Changes to the law on sound moderators and flash suppressors now in force

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Today (29 June 2026), changes to the law on sound moderators and flash suppressors come into force under Section 44 and Schedule 5 of the Crime and Policing Act 2026.

This is a welcome change that removes unnecessary administration for firearm certificate holders, Registered Firearms Dealers and police firearms licensing departments, while keeping appropriate safeguards in place. 

What has changed?

Until today, sound moderators for Section 1 firearms were treated as firearms in their own right because they formed part of the legal definition of a firearm under the Firearms Act 1968. As a result, anyone wishing to acquire or dispose of a sound moderator had to apply to their police firearms licensing department for a variation to their Firearm Certificate.

From today, that requirement has been removed.

Firearm Certificate holders will no longer need to apply and pay for a certificate variation each time they buy or dispose of a sound moderator. Police firearms licensing departments will no longer have to process those applications, and Registered Firearms Dealers will no longer be required to keep records of those transactions.

What hasn’t changed?

This does not mean that sound moderators are now freely available to everyone.

The new legislation creates an offence of possessing a relevant accessory without holding a valid Firearm Certificate or Shotgun Certificate, unless a statutory exemption applies.

What about shotguns and air weapons?

There is no change to the law relating to moderators for shotguns or air weapons.

These have never required certificate authority and that remains the case.

However, if a moderator intended for an air weapon is fitted to a Section 1 firearm, the person possessing it must still hold a valid Firearm Certificate or Shotgun Certificate, unless a statutory exemption applies.

Why has the law changed?

The Government’s intention is to remove unnecessary bureaucracy while ensuring these accessories remain in the hands of those who have a legitimate reason to possess them and who have already been subject to the suitability checks required to hold a firearm certificate.

The changes are expected to reduce costs and administrative work for certificate holders, Registered Firearms Dealers and police firearms licensing departments, allowing licensing teams to focus their resources where they are needed most.

NGO Comment

Livia Brynin, Firearms Advisor to the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation, said:

“This is a common-sense change that removes unnecessary bureaucracy without weakening public safety. For many years, certificate holders, Registered Firearms Dealers and police firearms licensing departments have had to spend time and money dealing with paperwork that added little practical value. By removing the requirement to authorise sound moderators separately, the Government has reduced that burden while ensuring these items remain available only to those who are lawfully entitled to possess them.

“This is a sensible, proportionate change that should make life easier for responsible firearms owners, reduce pressure on licensing departments and allow police resources to be focused where they are needed most. The NGO welcomes this change and the practical benefits it will bring to our members.”

Members should remember that, while the law on sound moderators has changed, all other firearms legislation remains unchanged, and everyone must continue to comply with the conditions of their certificates and all other legal requirements.

Today (29 June 2026), changes to the law on sound moderators and flash suppressors come into force under Section 44 and Schedule 5 of the Crime and Policing Act 2026.

This is a welcome change that removes unnecessary administration for firearm certificate holders, Registered Firearms Dealers and police firearms licensing departments, while keeping appropriate safeguards in place. 

ENDS

The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation (NGO) represents the gamekeepers of England and Wales. The NGO defends and promotes gamekeeping and gamekeepers and works to ensure high standards throughout the profession.

The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation was founded in 1997 by a group of gamekeepers who felt that keepering was threatened by public misunderstanding and poor representation. Today, there are 13,000 members of the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation.  www.nationalgamekeepers.org.uk