Firearms rules in force: what certificate holders must now tell police

Certificate holders across England, Scotland and Wales are now bound by new conditions on their firearm and shotgun certificates, after the Firearms (Amendment) Rules 2026 came into force on 29 September. Police forces will accept the old application forms for one more month, but from 29 October only the revised forms will be taken.

What must holders now report to police?

The new conditions require a certificate holder to tell their police force if, during the five-year life of the certificate, they are diagnosed with or treated for a relevant medical condition – the Home Office gives depression and dementia as examples – or if an existing condition gets worse.

Holders must also report any consultation about a relevant condition with a doctor outside their own GP practice, including online and private services. Until now, licensing relied heavily on the marker placed on a holder’s GP record, which a third-party consultation could bypass.

The changes were made under section 53 of the Firearms Act 1968 on 23 September and are set out in full in Home Office Circular 013/2026, published on 29 September.

Second homes and households on the new forms

The revised Form 201, used for grants and renewals of both certificate types, asks applicants to declare every member of their household, including those under 18, and any second home where firearms will be stored.

The Home Office says the household question will help police identify wider safety concerns, such as domestic abuse, while the second-home declaration allows security checks at the other address and notification of the force covering it.

What do ministers and police say?

Sarah Jones, the policing minister, said: “Public safety must always come first when it comes to firearms licensing. The UK already has some of the strongest gun controls in the world, but these changes will strengthen safeguards further by closing loopholes and helping ensure firearms do not fall into the wrong hands.”

Chief Constable David Gardner, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) lead for firearms and explosives licensing, said: “The vast majority of firearms licence holders understand and support the need for statutory requirements for possessing firearms, whether for sport, recreation or work. It is important that police have access to all available information when assessing someone’s suitability to hold a firearms licence.”

A pragmatic approach, and a call to go further

Police Scotland moved quickly to reassure holders. In a notice circulated through the Scottish Association for Country Sports (SACS), the force said: “I want to reassure you that Police Scotland will take a pragmatic approach to these new conditions in order to avoid unnecessarily criminalising certificate holders.” Enforcement, it added, would be considered only where there is “clear evidence of intentional dishonesty and/or an attempt to undermine the requirements of the licensing process”. The NPCC’s advice to forces in England and Wales is expected to align generally with the Scottish position.

The Countryside Alliance backed the changes as closing loopholes, but renewed its case for a single, centralised licensing authority for England and Wales, arguing that the current fragmented system of 43 forces is no longer fit for purpose. BASC, GWCT and the other shooting organisations had not published a response by the time this story was filed.

What happens next

The reporting duties apply now, so holders should note them and report relevant changes promptly, keeping a record of what was sent and when. Applications on the old forms will be accepted during the transition, but from 29 October 2026 only the revised Form 201 will be taken. In Scotland, the Firearms Mental Health Awareness and Support Partnership is encouraging holders to disclose changes in their health early rather than wait to be asked.