)

Commencement

I1

Act wholly in force at Royal Assent

Contents

  1. 1Meetings and assemblies of persons for the purpose of being trained, or of practising military exercise, prohibited. Punishment Repealed
  2. 2Persons so assembled may be detained and required to give bail, and prosecuted.
  3. 3Sheriffs depute, &c. in Scotland to have the same powers as magistrates in England.
  4. 4Offenders may be indicted, if not prosecuted under this Act. Repealed
  5. 5, 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  6. 7Prosecutions to be commenced within six months after offences.
  7. 8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed

1Meetings and assemblies of persons for the purpose of being trained, or of practising military exercise, prohibited. PunishmentF1E1 E+W+S

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2Persons so assembled may be detained and required to give bail, and prosecuted.

F1F2 It shall be lawful for any justice of the peace or for any constable or peace officer F3 , or for any other person acting in their aid or assistance, to disperse any such unlawful meeting or assembly as aforesaid, and to arrest and detain any person present at or aiding, assisting, or abetting any such assembly or meeting as aforesaid; F4 . . .

3Sheriffs depute, &c. in Scotland to have the same powers as magistrates in England.C1 E+W+S

F1The F2sheriffs principal and their substitutes, justices of the peace, magistrates of royal burghs, and all other inferior judges and magistrates, and also all high and petty constables, or other peace officers, of any county, city or town within Scotland, shall have such and the same powers and authorities for putting this present Act in execution within Scotland, as the justices of the peace and other magistrates and peace officers and constables aforesaid respectively have, by virtue of this Act, within and for other parts of the United Kingdom.

4Offenders may be indicted, if not prosecuted under this Act.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F1

5, 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F1

7Prosecutions to be commenced within six months after offences.

F1Provided always, that no person shall be prosecuted by virtue of this Act for any thing done or committed contrary to the provisions herein-before contained, unless such prosecution shall be commenced within six calendar months after the offence committed.

8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F1