• the Daily hi thread just say hi :)

  • Welcome to the UK's Most Active Airgun Forum

    Looking for expert advice on air rifles and shooting gear? You have found the internet's premier independent airgun forum. Our active shooting community shares daily technical insights on modular PCP air rifles, spring-powered rifles, air pistols, pellet testing, and optics setup. Whether you are troubleshooting an FX or Daystate regulator, discussing legal FAC requirements, planning a night vision hunting trip, or looking for pest control tips, our members are here to help.

New Sound Moderator Law - BSSC, Home Office & College of Policing Guidance

Jester

Jester

Superior member
Joined
Jul 6, 2022
Messages
1,689
Reaction score
3,747
Points
188
Location
North Kent
The following document is a combined paper published on the British Shooting Sports Council website and details full guidance documents and legal references:


It clears up the vast majority of questions eg mods can be posted, retailers technically don't have an obligation to check your authorisation, etc etc
Basically if it ain't in there, there is no answer to your question.
 
Last edited:
They are still classed as an Air Weapon here so any one thinking of buying one when visiting Scotland will still need an visitor permit or a full AWC to buy one for an Airgun .


From the above link .
Scotland Considerations — Air Weapons and Air Rifle Moderators in Scotland
The Home Office has confirmed that the deregulation of sound moderators applies to firearm
moderators in Scotland in the same way as England and Wales. However, air weapon moderators
remain subject to separate Scottish legislation.
Accordingly:
● Sound moderators intended for use with firearms are no longer subject to firearms licensing controls in Scotland.

● Sound moderators intended for use with air weapons continue to be subject to licensing controls under the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015.


The deregulation introduced on 29 June 2026 does not remove Scottish controls relating to air rifle and other air weapon moderators.
Licensing departments should therefore be aware that whilst the position is largely consistent across Great Britain for firearm moderators, a distinction remains for air weapon moderators in Scotland.
 
Last edited:
Bighit said:
They are still classed as an Air Weapon here so any one thinking of buying one when visiting Scotland will still need an visitor permit or a full AWC to buy one for an Airgun .


From the above link .
Scotland Considerations — Air Weapons and Air Rifle Moderators in Scotland
The Home Office has confirmed that the deregulation of sound moderators applies to firearm
moderators in Scotland in the same way as England and Wales. However, air weapon moderators
remain subject to separate Scottish legislation.
Accordingly:
● Sound moderators intended for use with firearms are no longer subject to firearms licensing controls in Scotland.

● Sound moderators intended for use with air weapons continue to be subject to licensing controls under the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015.


The deregulation introduced on 29 June 2026 does not remove Scottish controls relating to air rifle and other air weapon moderators.
Licensing departments should therefore be aware that whilst the position is largely consistent across Great Britain for firearm moderators, a distinction remains for air weapon moderators in Scotland.
Click to expand...

What an absolutely farcical situation.
 
Pete2eyes said:
Yes, from what I read in part 3.
Click to expand...
You always have been able to

The SAK type mod which suits .22lr and HMR, could always be legally purchased and used on an air rifle, without any certification or authority at all.
They only needed entering onto a cert, when using on a registered firearm.

Though I do understand that larger calibre powder burner mods, were only available for FAC holders. That now looks to have changed too
 
According to Vector Air's site, they have checked with their local FAO they are now allowed to post mods for Air rifles conventionally but they require proof of ID/Age sent to them for the order. Nobody else seems to have updated their site that I have seen.
 
I've just bought a sub 12 mod from Range and Country and had to send a picture of my driving licence before they would post it.
 
Had that from Staffs 1 June, still ambiguous in Section 5
  • (not tested but believed not an offence for air weapon not declared specially dangerous) - Legal air rifle.
5. Storage and licensing impact

Offences now hinge on certification status, not the item itself

Evidential approach:
Establish:
  • Capability/design of the moderator - They all can be dual purpose.
  • Intended firearm type
  • Possession status of the individual
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jpe
Manthing said:
What an absolutely farcical situation.
Click to expand...
The situation in Scotland is an absolute mess but I doubt it will be resolved because the primary goal of the SNP is to make Scotland different to the rest of the UK, even in petty ways like this.

Devolving air gun law was a terrible mistake.
 
Can confirm I just had a mod delivered by post from Solware. They already have all my details on file as I’ve bought loads in shop and online from them.
 
Elshad said:
The situation in Scotland is an absolute mess but I doubt it will be resolved because the primary goal of the SNP is to make Scotland different to the rest of the UK, even in petty ways like this.

Devolving air gun law was a terrible mistake.
Click to expand...
More parties than the SNP wanted it and some called for a total ban . It was first brought up by Tommy Sheridan and Labour after the death of Andrew Morton.


QUOTE

Jack McConnell said airguns would be banned if necessary, following the death last week.

The Executive’s justice minister Cathy Jamieson is to consult the Home Office, which oversees firearms legislation, on introducing a total ban on airguns or bringing in a licence for the weapons.
 
Last edited:
Nibody said:
Can confirm I just had a mod delivered by post from Solware. They already have all my details on file as I’ve bought loads in shop and online from them.
Click to expand...
Yep same here, 223 mod ordered from a different retailer yesterday, pic of FAC emailed, mod posted same day and delivered today.
 
Jester said:
Yep same here, 223 mod ordered from a different retailer yesterday, pic of FAC emailed, mod posted same day and delivered today.
Click to expand...
Mine was for a Sub 12 Air rifle. Solware already have all my record of my ID/proof of Age so didn’t need to send anything but I’d guess for non FAC holders if you haven’t bought stuff needing ID before it will just need them emailing a scan of your ID
 
Jester said:
The following document is a combined paper published on the British Shooting Sports Council website and details full guidance documents and legal references:


It clears up the vast majority of questions eg mods can be posted, retailers technically don't have an obligation to check your authorisation, etc etc
Basically if it ain't in there, there is no answer to your question.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the updated info Jester, it’ll give me bedtime read.
 
I contacted two RFD's about mods being advertised on Guntrader. No reply from the first one, second one "ship to RFD only". They're not exactly helping themselves!
 
Jpe said:
Can I legally possess a moderator that fits my air rifle but is also rated for a section 1 firearm without a FAC.
Click to expand...
One of my now retired local rfd's sold me a Parker Hale .22lr mod to put on an Ultra as I was going to fit a longer Scorpion air tube to it.
He told me one of his best sellers was a crossman 2240(?) made in to a carbine with a PH mod and a stock and scope all in a ratbag.
 
Jpe said:
Can I legally possess a moderator that fits my air rifle but is also rated for a section 1 firearm without a FAC.
Click to expand...
as far as I can research yes and you could do so before the recent change - if it is for use on a sub 12 air rifle. You cant use an air rifle mod on a powder burner due to build difference
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top