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…
Shotgun certificates and firearms licences
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…
At what age can you get a firearms licence and shotgun certificate?
Bill Harriman advises on what age you can obtain a firearms and a shotgun certificate
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…
Countess faces lengthy wait for gun licence and brands £40 GP fee a “disgrace”
Many shooters have long been aware that the time it takes to receive a new shotgun certificate depends on where they live. Now Establishment figures, like MP Ian Liddell Grainger and Lady Bathurst, High Sheriff of Gloucestershire, are being affected too and voicing their complaints in the media. GPs struggling…
Should I pay my GP for my shotgun certificate renewal?
David says: The official Government advice is that there is no expectation of a fee being charged for an initial trawl through your medical records. However, I could find no mention of this on the BMA website although the BMA is well aware of the Home Office position, which is supported by the shooting organisations. In my view the medical profession…
Firearms licensing in the Thames Valley
“What we know from experience is that widespread use of these [Section 7 permits] places an additional administrative demand on the Licensing Department which far from resolving the problem for our licence holders ultimately exacerbates it.” That’s from a letter sent to me by Assistant Chief Constable (ACC) Andy Taylor, writing with the advice of the licensing manager Zoey Evans, in February…
Cohabiting? What’s the law on shotgun licences and gunsafes?
A: It always makes practical sense for cohabitees to have each other’s shotguns listed on both their individual certificates. If that is done, there never can be any question about either party having access to the other’s shotguns. The same holds true for Section 1 Firearms but then both parties will have to satisfy the “good reason” test…
MP forgets to renew firearms licence and is ‘appalled’ at new issue time
The MP has accused Avon and Somerset police of ‘utter incompetence’ after learning it will take a minimum of 16 weeks for a new issue although he was sent a courtesy reminder by the force that the certificate for his rifles and shotguns had expired. Mr Liddell-Grainer commented: “Forgetting to…