Firearms and Weapons within the MVT
This information is given to the best of our ability using the information available at the time of writing . Members are advised to check the source information themselves.
The role of the Military Vehicle Trust is to restore and preserve military vehicles of historical interest, along with “ephemera relating to such vehicles, their history and development”. On that basis some members own tanks, vehicles with mounted weapons and towed artillery but many members also collect uniforms and kit, which includes personal weapons.
This section is only intended as a brief guide to the purchase and ownership of such weapons related to our specific charitable aims and can be broken down under a number of sub-headings.
Deactivated Firearms “Deacts”
A Deactivated Firearm is a weapon that has been deactivated in accordance with the legal requirements, at which point it then ceases to be classified as a firearm. The ‘deact’ will have been professionally rendered inoperable by the use of cutting, machining, grinding, pinning, welding, etc in such a way that it cannot be converted back into a working firearm and is no longer capable of discharging any bullet, missile or other projectile.
Any weapon can be deactivated so this applies not only to personal weapons, but vehicle-mounted guns and towed artillery.
Within the UK. no licence or permit is required to own a deact but the holder must be over the age of 18.
All deactivated firearms sold, gifted or otherwise transferred must be notified to the Home Office, with any earlier deactivated firearms needing to be re-deactivated to the current standard on transfer.
Realistic Imitation Firearms (RIFs)
A Realistic Imitation Firearm is defined as having the appearance that is so realistic as to make it indistinguishable from a real firearm, and is neither a deactivated firearm nor is an antique.
It is an offence to own a RIF without a specific reason, one of which is organising or taking part in re-enactment activities. As the MVT is officially recognised as a re-enactment group, trust members over 18 years of age can legitimately purchase, own and display RIFs. As vendors must be able to demonstrate that they have sold a RIF to someone for one of the specified reasons, they need to see proof of current MVT membership and they will check to ensure that the membership is still valid.
If you wish to sell your RIF, then you must ensure the purchaser is over 18 years of age and check that they belong an acknowledged historical re-enactment group. You must keep a record of their details.
Blank Firing Guns
Blank Firing Guns are replica guns which use blank cartridges but do not fire projectiles from the barrel. As they replicate the sound of a real gun they tend to be favoured over deacts and RIF by re-enactors for use in the re-creation of battle scenarios.
Blank firing guns that are top venting can be legally purchased and used in the UK, but as with RIF ownership above, you need a specific reason to own a realistic blank firer. The rules and guidance mentioned in RIF ownership apply the in the same way for blank firing guns, so MVT members over 18 years of age can legitimately purchase, own and then use them in organising or taking part in re-enactment displays.
Smoke Dischargers
Whilst smoke dischargers fitted to military vehicle might not immediately appear to be a firearm, owners should be aware that as they are “designed for the discharge of a noxious gas”, they are prohibited weapons. The only safe way to keep own these is to get them properly deactivated or replace them with realistic dummy units. However, we have no knowledge of a proof house that will undertake the deactivation and whilst there are vehicles fitted with disabled units, we have no records of any prosecutions establishing a precedent and therefore offering guidance.
Other Firearms
Other personal weapons, including live firearms, shot guns, air weapons and antique firearms, are outside the parameters of the MVT and are therefore not included in this guidance.
Owners who wish to retain the original armament on their tank, weapon-mounted vehicle or towed artillery as live-firers must hold a current Section 1 Firearms Certificate. Apart from needing to demonstrate they have good reason to own an active firearm, they must also meet other stringent standards. As this is a difficult process and inapplicable to most owners, it is not something that can be covered here.
Carrying Firearms in a Public Place
While MVT members may legitimately own and display deacts, RIFs and blank firing guns, it is an offence to display them (or discharge blank firers) in a public place without a very proper reason.
Driving a military vehicle on the public highway, even on route to a show with, for example, a .50 cal mounted on the ring mount or pedestal, would not be acceptable, nor would a rifle placed into the holders on the dashboard or clips on a vehicle. Even a dummy rifle butt protruding from the leather holster on a motorcycle or jeep could be classed as an offence.
