Brexit & Shooting

As things stand, the UK will exit the EU on 29 March or, now more likely, some extended date a few weeks after that.

Leaving the EU with a ‘deal’ remains the UK Government’s top priority. However, at the time of writing (13 March 2019), there appears to be little prospect of a deal being agreed.

Some of you will be lucky enough to have plans for European hunting trips this year with your own firearms. Up until Brexit you would have made use of the excellent and efficient European Firearms Pass (EFP). But after Brexit, what are the options?

TRAVELLING TO THE EU WITH FIREARMS AFTER A NO-DEAL BREXIT

With a no deal Brexit, the EFP comes to an end for UK residents and you will no longer be able travel with a firearm under the EFP scheme.

To travel in the EU with a firearm, you would need to comply with whatever licensing requirements each EU country imposes, as well as UK import and export licensing requirements.

The UK Government has issued some guidance on that scenario, available from this link:
Travelling with a European Firearms Pass if there’s no Brexit deal

Please plan ahead and give yourself sufficient time - countries may have varying lead times for applying for licenses.

SHOOTING GUESTS FROM THE EU

If you are sponsoring an EU visitor to the UK who intends to take their own firearm with them, then you should apply to your local police force for a Visitor Permit, just like now, but you will not need to show a valid EFP as part of this process.

GOING FORWARD

The only certainty right now is uncertainty, but this, like all other issues, should eventually be resolved. Please don't panic. If you are travelling to the EU to hunt this year then please give yourself sufficient time to get things organised.

If in doubt, give SACS a shout. Run by members for members, we are there to help where we can.