Quote Originally Posted by grahamrob View Post
Is it the case with modern air rifles that when you put them on an FAC they stay that way? not sure how that works with antique air rifles.
Yes modern air rifles its a case that once a firearm always a firearm. This is why putting a modern air rifle on fac will reduce the value, Only route off ticket is deactivation or destruction of reciever & barrel.
With an antique or section 58 it can be held without ticket as antique or obsolete calibre but you cannot shoot it without the requisite ticket.
If you want to revert to not using it or sell as antique it can be removed from your ticket. Best not have any live ammo for it in your posession though!

One crazy aspect of this is that our yacht club uses two Winchester signal cannons to start races, Obsolete 10 bore calibre. They used to live on a shelf above the bar on full display. Today they have to be locked away & one of the club officers holds an fac for them. Only they can technicaly access & use them. Yet take them off ticket & they can go back on their shelf behind the bar!
The intent to use is the key.

It may be that this aspect of the rules may be tightened up on by government one day, in the meantime it means a lot of guns can be still be shot without deactivating them afterwards!