Guidance

Adapting shotgun magazines and deactivating firearms

Specifications for adapting shotgun magazines and deactivating firearms.

Documents

Specifications for the adaptation of shotgun magazines and the deactivation of firearms

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Details

The Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988 defines the types of smooth-bore guns which may be held on a shotgun certificate.

This document describes how another type of firearm may be classified as a shotgun if it is adapted in an approved way. It also contains guidance on deactivating firearms.

From 8 April 2016 the deactivation of firearms is covered by EU Implementing Regulation 2015/2403, ‘Establishing common guidelines on deactivation standards and techniques for ensuring that deactivated firearms are rendered irreversibly inoperable’.

For more information please read the firearms licensing guidance

Updates to this page

Published 31 January 2011
Last updated 6 April 2016 + show all updates
  1. Note added about EU regulation on deactivated firearms.

  2. First published.

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