The requirement to notify police of the possession or transfer of deactivated firearms has been revoked, following changes introduced through new legislation.
The update came into force on 4 March 2026 under the Firearms (Revocation, Consequential Amendment and Saving Provision) Regulations, with the change confirmed in a Home Office circular.
Under the revised rules, individuals are no longer required to inform police when they acquire or transfer a deactivated firearm. The broader regulatory framework governing deactivated firearms remains unchanged.
The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) welcomed the decision, stating that it removes unnecessary administrative requirements without impacting public safety.
BASC director of firearms Bill Harriman said: “We welcome a reduction in bureaucracy that will allow the Home Office to focus resources on initiatives that will enhance public safety. This provision did nothing to sustain public safety, instead it involved deactivated firearm collectors in a bureaucratic process which did not contribute to crime reduction or prevention.”
Harriman added that the change represents a more proportionate approach to regulation, allowing resources to be directed towards measures that have a clearer impact on public safety.