Amendments to Firearms Legislation

The Firearms Regulations 2019 came into force in December 2019. These regulations introduce changes to the controls on firearms relating to:

• responsibility for secure storage arrangements in relation to certificate holders under the age of eighteen;
  
• 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; and
  
• the notification of certain deactivated firearms held in the United Kingdom and their transfer.

These changes have been made in order to implement the requirements of Directive (EU) 2017/853 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2017 amending Council Directive 91/477/EEC on control of the acquisition and possession of weapons.

Deactivated Firearms

New laws introduced in December 2019 mean if you own or want to transfer ownership of a deactivated firearm, you must tell the Department of Justice (DoJ).

You do not need to tell DoJ about firearms which were deactivated before 8 April 2016.

Guidance

• Deactivated Firearms Notifications Information

Fines

You could be fined £200 if you fail to tell DoJ you own or transfer a deactivated firearm.

Forms

For further guidance and forms for notification of possession and transfer of deactivated firearms visit the nidirect website

Contact us

Send completed forms to: deactivatedfirearms@justice-ni.x.gsi.gov.uk or

Deactivated Firearms Notifications
Firearms & Explosives Branch
Department of Justice
Room B4.22
Castle Buildings
Stormont Estate
BELFAST
BT4 3SG