WWI Re-enactors Banned from Taking Antique Rifles to France

WWI Re-enactors Banned from Taking Antique Rifles to France:
"Members of the Great War Society, a WWI re-enactment group which represents the Accrington Pals, has come under scrutiny for anti-terror laws after attempting to travel to France with antique rifles to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.
The Lee-Enfield bolt-action rifles, while disabled, still attracted attention aft
er the most recent terror attacks in Paris.
Instead of using their own rifles, thought to date back to 1907, the group was told to buy replica rifles in France for £1,200 to use in their reenactment of the Pals’ advance across “No Man’s Land” towards German lines.
Unfortunately, members of the society caught with their rifles still faced charges for firearms offenses. ...Under the new EU Firearms Directive, however, rifles are required to have their magazines fixed or blocked.
...The UK Home Office told the society their rifles were permissible, but to their remiss, the bayonets were not"