Explanatory note

These Regulations prescribe the specifications that imitation firearms must conform to, pursuant to section 39(1) of the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 (“the 2006 Act”). The underlying purpose is to prevent imitation firearms from being converted into functioning firearms.

Under section 39(2) of the 2006 Act, a person is guilty of an offence if they: manufacture an imitation firearm which does not conform to the prescribed specifications; modify an imitation firearm so that it ceases to conform; modify a firearm to create an imitation firearm that does not conform; or import into Great Britain an imitation firearm which does not so conform.

Regulation 4 sets out the specifications for blank-firing imitation firearms. Regulation 6 sets out the specifications for blank firing imitation revolvers.

Regulation 7 sets out an exemption, the effect of which is to create a defence for a person charged with importing an imitation firearm which does not conform to the specifications, if their conduct was only for the purpose of making the imitation firearm available for specific purposes, including those of a museum or gallery, a theatrical performance, the production of films and television programmes, the organization of historical enactments, or the purposes of functions that a person has in his capacity as a person in the service of Her Majesty.