Expanding Ammunition
The Firearms Act 1968 (as amended) prohibits the possession of expanding ammunition but there are some exceptions to the rule. Section 5A(4) allows a condition to be added to a firearm certificate for possession of expanding ammunition for:
- the lawful shooting of deer
- the shooting of vermin or, in the case of carrying on activities in connection with the management of any estate, other wildlife
- the humane killing of animals
- the shooting of animals for the protection of other animals or humans
Schedule 2 of The Deer Act 1991 prohibits the use of any ammunition, other than soft-nosed or hollow-point, for the killing of deer. Therefore, if you use a weapon for deer stalking, you will require an authority on your firearm certificate to acquire and possess expanding ammunition.
Similarly, expanding ammunition should be used for the killing of large vermin/pest species, such as fox, in order to ensure a quick kill and prevent unnecessary suffering
