Firearms licensing is still a postcode lottery 

A National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) league table reveals stark disparities in licensing application processing times across England and Wales. The Countryside Alliance has labelled the system “broken” and is urging immediate “root and branch” reform. The NPCC’s league table assesses police forces based on two metrics: the percentage of applications completed within four months and the number of temporary permits issued. While Derbyshire Constabulary processed 99% of 2,819 applications within the target timeframe and issued no temporary permits, other forces lagged significantly. Cambridgeshire Constabulary processed only 32% of 2,470 applications within four months and had 621 temporary permits on issue. Such disparities have led to what many have described as a “postcode lottery” for applicants.

Calls for a Centralised Licensing Authority

The Countryside Alliance argues that the current system, rooted in legislation more than a century old, is ill-equipped to meet modern demands. It advocates for the establishment of a centralised, digitised licensing authority, akin to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), to ensure uniformity across regions. Such a move, it contends, would alleviate the burden on individual police forces and provide a more efficient service for applicants.

Delays in processing firearms and shotgun certificates have tangible consequences for rural communities. Farmers, gamekeepers and pest controllers rely on timely renewals to manage livestock protection and crop preservation effectively. Extended waiting periods can hinder their ability to control pests and predators, directly impacting agricultural productivity and animal welfare.

In response to mounting concerns, some police forces have taken proactive measures. Cumbria Police, for instance, successfully cleared a backlog of 1,795 non-complex applications in 2024 and now aims to process all new non-complex renewals within eight weeks and grants within 12 weeks. This progress followed collaborative efforts with BASC and the allocation of additional resources to the licensing department. Despite isolated improvements, the overarching consensus among countryside advocates is that piecemeal solutions are insufficient. The call for a comprehensive overhaul of the firearms licensing framework grows louder, with stakeholders emphasising the need for a system that is fair and efficient.

As the debate continues, the pressure mounts on policymakers to address the systemic issues plaguing firearms licensing and to implement reforms that uphold both public safety and the needs of the countryside community.

Further Information

To see where your force is in the league table, visit bit.ly/licenceleague.

For options on where to purchase firearms, take a look at our list of 10 top gun shops in the UK.