The latest (last!?) EU legislation on deactivated firearms is complex and confusing, but the Deactivated Weapons Association (DWA) has put together a guide to what should be notified and when – see the tables at the bottom of this page.)
We may be officially “out” of the EU, but we’re still in the transition period sat the moment (18/2/20) and this particular law was enacted before we left.
You’ll note that the “who” to notify hasn’t been included, but now that’s been made (nearly) clear at – Deactivatedfirearmsnotifications@homeoffice.gov.uk
You should use the forms provided at – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/circular-0102019-firearms-regulations-2019-and-the-firearms-amendment-no2-rules-2019
What possible way this can enhance public safety is – to say the least – questionable, but it prevents the UK having to pay a massive fine to the EU if they haven’t “done something” to comply.
This is the very least they could do to comply with the legislation and still avoid that fine.
| Possession | ||
| Type of Deactivation? | Notify? | When to Notify? |
| UK legacy specifications deactivated prior to 7th April 2016 | No | N/A |
| 2010 UK Specification (for firearms outside the scope of the EU Regulation – mortars, flare pistols, launchers, etc.) deactivated from 8th April 2016 | No | N/A |
| EU Regulation 2015/2403 (EU Spec 1) deactivated from 8th April 2016 to 27th June 2018 | Yes | BUT Not before March 14th 2021 |
| EU Regulation 2018/337 (EU Spec 2) deactivated from 28th June 2018 to 13th September 2018 | Yes | March 14th 2021 if taken into your possession by 13/09/18 or from now if taken into your possession on or after 14/09/18 |
| EU Regulation 2018/337 (EU Spec 2) deactivated from 14th September 2018 | Yes | Now |
| Transfer (for more than 14 days) | ||
| Type of Deactivation? | Notify? | When to Notify? |
| UK legacy specifications deactivated prior to 7th April 2016 | No | N/A |
| 2010 UK Specification (for firearms outside the scope of the EU Regulation – mortars, flare pistols, launchers, etc.) deactivated from 8th April 2016 | No | N/A |
| EU Regulation 2015/2403 (EU Spec 1) deactivated from 8th April 2016 to 27th June 2018 | No | N/A |
| EU Regulation 2018/337 (EU Spec 2) deactivated from 28th June 2018 to 13th September 2018 | Yes | From now upon sale/transfer |
| EU Regulation 2018/337 (EU Spec 2) deactivated from 14th September 2018 | Yes | From now upon sale/transfer |