Shooting trade exempt from Online Safety Act

New industry group formed with Ofcom

Legitimate shooting businesses and online content are now largely exempt from the Online Safety Act’s compliance requirements, following the establishment of a new industry working group with Ofcom.

The Firearm Trade Working Group has been formally created to ensure that lawful shooting activities are properly represented as the regulator develops its approach to the Online Safety Act 2023. For the shooting community, this means access to legitimate firearms content, products and services online should remain largely unaffected by the new legislation.

.

Collaboration ensures proportionate regulation

The working group was established after months of collaboration between Ofcom’s weapons policy team and the Gun Trade Association (GTA), with the original proposal coming from Barry Johnson, business development and compliance manager at the Deactivated Weapons Association.

The GTA’s early involvement was instrumental in ensuring that the interests of shooting sports participants, retailers and media are protected as online regulation evolves. The association has been working closely with Ofcom to explain how legitimate shooting businesses operate online and to press for proportionate enforcement that distinguishes between lawful trade and illegal activity.

.

A first for the UK gun trade

This is the first time the UK gun trade has had direct representation with Ofcom on matters that could affect how shooting products and content are presented, promoted and sold online – a development widely viewed as a major breakthrough for safeguarding lawful shooting sports.

The working group includes:

• Stephen Jolly, CEO of the Gun Trade Association

• Simon K Barr, CEO of Time Well Spent and GTA council member

• Jeremy Hinde, secretary of the British Shooting Sports Council

• Nick Doherty, barrister at Brudenell Chambers and GTA legal adviser

• Barry Johnson, Deactivated Weapons Association

• Representing Ofcom is Michael Railton, illegal harms, firearms, knives and weapons lead.

.

Ofcom confirms lawful shooting is out of scope

Simon K Barr said: “The key takeaway so far is that lawful shooting and firearms businesses have now been clarified by Ofcom as largely out of scope of the Online Safety Act – a hugely reassuring position for legitimate trade.

“The only areas that will require formal compliance are peer-to-peer classified and forum-based sites, which will need to complete the children’s risk assessment to ensure they meet the Act’s basic duties. This more balanced and proportionate approach from Ofcom is, I believe, a direct result of the positive engagement we’ve established through the Firearm Trade Working Group.”

.

Ongoing engagement and oversight

The group will continue to meet regularly to share evidence, review policy developments, and ensure that the interests of legitimate UK shooting businesses and the wider shooting community are clearly represented as Ofcom delivers its regulatory responsibilities.