This is an update to the prior article (Research & Dialogue About Importing Firearms to the UK), which raised issues and questions related to the implementation of the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 in the UK and the affect of this legislation on prop collectors and dealers.
As I understand it, this went into effect on October 1, 2007. The applicable passages to the collection of original props is as follows:
36 Manufacture, import and sale of realistic imitation firearms
(1) A person is guilty of an offence if-
(a) he manufactures a realistic imitation firearm;
(b) he modifies an imitation firearm so that it becomes a realistic imitation firearm;
(c) he sells a realistic imitation firearm; or
(d) he brings a realistic imitation firearm into Great Britain or causes one to be brought into Great Britain.
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38 Meaning of “realistic imitation firearm”
(1) In sections 36 and 37 “realistic imitation firearm” means an imitation firearm which-
(a) has an appearance that is so realistic as to make it indistinguishable, for all practical purposes, from a real firearm; and
(b) is neither a de-activated firearm nor itself an antique.(2) For the purposes of this section, an imitation firearm is not (except by virtue of subsection (3)(b)) to be regarded as distinguishable from a real firearm for any practical purpose if it could be so distinguished only-
(a) by an expert;
(b) on a close examination; or
(c) as a result of an attempt to load or to fire it.
Interestingly, I noticed on The Prop Store of London website this morning a new item listing, “Prop Heckler-Koch HK G36 Assault Rifle from V for Vendetta“, in which the following clause was included:
Due to recent legislation this prop is only available for UK export, unless it can be proven that the prop will only be used in licensed re-enactments, museums, galleries or re-used in television and film productions.
So it appears this new policy for the UK’s largest original prop dealer is a direct consequence of the newly enacted legislation. I would be interested to learn what the qualification process is for demonstrating use as outlined in the policy (licensed re-enactments, museums, galleries, etc.).
I think the PSoL approach is informative, and I wonder what the implications are for U.S.-based prop dealers and resellers, and if those retailers in the states are even aware of the new legislation (though, a dealer being based outside of the UK, I assume the buyer of such pieces would bear the consequences).
If anyone has any comments or information to share, please feel free to post a Reader Comment below or get in touch with me directly.
Jason De Bord