Good News for Rifle Shooters: Sound Moderators Are Finally Off Ticket

If you spend any time out in the field or on the range, you know how painful the variation process used to be for sound moderators. Filling out paperwork, paying police fees, and waiting weeks on end just to buy an inert metal tube was enough to test anyone's patience.

Thankfully, as of 29th June 2026, common sense has finally prevailed.

Section 44 of the Crime and Policing Act 2026 is now in force across England, Scotland, and Wales, removing sound moderators and flash suppressors from the legal definition of a firearm.

Here is what the update means for your day-to-day shooting, how the buying process works now, and what you still need to keep in mind.

What Has Changed?

In the past, moderators for Section 1 firearms were classed as actual firearms under the Firearms Act 1968. That meant every single moderators required an individual slot on your Firearm Certificate. Wanting a spare unit, a lightweight option for stalking, or simply replacing a corroded moderator meant putting in a variation request and waiting on your local police licensing team.

That requirement has been completely scrapped.

Because moderators are no longer treated as firearms, you no longer need a variation to acquire, replace, or swap one out. The change lifts a massive administrative burden off overworked police licensing departments, who used to spend roughly a third of their time processing moderator entries on the national database.

How Buying a Moderator Works Now

The new buying process is as straightforward as it gets.

As long as you hold a valid Firearm Certificate or Shotgun Certificate, you can walk straight into a gun shop, pick a moderator off the shelf, and head home with it the same day.

• No variation forms.

• No police fees.

• No waiting for your ticket to come back in the post.

Registered Firearms Dealers are no longer required to write moderators onto your certificate or log the individual transaction with the police. You simply show your valid certificate as proof that you are a licensed shooter, pick your kit, and you are set.

The Legal Safeguards Still in Place

While the red tape has been cut, moderators are not a free-for-all for the general public.

The 2026 Act introduced a specific new offence: it is illegal to possess a sound moderator designed for a Section 1 firearm unless you hold a valid FAC or SGC.

The law has essentially shifted from tracking the piece of metal to verifying the person holding it. As long as you are a valid certificate holder, you are legally covered to own and use one.

For air rifle and shotgun shooters, nothing changes. Moderators for air weapons and shotguns have never required a certificate, and that remains the case today.

Finding the Right Fit for Your Rifle

Now that you do not have to jump through hoops every time you want to try a new setup, picking the right moderator comes down to what works best for your rifle, calibre, and shooting style.

Whether you are looking for a lightweight over-barrel unit to keep your stalker balanced or a heavy-duty option for long range target work, there are plenty of great designs on the market.

If you are thinking about taking advantage of the new rules and upgrading your setup, pop in and see us at Driven Sporting, shop moderators online here or us a call. We will happily walk you through thread pitches, baffle materials, and weights to make sure you get the ideal match for your setup.