SOUND MODERATORS – “RESTRICTED FIREARMS” OR A USEFUL AND OFTEN NECESSARY ACCESSORY?

Section 4 (2) (d) of Statutory Instrument 21 of 2008, Firearms (Restricted Firearms and Ammunition) Order, 2008 provides that silencers capable of being used only with long rifled rim-fire firearms are defined as Restricted Firearms, subject to additional licensing criteria. The definition includes “any devices fitted or capable of being fitted to the firearms for the purpose of moderating or reducing the sound made on their discharge”. For deer hunters and others in Ireland, this definition is widely regarded as illogical and unnecessary, while militating against user hearing protection and efficient control and management of deer in certain circumstances.

Across the water, where there are currently 198,602 sound moderators covered by firearms certificates, the UK Home Office has launched a consultation on proposed changes to firearms licensing controls for sound moderators. Applicable to England, Scotland, and Wales, this consultation seeks input on using a legislative reform order under the UK.’s Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006 to exclude sound moderators from firearms licensing.

The proposed amendment to the (UK) Firearms Act 1968, specifically in Section 57(1)(d) of that Act, aims to remove the reference to sound moderators. This change reflects the belief, seemingly now adopted by the UK Home Office, that sound moderators, though firearm accessories, do not themselves pose any inherent dangers, and their exclusion from licensing controls will not compromise public safety whilst saving time, work, and cost for all those involved.

To observers here in Ireland, this is an eminently sensible move, and we will follow the results of this consultation process carefully.

The full background to the Consultation process can be accessed HERE.