New UK regulations are about to change how you buy and sell guns online.
Watch this short message from Jeff, our Director, explaining what’s changing, why it matters, and how it helps keep our community safe and trusted.
As part of the Online Safety Act, Ofcom is introducing new rules that require online platforms to make their services safer and ensure users are accountable for their actions. These changes will impact how you use Gunstar and other online marketplaces when buying or selling firearms.
Here’s what you need to know.
What’s Changing?
From 25th July, all Gunstar users will need to log in or register before they can use the messaging and phone contact features on the platform.
This change is in line with Ofcom’s upcoming enforcement of the Online Safety Act, which places more responsibility on online services to:
- Deter abuse, scams, and misuse.
- Ensure users are traceable and accountable for the messages they send.
- Help protect vulnerable users and prevent illegal activity.
We’re taking this step now to stay ahead of the requirements and to maintain the safe, trusted community we’ve built together.
Why Are These Rules Being Introduced?
The Online Safety Act is designed to make the internet safer for everyone by reducing the risk of harm and ensuring platforms take reasonable steps to protect their users.
For marketplaces like Gunstar, where users connect to buy and sell firearms, this means tighter controls around who can contact whom, and more robust checks to prevent misuse.
The law recognises that gun sales are already heavily regulated in the UK:
- Buyers under 18 cannot legally own a firearm.
- Buyers aged 12–17 can only shoot under supervision, with appropriate certificates.
- Sellers are legally responsible for checking the buyer’s certificate and verifying their eligibility.
Our role as a platform is to facilitate safe communication and help deter fraudulent or abusive behaviour, not to replace the seller’s legal duties.
Our Commitment to Safety
We already work closely with the National Crime Agency (NCA) and UK police forces to tackle fraud and support investigations, particularly around firearms certificate misuse.
We’re also proud to support Project RUTIC - Know Your UK Firearms Documents, which helps prevent stolen or fake certificates being used to unlawfully acquire legally held firearms.
If you’re selling firearms or ammunition, please also remember to:
- Always inspect the original certificate.
- Watch out for unusually high offers or suspicious behaviour.
- Compare certificate details carefully with your own records.
What Does This Mean for You?
For now, it’s simple:
- From 25th July, you’ll need to log in or create an account before you can send messages or access phone contact details on Gunstar.
- Logging in is free, quick, and only needs to be done once.
We already work closely with the Police and the National Crime Agency (NCA) to support investigations and tackle fraud, and these new measures will help strengthen that partnership.
Looking Ahead
We’re monitoring Ofcom’s updates closely and are ready to adapt if further changes are needed. For now, requiring all users to log in is an important step toward compliance and a safer marketplace for everyone.
We’re proud of the responsible, trusted community we’ve built, and we’ll keep working to protect it.
If you have any questions about these changes or your responsibilities as a buyer or seller, please get in touch with our team.
Thank you for helping us keep Gunstar safe, compliant, and trusted.
