The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

https://ukshootingnews.wordpress.com/20 ... #more-6100

Key points:
The only legal way to sell or give away a UK-spec de-ac once the ban comes into force will be to have it re-deactivated to the new EU spec, which involves welding the firearm solid.
Sources in the historical reenactment world have told UKSN that some groups are apparently considering whether to ditch de-acs and simply invest in live firearms instead, as it makes international travel for fully-equipped reenactment groups easier.

I am actually fully in favour of this opition

Just a thought, it regards to re-enactors, have any of you actually considered what your Great Grandfather or Uncle would have to say about meeting you dressed in the correct period uniform, gas mask, bayonet etc. every last little detail correct, when he asks to see your Lee Enfield Rifle.... you hand it over and he says "what the hell have you done to this!?!?.... You've welded it up and totally destroyed it" ..... I can imagine my ancestors being rather annoyed! They may well feel you have dishonoured them and the rifle they relied so heavily upon.

I'd rather go without a rifle if a Deact was the only option. Thankfully I have an FAC and have owned a fully functional SMLE ....

ooman, we'd suggest a change of emphasis in your criticisms. We suspect most re-enactors would welcome the chance to carry an unbutchered firearm, but they are restricted from doing so by the law which generally makes it difficult for the general ooman on the proverbial Clapham omnibus to carry a gun. Like 99% of the rest of the population, re-enactors are good people who pose no threat to society and ought to be allowed to possess a firearm. Go sink your teeth into the correct ankles and leave the re-enactors alone.

"UKSN understands that British experts are very worried by this, as welding deactivated firearms solid makes it impossible to check whether internal cutting and welding has been properly carried out. The UK spec allows very limited stripping of deactivated semi- and full-auto firearms, which pleases collectors but also allows the authorities to ensure they really do comply with the specifications."


The above statement alone will cause an at least partial collapse of the deac market, the proof houses are private companies and can refuse (I hear will refuse) to certificate deactivated semi/full auto firearms that they cant visually check the internals of, I don't blame them, I wouldn't put my name to it either, not a chance!

You simply can't ask them to certificate a firearm as deactivated if they cant see the bolt carrier etc to verify the firearms deactivated status! As firearms legislation goes, this really is world class stupid!

Cheers, I'm just giving an alternative view.
I'd rather see people owning, shooting fully functional rifles at MOD ranges ..... Keeping the spirt of those rifles alive....rather than see them butchered and for sale at inflated prices. If it doesn't go bang what fun is there?

Some people just like to have them as wall hangers and on display for people to see. You can't keep your live Sec 1 SMLE on display in the living room.

RDC wrote:Some people just like to have them as wall hangers and on display for people to see. You can't keep your live Sec 1 SMLE on display in the living room.

That is true

By the way.... my stance on Deacts is nothing compared to that of people who venomoid* perfectly good snakes just so they can keep them without risk of a dangerous snakebite!
* Venomoided refers to a snake that has had its venom glands removed in order to render it "safe" for people to handle

huntervixen wrote:"UKSN understands that British experts are very worried by this, as welding deactivated firearms solid makes it impossible to check whether internal cutting and welding has been properly carried out. The UK spec allows very limited stripping of deactivated semi- and full-auto firearms, which pleases collectors but also allows the authorities to ensure they really do comply with the specifications."


The above statement alone will cause an at least partial collapse of the deac market, the proof houses are private companies and can refuse (I hear will refuse) to certificate deactivated semi/full auto firearms that they cant visually check the internals of, I don't blame them, I wouldn't put my name to it either, not a chance!

You simply can't ask them to certificate a firearm as deactivated if they cant see the bolt carrier etc to verify the firearms deactivated status! As firearms legislation goes, this really is world class stupid!

Am I right in thinking any react, regardless of if it was "old spec" before the new legislation comes into force will only be worth whatever the market decides the value to be? Furthermore, I guess people who choose to hold on to unaltered "old spec" deacts won't be able to claim a higher value than what the new, increasingly butchered version is worth?

HH1 wrote:

huntervixen wrote:"UKSN understands that British experts are very worried by this, as welding deactivated firearms solid makes it impossible to check whether internal cutting and welding has been properly carried out. The UK spec allows very limited stripping of deactivated semi- and full-auto firearms, which pleases collectors but also allows the authorities to ensure they really do comply with the specifications."


The above statement alone will cause an at least partial collapse of the deac market, the proof houses are private companies and can refuse (I hear will refuse) to certificate deactivated semi/full auto firearms that they cant visually check the internals of, I don't blame them, I wouldn't put my name to it either, not a chance!

You simply can't ask them to certificate a firearm as deactivated if they cant see the bolt carrier etc to verify the firearms deactivated status! As firearms legislation goes, this really is world class stupid!

Am I right in thinking any react, regardless of if it was "old spec" before the new legislation comes into force will only be worth whatever the market decides the value to be? Furthermore, I guess people who choose to hold on to unaltered "old spec" deacts won't be able to claim a higher value than what the new, increasingly butchered version is worth?

From what I recall if you currently own an "old spec" deac you wouldn't be able to sell it under the proposed rules......but at present deacs are pretty much untraceable so no one knows whos got what and where so how they would enforce the "no sale" bit I don't know.

Whilst I hold the majority of the re-enacting community in contempt for driving the the de-act market by their living history hypocrisy in choosing to use deacts over the real thing, I have respect for those minority of re-enactors who know the importance of leaving un-molested guns in their original condition and see the importance of this.

This is yet again, bad, ill thought through firearms legislation which should be challenged and fought by all shooters and gun owners. However I suspect that none of our "national" "representative" bodies will mobilise their membership and the shooting community in opposing this misplaced attack on gun ownership that will do little to help ensure public safety.

Yet again we have the small minded approach to gun ownership that it doesn't effect me so I won't challenge it.

Make no mistake this legislation is yet another nail in the coffin of legal gun ownership and shooting in the UK.

We should stand beside our re-enacting brethren on this, shoulder to shoulder for the benefit of all gun owners regardless of the the low opinion genuine gun aficionados justifiably hold the re-enacting community in.