A WIN FOR UNITY IN FIREARMS LICENSING

The reopening of firearm licence applications in Gloucestershire is a major win for the shooting community and evidence of what can be achieved when the trade and its associations work together. It’s no exaggeration to say the suspension caused chaos for gamekeepers, farmers, and pest controllers across the county – people who depend on firearms to do their jobs.

When Gloucestershire Constabulary decided to halt new licence applications to address a growing backlog, the fallout was immediate and severe. For two months, those who needed firearms for their livelihoods were left in limbo, and the frustration was palpable. Thankfully, this decision did not go unchallenged. Trade bodies, MPs, and shooting organisations wasted no time in stepping up to fight for a resolution.

Simon West, executive director of the Gun Trade Association (GTA), was among the first to call out the suspension as an “unlawful failure” of the police’s statutory duty. He took the matter straight to the Home Office and the National Police Chiefs’ Council, making it clear that the licensing system must work for those who rely on it. BASC, too, played a key role, mobilising its members and pushing for swift action to resolve the issue.

Local MPs, including Matt Bishop, also made their voices heard. Bishop not only raised the problem in the House of Commons but worked with other Gloucestershire MPs to demand answers from the Constabulary and the Home Secretary. Their efforts, combined with pressure from organisations like the GTA and BASC, made it impossible for the issue to be ignored.

The Constabulary ’s decision to reopen applications is a step in the right direction, but it’s not the end of the story. Broader issues remain, and the pressures on firearms licensing departments across the UK show no signs of easing. Gloucestershire’s backlog was a symptom of a much bigger problem, and the entire system needs meaningful reform and better resourcing to avoid similar situations in the future.

This outcome is proof of the power of unity. When the trade, associations, and local representatives come together, real change can happen. It’s a lesson that the wider industry can take to heart as we continue to push for fair and efficient licensing for all.

Have a great trading month.

ROB SMITH editor, Gun Trade Insider