Get your renewal application in at least 12 weeks before your certificate is due to expire. Do not wait for a police reminder letter (you may not receive one anyway, depending on where you live). You can download a firearm/shotgun certificate renewal form here. On the renewal form you must…
Shotgun certificates and firearms certificates
Depression: what it means for gun owners
Anybody can suffer from depression. It is an illness that does not discriminate. Anyone who thinks they are suffering should seek professional help as depression can often be treated by a sympathetic and well-informed GP. Depression and gun ownership There is no statutory duty to notify the police that you are…
Are police forces making life more difficult for shotgun licence applicants?
We either stand together or get picked off one-by-one. The relevance of this for shooters was highlighted by P. Cree writing recently, detailing how he had told fellow shoot members that BASC advised that nobody should pay “illegal” medical fees, only for three members to admit that they had indeed…
Worried about my shotgun certificate renewal
I am applying for a new shotgun licence and when the policeman came to visit he did not even bother to look at my gun safe. Before he left, he said he had to take my old licence with him. When I said I needed it, he said he would…
This is why you’ll probably get your shotgun licence faster in future
New application forms for shotgun certificates and firearms licences will ask whether an applicant has ever been diagnosed or treated for a relevant medical condition, removing ambiguity around the current wording. The changes will apply in England, Scotland and Wales and come into effect on 31 December 2017, though old…
These changes to shotgun licence forms will make things clearer
The Home Office has announced that the new shotgun licence forms will ask whether an applicant has ever been diagnosed or treated for a relevant medical condition to remove ambiguity around the current wording. The new forms – which will apply in England, Scotland and Wales – come into effect…
What exactly goes on in a police firearms licensing department?
With about 23,000 certificate holders, Hampshire is a middling size force as far as firearms licensing is concerned. Its performance in recent years has left much to be desired. At one stage things were so poor that the force made an apology on Radio Solent. That’s the down side. The…
How to get into shooting
If you are looking to get into shooting of any kind, this easy guide will give you plenty of hints and tips
Can I lose my firearms licence because I drink over the recommended weekly limit?
Q: I have applied for the renewal of my licences and have been told by my firearms enquiry officer (FEO) that because I drink more than the Government weekly limit, he will refuse to renew the licences because I am intemperate. I go to the local pub three days a…
This is why more than 23,000 new shotgun licences have been issued in the past year
The number of people enjoying shooting is growing, with more than 23,000 new shotgun certificates issued by police forces in England and Wales in the past year. There were 23,718 new applications between 2016 and 2017, of which 98 per cent (23,128) were granted and two per cent (590) were…
Will new police text alert system speed up firearms licensing?
Thames Valley Police is pioneering a new text alert scheme to improve and speed up its firearms and shotgun licensing process. The three-stage system will send a text to applicants once their application is first received and sent for process, a second message when the application has been referred to…
Police get tougher on gun ownership
The police are overcautious and too quick to revoke shotgun and firearm certificates, according to a firearms legal specialist. Earlier this month, Shooting Times reported on prosecutions launched by South Wales Police against those who withheld “spent convictions” during firearms applications. It has now been suggested that police forces across…
Shooters must announce past convictions
Shooters are being warned not to withhold details of past or “spent” convictions when applying for or renewing their firearm and shotgun certificates, otherwise they could risk prosecution. BASC has reminded its members of their legal obligation to fill out the forms correctly in regard to the standard question on…
Supervising a Young Shot
As the media continues in its condemnation of young Shots, Will Finch argues that shooting from an early age has a positive effect on young people
Shotgun certificates for young Shots?
Q: I would like to buy my son his first shotgun as a birthday present when he turns 14 this summer. Can he have his own shotgun certificate or is it best to put it on mine? A: Whilst I would suggest it should be on yours as well he…
15 things to know when buying your first gun
Apply for your shotgun certificate in plenty of time. Depending on where you live in the country it could take weeks or months to arrive. A reputable dealer will reserve your gun for you while you’re waiting for your certificate. Buy your first gun from a recommended gun shop –…
It’s time the firearms licensing system was overhauled – don’t you agree?
Have you seen your doctor recently? If you have, I do hope it wasn’t for anything significant. I don’t know about you, but I consider a visit to the doctor to be what marketing geeks call a “distress purchase”. It isn’t a recreational choice so much as something you do only when absolutely necessary. Mind you, I…
Firearms licensing still a “postcode lottery”
The 2015 Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary (HMIC) report Targeting the risk concluded that the application of firearms licensing in England and Wales is “inconsistent and inadequate” with a wide variation in the amount of time it takes to grant and renew a certificate. Shooting Times took a look at…
Can I do anything to speed up getting my shotgun certificate?
Q: In light of the huge delays in processing shotgun certificate renewals in some counties (Lincolnshire for example) what is your advice to help speed up the process of receiving my shotgun certificate? I call and call but just get fobbed off… A: This is a widespread problem. Whilst some forces are excellent others are woefully inefficient. Lincolnshire in particular has…
Have your say in our firearms licensing poll
Everbody who owns a gun is being affected by shotgun and firearms licensing issues – whether they are new to shooting or a seasoned Gun. When you’ve just taken up shooting, you’ll apply for your shotgun certificate and wait for it to arrive. Depending on where you live, you can…