Restore Britain opposes Labour shotgun licensing plans

Political opposition grows

A new political party has added its voice to opposition against the Government’s plans to align shotgun certificates with the stricter licensing rules that apply to Section 1 firearms.

Restore Britain, led by Rupert Lowe MP, condemned the proposals, which are subject to a forthcoming public consultation, arguing they would burden farmers, gamekeepers and pest controllers with greater costs, longer delays and per-gun justification requirements without any corresponding improvement to public safety.

Mr Lowe said: “Labour’s approach is yet another example of urban politicians interfering in rural life with heavy-handed bureaucracy that does nothing to improve public safety while punishing responsible gun owners. These changes risk driving thousands out of shooting sports and damaging the rural economy.”

The party’s position favours voluntary self-regulation over legislative change, with emphasis on training and peer accountability within the shooting community.

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Concerns from working gamekeepers

Scott Cameron, a working gamekeeper and Restore Britain councillor for Warwickshire, warned that folding shotguns into Section 1 licensing would create bottlenecks for those reliant on their certificates professionally.

“I think the Government needs to face reality and realise it is not legal gun owners who are committing firearms-related crimes in this country,” he said. “It is us who are being penalised and facing tighter regulation.”

The Home Office consultation on Section 1 and Section 2 alignment has not yet opened.