Sound moderators

30/04/2026

The Policing and Crime Act 2026, which includes the removal of sound moderators from certification, received Royal Assent on 30 April 2026.  However, the commencement legislation will follow, setting out the exact date that the legislation comes into force.  As soon as this date is known, we will immediately let you know.

The new legislation allows you to possess a moderator if you have an FAC.  However, if you have a small-bore moderator for an air rifle in E&W, this may cause some confusion for the police: do you need a FAC for it, or not?  This will be clarified in due course by the Home Office in their guidance.

Of note is the Scottish position that possessing a small-bore moderator requires an AWC or a FAC.  So much more straightforward