On the 29 June 2026, the new changes to the law on sound moderators and flash suppressors came into force under Section 44 and Schedule 5 of the Crime and Policing Act 2026.
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.
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.