De-activation

[Polchraine]

Can a deactivation be undertaken by the owner of a firearm and then submitted to a proof house for approval?

Or does the work need to be carried out by an RFD?

[saddler]

Yes... you can do the deactivation work yourself if you have the skills & access to the necessary machinery, etc.

Once you have the proof that the work has been done you submit this to the local FEO & the gun will be taken off your certificate

[Polchraine]

Yes... you can do the deactivation work yourself if you have the skills & access to the necessary machinery, etc.

Once you have the proof that the work has been done you submit this to the local FEO & the gun will be taken off your certificate

That was my understanding. However, a friend who wants to display some de-activated shotguns, has found this:


http://www.westmercia.police.uk/disposi ... earms.html

You cannot deactivate a weapon yourself, for instance by filling in the barrel or filing off the firing pin. In such circumstances the weapon will still remain a "firearm" and must be held on a certificate. Deactivation must be carried out by a qualified gunsmith in order to meet the standard necessary for proofing.

[ovenpaa]

I wonder how many 'qualified' gunsmiths are currently undertaking deactivation work. Two of the most prolific deactivators (If there is such a word) I know are certainly not qualified gunsmiths and all of their work is accepted by the Proof Houses.

[Sim G]

I imagine West Mercia's words, as wrong as they are in the true sense, is to to try and ensure that the firearm is deactivated to a standard.

Funnily enough, I've just picked up a 1904 Marlin in .44-40 that had been "deactivated" and hung on the wall. That "deactivation" involved no more that the removal of the firing pin! Ultimately, it's the proof house that will decide if a gun is deactivated or not.

Now then, if you do the work yourself, I'm presuming that the gun then has to be transferred to the proof house via an RFD, unless taking it yourself? But once it has a deactivation cert, it can come back to you via the post....?

[ovenpaa]

You can deliver to the Proof House by appointment and arrange to have the work done whilst you wait so no need to even have it posted back.

[saddler]

Yes... you can do the deactivation work yourself if you have the skills & access to the necessary machinery, etc.

Once you have the proof that the work has been done you submit this to the local FEO & the gun will be taken off your certificate

That was my understanding. However, a friend who wants to display some de-activated shotguns, has found this:


http://www.westmercia.police.uk/disposi ... earms.html

You cannot deactivate a weapon yourself, for instance by filling in the barrel or filing off the firing pin. In such circumstances the weapon will still remain a "firearm" and must be held on a certificate. Deactivation must be carried out by a qualified gunsmith in order to meet the standard necessary for proofing.

Key part in red - the olde approach WAS to fill the barrel with lead & remove the firing pin...pre-UK H.O. guidelines & the like.

Not sure WHERE West Mercia Police send their local RFDs to attend such a course & then become "qualified"

...sounds like more of the same of some boys in blue making stuff up as they go, without actually reading the word of the law first

[Polchraine]

...sounds like more of the same of some boys in blue making stuff up as they go, without actually reading the word of the law first

Have just read through: https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... vised-2010 and there is nothing there about "Qualified Gunsmiths"!

I could accept them saying "You are advised to use or take advice from a gunsmith to ensure it is done correctly the first time and to avoid unnecessary work or expense ..." but not to try and ban anyone from doing the work.

[saddler]

...sounds like more of the same of some boys in blue making stuff up as they go, without actually reading the word of the law first

Have just read through: https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... vised-2010 and there is nothing there about "Qualified Gunsmiths"!

I could accept them saying "You are advised to use or take advice from a gunsmith to ensure it is done correctly the first time and to avoid unnecessary work or expense ..." but not to try and ban anyone from doing the work.

Not aware of ANY LAW that they could try to enforce here...

Office politics wins again. Do what WE tell you to do, WE know best, etc. etc.

Print off the relevant section from the Home Office guidance, post it in to the local office, and ask them to provide THEIR evidence in writing as to WHY they insist on "Qualified" RFDs only.

[Polchraine]

Not aware of ANY LAW that they could try to enforce here...

Office politics wins again. Do what WE tell you to do, WE know best, etc. etc.

Print off the relevant section from the Home Office guidance, post it in to the local office, and ask them to provide THEIR evidence in writing as to WHY they insist on "Qualified" RFDs only.

I agree, just asking for a friend. He wants the wall-hangers and another friend of is to purchase some suitable items and de-activate them before getting the proof house approval. They found that statement and the last thing he wanted was to be faced with costs greater than the original cost of the shotguns.