There have been changes to the Firearms 1998 Act which will take effect from this year.

New changes to the act include: the prescribed forms for firearm and shotgun certificates.

The updated act enforces the importance of recording of the “unique identifying mark” on the firearm or shotgun or its component part, as the owner has an 'obligtion' to inform the chief office of police if the gun or certificate is lost or destroyed. It also includes any fiream or shotgn ammunition to which the certificate relates.

This is under section 53 of the Firearms Act 1968 that gives the Secretary of State a power to make rules prescribing the form of certificates and other things that need prescribing under the Act. The rules made under section 53 are the Firearms Rules 1998 (“the Firearms Rules”).

Other changes to the act include the prescribed forms for applying for a firearm or shotgun certificate.  The prescribed forms for applying for a firearm or shotgun certificate, or to vary a certificate are Forms 201 and 201V. Firearms certificates are issued using Form 202 and shotgun certificates are issued using Form 204.

Rules also have been ammended to "clarify the condition imposed" on the grant or renewal of a firearm or shotgun certificate. It requires the holder of the certificate to inform the chief officer of police by whom the certificate was granted as soon as possible within seven days, of the theft, loss, or of the theft, loss, deactivation or  any firearm, shotgun or ammunition to which the certificate relates.

The new and updated rules have been in effect since May 17.

For more informtion https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/circular-0022021-the-firearms-amendment-rules-2021/circular-0022021-the-firearms-amendment-rules-2021