Man robs bank with "AK47"

[Gaz]

De-acs are legally classified as 'deactivated firearms'; nothing more, nothing less.

There are 'Imitation Firearms' and 'Replica Imitation Firearms' as defined under VCRA but deacs are neither.

http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/d_to_g/firearms/#a02

Not so. Latest Home Office guidance (2013) says:

With regard to section 38(7) of the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006, a de-activated firearm is also to be treated as an imitation firearm, and by virtue of section 40 can only be bought by or sold to someone aged 18 or over.

and the VCRA says (my bold):

(7)In this section—
“colour” is to be construed in accordance with subsection (9);
“de-activated firearm” means an imitation firearm that consists in something which—
(a)was a firearm; but
(b)has been so rendered incapable of discharging a shot, bullet or other missile as no longer to be a firearm;

Mind you, the CPS prosecutors' manual seems to be at odds with the statute. I know which one I'd rely on. :)

[SevenSixTwo]

The Law being a buggers' muddle as usual!