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Buying Deactivated Guns
Deactivation certificates
Deactivated firearms must be accompanied by a valid deactivation certificate to be legally bought, sold or transferred in the UK. Guns deactivated to the post-2016 EU standard carry a certificate issued by the proof house. Older deactivations were carried out to a less stringent pre-2016 standard and cannot be upgraded. Always confirm the certificate is present and matches the firearm before purchasing.
No licence required
A Firearms Certificate is not required to own a deactivated firearm in the UK, provided it meets the correct deactivation standard. The certificate is still essential — it is your proof that the deactivation is genuine. Buying without one carries legal risk regardless of the seller's assurances.
What to check
Inspect the deactivation welds and confirm they match the certificate. The proof house mark should appear on the firearm alongside the deactivation date. Check that the certificate serial number matches the gun, and retain all paperwork as a permanent record of ownership.
Selling a Deactivated Firearm?
Include the original firearm type, calibre, deactivation standard (pre- or post-2016) and certificate reference in your listing. Buyers will want clear photographs of the deactivation marks, the proof house stamp, and the certificate itself.
Browse all deactivated guns for sale, or explore replica firearms on Gunstar.
