BASC welcomes government announcement on sound moderators

Following years of lobbying, BASC has welcomed the Government’s decision to remove the licensing requirement for sound moderators.

Dame Diana Johnson MP, the Home Office Minister for Policing and Crime Prevention, this morning made a written ministerial statement to announce the publication of the government response to a Home Office consultation on sound moderators, which took place during the term of the previous government. 

The response confirms that the Government has decided to remove sound moderators from firearms licensing controls, although in order to lawfully possess a sound moderator you will still be required to hold a valid firearms certificate. 

A sound moderator is a shooting accessory, such as a sling or gun slip, which is fitted to the barrel of a rifle to protect the hearing of the person firing it. Essentially a metal tube containing baffles, they help to reduce noise pollution for anyone else in the area. BASC has been lobbying for the removal of sound moderators from firearms licensing controls for many years.

The Home Office consultation sought views on proposals to amend the definition of a firearm in section 57(1)(d) of the Firearms Act 1968, removing the reference to sound moderators. The wording of the consultation stated that “sound moderators are not dangerous as firearms, and removing them from firearms licensing controls does not have any implications for public safety”. 

The Government’s view is that the change should be made through primary legislation, as soon as Parliamentary time allows.

Christopher Graffius, BASC’s executive director of communications and public affairs, said: “The issue of sound moderators was raised with Dame Diana at a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on shooting and conservation last week and at a meeting with BASC and the British Shooting Sports Council (BSSC) earlier this year.

“The announcement comes off the back of years of lobbying work and we are glad the government has listened to the reasoned arguments put forward. BASC would like to thank the APPG, BSSC and Sir Geoffrey Clifton Brown MP, who is chair of the APPG and BASC vice president, for all of their work on the issue.”

Bill Harriman, BASC’s director of firearms, added: “We welcome the decision to remove sound moderators from firearms licensing controls. This will bring benefits not only for the shooting community, but also reduce the police’s workload in licensing firearms by 32 per cent.

“BASC will seek clarity on the meaning of the sentence ‘….although it will be a requirement for a person to be in possession of a valid certificate in order to lawfully possess a sound moderator.’ to ensure that this does not become licensing by the back door.”

We will also seek clarity on the position for airguns and shotguns.

The Government response is being published on gov.uk and will be available via this link.