No lead ammunition derogation for historic firearms, says Defra

The Government will not carve historic firearms out of the coming restriction on lead ammunition, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has confirmed, leaving muzzle-loading and black-powder shooters facing the rules in full. The confirmation came in a written answer of Monday, 19 October 2026 to Dr Luke Evans, the Conservative MP for Hinckley and Bosworth, who had asked whether a derogation for historic firearms would be considered.

Defra minister Emma Hardy replied: “Where lead ammunition has been restricted, the availability and suitability of non-lead alternatives were considered. The Health and Safety Executive recommended derogations to the restriction, including for elite athletes and outdoor shooting ranges with risk management measures, based on key criteria including enforceability. No derogations were recommended for historic firearms.”

What does this mean for muzzle-loaders?

The answer closes the door, for now, on the argument that antique and heritage arms should be treated differently because lead is integral to how they were designed to shoot, and because the volumes involved are tiny – and it means collectors and heritage shooters will rely on the same transition periods as everyone else, and on whatever non-lead loads can be proved safe in antique barrels. Many muzzle-loading rifles and pistols, and the black-powder shotguns used in historic disciplines, have no proven non-lead projectile; clubs under the Historical Breechloading Smallarms Association umbrella and the muzzle-loading associations have long argued that a narrow, enforceable exemption would cost the environment nothing.

UK shooters of modern rifles and shotguns already know the shape of what is coming: the restriction announced by the Government phases lead shot and large-calibre lead bullets out of live-quarry shooting, with transition periods for different disciplines and ammunition types.

Where do the agreed derogations apply?

The Health and Safety Executive’s recommended carve-outs are narrow: elite athletes preparing for international competition, and outdoor ranges operating risk management measures such as lead recovery. Ms Hardy’s answer makes clear that enforceability was a deciding criterion – the department’s view being that a historic-firearms exemption would be harder to police at the point of sale and in the field.

What happens next?

The heritage disciplines are expected to press their case again as the restriction’s detail is finalised; any change would need ministers to depart from the Health and Safety Executive’s advice. Shooters who use historic arms for live quarry should plan on the same transition dates as everyone else, and this title will report the timetable as it is confirmed.