Bringing Your Deactivated Gun Up To Current UK Specification

If you’re reading this blog, it’s likely that you’re wondering how you can bring your deactivated gun up to current specification in the UK.

Keep reading to learn more about why bringing your deactivated firearm up to current UK specification is important and how you can do it.

How Do I Know If My Deactivated Gun Is Of Old Specification or Current Specification?

The best way to determine whether your deactivated gun is of old specification or current specification is to examine it. Current specification deactivated guns will not hold on half or full cock and will not ‘dry fire’. Old specification deactivated guns likely will.

Another way to tell is to examine the deactivation marks on the gun and the deactivated certificate. Generally speaking, guns deactivated after 2018 will be of the new standard.

If the gun was deactivated at the Birmingham Proof House, this will be marked on the gun with a symbol bearing two crossed swords with D and A at 9 & 3 o’clock respectively and two numbers beneath, these two numbers show the year of deactivation. 

If the gun was deactivated at the London Proof House, this will be marked on the gun with a symbol bearing a sword with 'DA' directly above and two numbers beneath, these two numbers show the year of deactivation. 

A ‘current spec’ deactivation certificate will bear the EU flag at the top along with the Birmingham or London Proof House crest. It will begin with the words "the deactivation measures conform to the requirements of the common minimum technical specifications set out in the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018-337 of 5 March 2018" and will show the year of deactivation.

I’ve Lost My Deactivation Certificate, What Can I Do?

If you have lost your deactivation certificate and wish to sell or transfer your old specification deactivated firearm, you will first need to have your firearm re-deactivated. You will then be provided with an up-to-date deactivation certificate on completion of the deactivation process, and you are then free to sell/transfer ownership of the gun.

If you have a deactivated firearm that is up to current specification and have lost your certificate, you will not be able to sell or transfer ownership of it. To replace your certificate, you will need to send your deactivated firearm off to be re-inspected. This is a service we offer, simply contact us for more information.

Do I Need To Bring My Deactivated Gun Up To Current Spec?

Although it is legal in the UK to own a deactivated firearm that is not up to the new specification, there are limitations to what you can do with it.

Most importantly, you will not be able to privately sell or transfer ownership of your deactivated gun within the UK if it has not been brought up to the most recent specification.

Can I Sell My Old Specification Deactivated Gun?

You cannot privately sell or transfer ownership of a deactivated gun within the UK that has not been brought up to the current specification.

In order to legally sell or transfer ownership of a deactivated firearm that is of an old specification, you must first have your gun brought up to the current deactivation standard. Once your gun has been re-deactivated, you will receive a new certificate showing it is of the current standard. You can then legally sell or otherwise transfer ownership.

If you are wanting to sell your old specification deactivated firearm to us, simply contact us for more information. We can then explain the options available which include bringing your old specification deactivated firearm up to new specification, as well as the selling process.

How Can I Bring My Deactivated Gun Up To New Specification?

At Henry Krank, we offer a re-deactivation service to make sure your deactivated gun complies with the most recent legislation.

To learn more about our deactivation service, including costs and time scales, visit our blog How Do I Get My Firearm Deactivated?

Will The Home Office Need To Be Notified Upon Re-Deactivation?

Yes, once your already deactivated firearm has been brought up to the new specification, the Home Office must be notified.

If you re-deactivate your firearm through Henry Krank, we will do this on your behalf.

If you sell/transfer your deactivated firearm privately, notice must be given on or before the day on which the person first possesses the deactivated firearm or, as soon as reasonably practicable after that date. The notice must give a description of the deactivated firearm including, the make, calibre and serial number of the firearm and state the person's name and address. There is no need to notify if the person is in possession of the deactivated firearm for a period of 14 days or less.

It is a criminal offence for a person to transfer a deactivated firearm and to have not given notice of the transfer.