These Regulations amend the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997 (“the Act”) and the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 2004 (“the 2004 Order”) in order to complete the implementation in the United Kingdom of Directive 2008/51/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 21st May 2008 on control of the acquisition and possession of weapons (OJ No. L 179, 8.7.08, p5) which amends Directive 91/477/EEC of 18th June 1991.