Sound moderator deregulation: your questions answered

Following a long-standing campaign by BASC, unnecessary controls on sound moderators have finally been lifted in England, Wales and Scotland.

In practical terms, the most significant change is the removal of the variation requirement. Certificate holders no longer need to apply, pay for and wait for a variation to acquire a sound moderator, saving both time and money.

Sound moderators had been subject to firearms licensing controls for 58 years, so the change has raised a lot of questions, not least because the Home Office gave no advance notice to shooting organisations or the police before the law changed on Monday 29 June 2026.

Here are some of the questions shooters have been asking.

What happens to the sound moderator slot on my certificate, and can I repurpose it?

We expect that those slots will be obsolete, as they applied to moderators rather than rifles. However, if you contact your local firearms licensing team they may allow the slot to be used for something else, provided you can show “good reason” for the new item.

Do I need to send my certificate in to have moderators removed, and is there a cost?

You should not send your certificate to the police licensing department to have a moderator removed, as it would create needless work for the police. It will be removed automatically on renewal, variation, change of address or a similar transaction. For neatness, it may be a good idea to draw a line through a moderator entry on your certificate and annotate it with suitable words, such as: “No longer subject to licensing since 29 June 2026.”

Is there a limit on how many sound moderators I can own?

No.

Do I need to go to an RFD to buy a moderator?

You do not need to go to a registered firearms dealer to buy a sound moderator. They are available from a variety of online sources as well as bricks-and-mortar retail outlets.

Is distance selling, including online sales, of sound moderators allowed?

Yes, distance selling, including selling sound moderators online, is permitted. This is because there is no longer any requirement for the sale and delivery of a sound moderator to be conducted on a face-to-face basis. Registered firearms dealers no longer have to account for sound moderators in their registers.

Do sound moderators still need to be securely stored?

Sound moderators no longer need to be stored securely and are no longer subject to any audit trail or similar accountability.

Who is responsible for ensuring the buyer has authority to acquire one?

It is the buyer’s responsibility to ensure they have the authority to purchase.

Do sound moderators need to be proofed?

Sound moderators do not have to be proof tested before sale. These provisions apply to both complete sound moderators and their component parts, such as baffles or bodies.

How does this affect moderators for shotguns and sub-12ft/lb air rifles?

The change in the law makes it an offence to possess a sound moderator for a Section 1 firearm without a certificate. If a moderator can be used with another firearm, such as a shotgun or air rifle, then you do not need a certificate to possess it.

What about Northern Ireland?

Moderators remain subject to firearms licensing controls in Northern Ireland. If you are a Great Britain resident considering a temporary visit to Northern Ireland and intend to take moderators of any type, they may need a certificate of approval from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), depending on your individual circumstances. BASC members should contact the BASC NI office for advice.

Have flash hiders been deregulated as well?

Yes.

Dr Conor O’Gorman is BASC’s head of policy and campaigns. He has over 25 years of experience in conservation and land management and a keen interest in wild grey partridges. Contact him at [email protected].