Unlawful Drilling Act 1819
| Jurisdiction | UK Non-devolved |
| Citation | 1819 c. 1 |
| Year | 1819 |
(60 Geo. 3 & 1 Geo. 4) C A P. I.
[11th December 1819]
'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:' Be it therefore enacted by The King's Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the Authority of the same, Thatall Meetings and Assemblies of Persons for the purpose of training or drilling themselves, or of being trained or drilled to the Use of Arms, or for the purpose of practising Military Exercise, Movements or Evolutions, without any lawful Authority from His Majesty, or the Lieutenant, or Two Justices of the Peace of any County or Riding, or of any Stewartry, by Commission or otherwise, for so doing, shall be and the same are hereby prohibited, as dangerous to the Peace and Security of His Majesty's liege Subjects and of His Government; and every Person who shall be present at or attend any such Meeting or Assembly, for the purpose of training and drilling any other Person or Persons to the Use of Arms, or the Practice of Military Exercise, Movements or Evolutions, or who shall train or drill any other Person or Persons to the Use of Arms, or the Practice of Military Exercise, Movements or Evolutions, or who shall aid or assist therein, being legally convicted thereof, shall be liable to be transported for any Term not exceeding Seven Years, or to be punished by Imprisonment not exceeding Two Years, at the Discretion of the Court in which such Conviction shall be had; and every Person who shall attend or be present at any such Meeting or Assembly as aforesaid, for the purpose of being, or who shall at any such Meeting or Assembly be trained or drilled to the Use of Arms, or the Practice of Military Exercise, Movements or Evolutions, being legally convicted thereof, shall be liable to be punished by Fine and Imprisonment not exceeding Two Years, at the Discretion of the Court in which such Conviction shall be had.
II Persons so assembled may be dispersed, or detained and required to give Bail, and prosecuted.
II. And be it further enacted, That it shall be lawful for any Justice of the Peace, or for any Constable or Peace Officer, 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...
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