Needless to say carrying personal weapons in a public place would be a foolish offence and besides the risk of causing alarm by displaying something that appears to be a weapon, you are very likely to find a police armed response team taking control, potentially with tragic consequences.
However it might well be acceptable to display a RIF or deact at a military-themed show or event, with the approval of the organisers.
This section is only intended as a brief guide to the purchase and ownership of such weapons related to our specific charitable aims and can be broken down under a number of sub-headings.
Deactivated Firearms “Deacts”
A Deactivated Firearm is a weapon that has been deactivated in accordance with the legal requirements, at which point it then ceases to be classified as a firearm. The ‘deact’ will have been professionally rendered inoperable by the use of cutting, machining, grinding, pinning, welding, etc in such a way that it cannot be converted back into a working firearm and is no longer capable of discharging any bullet, missile or other projectile.
Any weapon can be deactivated so this applies not only to personal weapons, but vehicle-mounted guns and towed artillery.
Within the UK. no licence or permit is required to own a deact but the holder must be over the age of 18.
All deactivated firearms sold, gifted or otherwise transferred must be notified to the Home Office, with any earlier deactivated firearms needing to be re-deactivated to the current standard on transfer.
Realistic Imitation Firearms (RIFs)
A Realistic Imitation Firearm is defined as having the appearance that is so realistic as to make it indistinguishable from a real firearm, and is neither a deactivated firearm nor is an antique.
It is an offence to own a RIF without a specific reason, one of which is organising or taking part in re-enactment activities. As the MVT is officially recognised as a re-enactment group, trust members over 18 years of age can legitimately purchase, own and display RIFs. As vendors must be able to demonstrate that they have sold a RIF to someone for one of the specified reasons, they need to see proof of current MVT membership and they will check to ensure that the membership is still valid.
If you wish to sell your RIF, then you must ensure the purchaser is over 18 years of age and check that they belong an acknowledged historical re-enactment group. You must keep a record of their details.
Blank Firing Guns
Blank Firing Guns are replica guns which use blank cartridges but do not fire projectiles from the barrel. As they replicate the sound of a real gun they tend to be favoured over deacts and RIF by re-enactors for use in the re-creation of battle scenarios.
Blank firing guns that are top venting can be legally purchased and used in the UK, but as with RIF ownership above, you need a specific reason to own a realistic blank firer. The rules and guidance mentioned in RIF ownership apply the in the same way for blank firing guns, so MVT members over 18 years of age can legitimately purchase, own and then use them in organising or taking part in re-enactment displays.
Smoke Dischargers
Whilst smoke dischargers fitted to military vehicle might not immediately appear to be a firearm, owners should be aware that as they are “designed for the discharge of a noxious gas”, they are prohibited weapons. The only safe way to keep own these is to get them properly deactivated or replace them with realistic dummy units. However, we have no knowledge of a proof house that will undertake the deactivation and whilst there are vehicles fitted with disabled units, we have no records of any prosecutions establishing a precedent and therefore offering guidance.
Other Firearms
Other personal weapons, including live firearms, shot guns, air weapons and antique firearms, are outside the parameters of the MVT and are therefore not included in this guidance.
Owners who wish to retain the original armament on their tank, weapon-mounted vehicle or towed artillery as live-firers must hold a current Section 1 Firearms Certificate. Apart from needing to demonstrate they have good reason to own an active firearm, they must also meet other stringent standards. As this is a difficult process and inapplicable to most owners, it is not something that can be covered here.
Carrying Firearms in a Public Place
While MVT members may legitimately own and display deacts, RIFs and blank firing guns, it is an offence to display them (or discharge blank firers) in a public place without a very proper reason.
Driving a military vehicle on the public highway, even on route to a show with, for example, a .50 cal mounted on the ring mount or pedestal, would not be acceptable, nor would a rifle placed into the holders on the dashboard or clips on a vehicle. Even a dummy rifle butt protruding from the leather holster on a motorcycle or jeep could be classed as an offence.
Needless to say carrying personal weapons in a public place would be a foolish offence and besides the risk of causing alarm by displaying something that appears to be a weapon, you are very likely to find a police armed response team taking control, potentially with tragic consequences.
However it might well be acceptable to display a RIF or deact at a military-themed show or event, with the approval of the organisers.
