The final text of the new Firearms Directive 2017/853 has been published in the EU Journal. It will come into effect on the 13th June 2017. Implementation should be completed by the 13th September 2018.
Several EC regulations are still to be written, including marking requirements, the regulation for alarm guns (i.e. blank firers) and the new version of the deactivation regulation. We can therefore expect much activity over the next 15 months.
Young people may continue to own firearms under the current framework in each Member State. There is an additional requirement for adults/parents to store young person’s firearms. BASC will make clear representations when liaising with Government to avoid unworkable restrictions.
A provision exists that requires Member States to establish a monitoring system, including the assessment of relevant medical information. It is up to Member States to choose their system. The UK has such a system in place.
A provision allows Member States to increase certificate life beyond five years where they operate a system of continuous monitoring of certificate holders.
.22 calibre semi-automatic rim-fire rifles remain for hunters and target shooters to own. This is regardless of magazine capacity and means the UK will keep the status quo.
Section 1 shotguns for field shooting e.g. avian pest control will be limited to 11 shots (taking into account magazine and chamber). Section 2 shotguns are unaffected.
There are two definitions of ‘semi-automatic’ shotgun in the EU prohibited category A.
UK law already prohibits shotguns (regardless of loading mechanism) that have a barrel less than 24 inches (60.96cm) in length or is less than 40 inches (101.6cm) in length overall. As such, the EU definition of ‘short firearm’ does not apply to the UK. UK law will be amended so ‘long’ semi automatic shotguns as defined in 1 above will become prohibited. Only ‘long’ shotguns falling into category B with an overall maximum capacity of 11 shots may be owned by UK citizens for pest control. (see also 6 below).
Therefore; Section 1 shotguns with a magazine capacity exceeding 10 rounds are permitted under the following conditions;
“(a) a satisfactory assessment of relevant information arising from the application of Article 5(2) (i.e. they are medically fit);
(b) provision of proof that the target shooter concerned is actively practising for or participating in shooting competitions recognised by an officially recognised shooting sports organisation of the Member State concerned or by an internationally established and officially recognised shooting sport federation; and
(c) provision of a certificate from an officially recognised shooting sports organisation confirming that:
(i) the target shooter is a member of a shooting club and has been regularly practising target shooting in it for at least 12 months, and
(ii) the firearm in question fulfils the specifications required for a shooting discipline recognised by an internationally established and officially recognised shooting sport federation.”
Firearms (including shotguns) which ‘resemble’ automatic firearms (e.g. those built on AR15/M16, HK MP5, SIG 522 and AK47 actions) will remain in their current UK categories and can be used for hunting and target shooting according to individual Member State laws.
Possession remains unaffected in the UK. However “acquisition” of magazines for semi-automatic shotguns exceeding 10 rounds will be restricted to sport shooters (practical shot-gunners) only. Possession and acquisition of large capacity magazines for rim-fire semi-automatics are exempt as are those for straight pull and other non-semi-automatic firearms.
Semi-automatic handguns are permitted providing magazine capacity is less than 21.
Sound moderators have not been caught by the proposals. No changes are required for the UK.
A “face-to-face” transfer requirement has been introduced but the UK is already compliant.
No. Article 4 has been clarified so that there is no ambiguity over electronic registers. Instead Article 4 requires dealers to notify transfers of ‘firearms or essential components without undue delay’ to the police via an ‘electronic connection’. This should be a minimal change in law and BASC envisages this should equate to an email or an online portal on a police website.
The UK is already compliant where “sales” are involved. The law will most likely have to be changed to require notifications of other types of transfer.
No. Home-loading has been specifically preserved in a proposal.
The proposals require Member States to implement security provisions, but it is up to Member States to choose their own systems. The UK’s system is robust and we envisage no changes.
No, the status quo remains for the UK for acquisition, possession, storage and use.
The current proposals preserve collecting and allow Member States to permit collectors, museums, film armourers, proof houses, forensic scientists and others to have access to EU Category A (prohibited) firearms where a special case is made out. This includes those who collect disguised firearms (e.g. walking stick shotguns) and ammunition collectors.
Owners may modify their firearms, but not to the point where its EU Category changes. UK laws in this area will still apply.
Air weapons remain outside the Directive
No.
No.
The Directive (if passed in its current format by the EU Council of Ministers) will come into effect 15 months after the Directive is published in the EU Official Journal. This is shorter than the 36 months originally proposed.
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