I heard today that the UK has changed the law concerning antique from 1898 to 1890, is this correct? This will be bad for the UK vendors bringing guns over here I would think.
If there is a change, and I have not heard about it as yet, is there is it probably relates to regulations about Value Added Tax or export licences and I doubt if it will affect the market in the States.
You work in a date line. For Firearms Law purposes in the U.K. the test for breech loaders is “is it on the Obsolete Calibres List?” (but it also has to be Pre-1939).
Therefore a 12 bore gun made in 1875 requires a Shotgun Certificate to own it in the U.K.(but an identical gun chambered for 14, 24 or 32 bore cartridges would not - unless you intended to use it).
Another rumor that I had to substantiate was a change in visitors permits, and the closing of the customs office in Manchester. That’s the desk you clear guns through on arrival in the UK.
That myth was total BS, and cost me probably $100 in phone calls just to make sure.
I brought firearms through Manchester airport without the slightest problems Monday afternoon.
They had never even heard of such nonsense. Pointing out, that, as the gateway to the north, their economy depends on traveling sportsman.
Makes me wonder where these myths come from, they are incredibly disruptive to traveling sportsman.
It was relayed to me while talking to a well-known firearms dealer. I had to call him back and tell him that he was horrendously mistaken. And whomever told him that was full of BS.
True story, not a myth. Same here in the States now as well, to EXPORT something the date considered antique is now 1889.
Is that change on our end or theirs? If so and ours is that a BATF or Customs change. If theirs has an Auction house like Holt’s made a change in their policy?
The change has happened in both the UK and the USA. Changes made on a Federal level. I'm not sure but I believe it is related to a UN small arms control treaty. The auction houses are bound by law, they use the new dates when exporting. I now get an SIEL(export permit in the UK) for all guns 1890 manufacture date or newer. Just more red tape and delays but totally manageable. A bit of a PIA at first, now we have it worked out. No additional costs involved, just time.
The ATF is responsible for IMPORTING firearms, they have nothing to do with exporting. Exporting was under DOD, I believe now it is under the Commerce dept. I export through a licensed exporter, I am a licensed importer. Nothing is easy these days OMW, I wish it were.
The rules about dates changed in the UK back in 2012 but nobody told anybody until several years later!
The old rules were that guns made before 1896 could be exported under an Open General Licence which only required one to keep records, not apply for an individual licence.
All guns made in 1897 or later needed an export licence and an application for an SIEL (Single Individual Export Licence) for those made in 1899 or later needed to be supported by an ATF Form 6.
Under the 2012 rules (implemented about 5 or 6 years late I seem to remember), usually referred to as 'PL9010', any shotgun (not a military weapon) made in 1889 or before doesn't need any kind of export licence.
Those made from 1890 to 1898 inclusive do need an export licence supported by an End User Undertaking but obviously no Form 6.
Those made after 1898 need an export licence supported by a End User Undertaking plus a Form 6.
There are no government charges for any of the above but they do take a few weeks to process, you have to registered with SPIRE and they occasionally ask you really stupid clarification questions.
Best policy is to smile and say 'how high'!
Note: the responsibility for proving the date of manufacture lies with the exporter, there have been cases where someone took an educated guess and came unstuck. Not a pleasant experience, I am sure! The customs have the final word and ignorance is no defence.
I believe there are still Open General Export Licences for more modern guns but that is a whole different story and I don't claim to know anything about them!