In this section

De-activated Firearms

A firearms is de-activated if it is incapable of discharching any shot, bullet or other missile and has a certificate of de-activation issued fom a Proof-House.

8 April 2016: change in law affecting deactivated firearms

The Implementing regulation 2015/2403 (PDF, 394KB, 11 pages) ‘Establishing common guidelines on deactivation standards and techniques for ensuring that deactivated firearms are rendered irreversibly inoperable’, was published in the EU Official Journal on Saturday 19 December 2015. This has effect from 8 April 2016. All firearms submitted to the Proof Houses from 8 April must comply with Home Office guidance and additional measures relating to European Commission Regulation {EU} 2015/2403.

28 June 2018: revised EU Implementing Regulation affecting deactivated firearms

Implementing Regulation 2015/2403 has been revised. On 28 June 2018 revised deactivation standards (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 34.1KB) come into effect. EU Commission Implementing Regulation 2018/337 introduces changes affecting deactivation standards within EU Member States.