250Modification of firearms

250 Modification of firearms (1) In this section: length of the stock means the distance from the front of the trigger, or if there is more than 1 trigger, from the front of the rearmost trigger, to the centre of the rear butt plate or stock. (2) A person must not, except with the written approval of the registrar, modify a firearm that is— (a) a smoothbore shotgun or a combination smoothbore shotgun and rifle; or (b) a rifle, other than a combination smoothbore shotgun and rifle or an airgun; or (c) an airgun— (i) the barrel of which is rifled; or (ii) that has a front-end cocking action known as the underlever principle or a pump up or a pneumatic action; or (iii) that is designed to be used solely for tranquillising, immobilising, or administering vaccines or other medicines to, animals; or (iv) that is capable of discharging projectiles in rapid succession by 1 pressure of the trigger. (3) A firearm referred to in subsection (2) is taken to have been modified if— (a) for a smoothbore shotgun or a combination smoothbore shotgun and rifle— (i) the length of the barrel or, if it has more than 1 barrel, of the longer or longest barrel, is less than 400mm; or (iv) the overall length is less than 700mm; or (b) for a rifle, other than a combination smoothbore shotgun and rifle or an airgun— (i) the length of the barrel or, if it has more than 1 barrel, of the longer or longest barrel, is less than 400mm; or (iv) the overall length is less than 800mm; or (c) for an airgun referred to in subsection (2) (c)— (i) the length of the barrel is less than 400mm; or (iv) the overall length is less than 700mm. (4) In considering whether to give approval under subsection (2), the registrar must have regard to the necessity for the modification and whether the giving of the approval would be likely to prejudice public safety. (5) If the modification to which an approval relates has not been made before the end of the period 6 months commencing on the date of the approval, the approval ceases to have effect on the end of that period.