From 29th June 2026, Sound Moderators are no longer a licensable item and therefore do not need to be listed on a Firearms Certificate.
What this means for you:
- No need to return your certificate
You do not need to send your Firearm Certificate back to have Sound Moderators removed. Any existing Sound Moderators and associated authorities will be removed at your next renewal or variation.
- Do not notify us of acquisitions
Even though a live Firearm Certificate is required to purchase a Sound Moderator there is no requirement to inform the Firearms Licensing Department if you acquire a Sound Moderator.
- Do not include on applications
Sound Moderators should not be listed on any grant, renewal, or variation application. FEO will not consider Sound Moderators at renewal or Grant of a Firearm Certificate. Existing Sound Moderators will be removed from applications
- Existing authorities are no longer valid
Any existing Sound Moderator authorities on your certificate are no longer valid and cannot be used for one-for-one variations.
Below are some answers to the FAQ's these answers have been supplied by the Collage Of Policing, there will be some repetition to some of the information articulate above:
Appendix A – FAQs
Q. Is it necessary to keep sound moderators in a security cabinet? No. There is no legal requirement to store sound moderators in a security cabinet and any certificate condition relating specifically to sound moderators no longer applies.
Q. Should certificate holders return certificates to have moderators removed? No. Existing entries may remain until renewal and have no continuing legal effect.
Q. Do RFDs still need to enter moderator transactions into their register? No, except for transactions taking place before 29 June 2026.
Q. Can a certificate holder buy a moderator without authority shown on a certificate? Yes.
Q. Can sound moderators be sold by mail order? Yes.
Q. Does the seller need to check certificate status? No.
Q. Does a pre-existing moderator authority still have any legal status? No. It may remain printed on the certificate but has no legal effect.
Q. Does deregulation create a vacant authority? No.
Q. Can a historic moderator authority support a one-for-one variation? No.
Q. Do immediate changes need to be made to existing certificates? No. Existing entries can remain until renewal.
Q. Should sound moderators appear on Visitor Permit applications? No. They are no longer subject to licensing controls and do not need to be listed.
Q. Why does possession of a shotgun certificate permit lawful possession of a sound moderator? The intention is to ensure legitimate certificate holders are not criminalised by the new offence.
Q. What is the purpose of the new offence? To target possession connected with unlawfully held firearms rather than lawful shooters.
Q. What about dual-purpose moderators that fit air weapons and firearms? Officers should assess the full circumstances rather than relying solely on possession of the moderator.