Changes to Firearms Law

13 January, 2020

Members should be aware that new measures regarding firearms and deactivated firearms have become effective from 12 December 2019.

They relate to:

– responsibility for secure storage arrangements in relation to certificate holders under the age of 18.

In essence, it is now required that where a firearm certificate holder is under the age of 18, arrangements must be made for a person aged 18 or over to assume responsibility for the secure storage of the firearms and ammunition to which the certificate relates.

The person assuming responsibility must be either the certificate holder’s parent or guardian, or a person aged 18 or over who is authorised to have possession of such firearms and ammunition. It may not always be necessary for the parent or guardian to also have a firearms certificate if arrangements are made for the firearm to be secured in a cabinet with two separate locks which can only be opened when both key holders are present and one of the key holders is a certificate holder.

There are broadly similar changes regarding shotguns.

– the particulars to be entered by firearms dealers into their register of transactions in order to reflect new marking requirements for firearms and essential component parts

– the notification of certain deactivated firearms held in the United Kingdom and their transfer

Full details can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/circular-0102019-firearms-regulations-2019-and-the-firearms-amendment-no2-rules-2019/0102019-firearms-regulations-2019-and-the-firearms-amendment-no2-rules-2019