Firearms Act 2023
The Government launched the 2023 Firearms Act in September and can be seen at:
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/49/enacted
This will be fully implemented in the first half of 2025.
Possession Of Ammunition Components
The new legislation prohibits people from possessing the component parts of ammunition with the intent to manufacture loaded rounds. The components they refer to are bullets, cases, primers and propellant.
Shooters who reload their own ammunition will have no problems with this legislation. It is all aimed at preventing people making ammunition to use in firearms illegally. For example, if a person had an obsolete calibre firearm that was not on a Firearms Certificate (FAC), and they acquired reloading components to enable them to shoot it, then it could be proved that they intended to break the law.
A court would have to prove beyond reasonable doubt that a person intended to do something of this nature before they could be convicted. Having a few empty cases from a firearm that you have sold would not fall into this category. Neither would holding amounts of components sufficient to construct numbers of cartridges beyond those allowed by a FAC condition.
The Home Office has proposed date of 3rd March 2025 for the section 2 implementation after which this will be fully enforced.
Section 11(4) Miniature Rifle Ranges / Galleries Changes
This is a major change and will require operators of miniature rifle ranges to be fully compliant by 1st May 2025
The detail of the requirements can be found here:
MMR’s HO Guidance
The basic principles are:
It is the responsibility of the operator to ensure the safe operation of the miniature rifle range or gallery at all times.
The operator must define in writing how they will ensure the safe operation of the miniature rifle range or gallery at all times. This will include when the operator is not present at the location, how matters are escalated and what roles are in place to ensure that escalation takes place.
The operator must provide the police with such information as they require in order to be satisfied that shooting on the range or gallery will be conducted properly and safely and give no cause for concern.
The operator must not permit a person to shoot at the miniature rifle range or gallery if they have concerns about risk to safety because of their behaviour or demeanour.
The security arrangements for the storage of firearms and ammunition must be satisfactory to the local police firearms licensing department.
Those shooting on the miniature rifle range or gallery under the 11(4) exemption must be supervised at all times when handling firearms and ammunition by a person who is suitably qualified, for example, as a Range Conducting Officer.
Only .22 rim-fire calibre rifles or air weapons may be used on the miniature rifle range or gallery under the 11(4) exemption.
We must emphasise that if you wish to continue operating a miniature rifle range these requirements must be fulfilled by 1st May 2025.
You need to apply now for your FAC. Make it absolutely clear that it is for the operation of a miniature rifle range, to differentiate it from a normal FAC application.
If you don’t have your FAC finalised by 1st May, 2025 then you will be required to lodge all guns and ammunition with a Registered Firearms Dealer (RFD).
