Section 58(2) of the Firearms Act 1968 provides for an exemption for antique firearms held as a curio or ornament. Following on the deliberations and recommendations of The Law Commission the 1968 Act is shortly to be amended to include a definition of what constitutes an antique firearm. Mark Mastaglio of FFC, who used to be on the Statutory Historic Weapons Panel and was asked by the Law Commission for advice, welcomes the change, but states “there will still be a need for expert assessment of age, provenance, calibre and mode of operation of each gun under consideration – those that do not fit the definition will not benefit from the section 58(2) exemption no matter how they are held but those which are antiques will.” FFC will continue to provide expert assessment of old guns to determine whether or not they are antiques or firearms of Historical Interest.