GUNTRADE INSIDER
SGC GROUP APPOINTED UK AND IRELAND DISTRIBUTOR FOR BENELLI AND FRANCHI

VIKING ARMS APPOINTED EXCLUSIVE UK DISTRIBUTOR FOR ANSCHÜTZ
FULL STORY: PAGE 04 Viking Arms, the

GLOUCESTERSHIRE POLICE REOPENS FIREARM LICENCE APPLICATIONS
FULL STORY: PAGE 06 Gloucestershire Constabulary has

REVIEW ON LEAD AMMUNITION
FULL STORY: PAGE 10 The Health and

THE FUTURE OF LAND ASSESSMENTS
PAGE 24 Nick Doherty analyses land assessments and

IMPROVING FIREARMS LICENSING SYSTEMS
PAGE 16 Simon West reviews inefficiencies and solutions

VOICES OF INFLUENCE ROBERT FRAMPTON
PAGE 28 Robert Frampton reflects on his 46

IWA: UNLOCKING FOREIGN MARKETS
PAGE 34 Stefanie Leege discusses UK market prospects

BEHIND THE COUNTER: SPITFIRE SHOOT
PAGE 36 Owner Rich Harding shares advice on

A WIN FOR UNITY IN FIREARMS LICENSING
The reopening of firearm licence applications in Gloucestershire

THE NEWS IN NUMBERS
American employees now part of the CSG Group

CZECHOSLOVAK GROUP ACQUIRES THE KINETIC GROUP
Czechoslovak Group (CSG) has completed its largest acquisition

Simon K. Barr and Sean O’Driscoll join Gun Trade Association Council
Simon K. Barr and Sean O’Driscoll have been

Viking Arms appointed exclusive UK distributor for Anschütz
Viking Arms, the North Yorkshire -based distributor of

GLOUCESTERSHIRE REOPENS FIREARM LICENCE APPLICATIONS
IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK - DAVID RIDLEY Gloucestershire Constabulary has

BASC DELIVERS CPD TRAINING FOR POLICE SCOTLAND FIREARMS LICENSING TEAM
The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC)

POLICE URGE VIGILANCE ON FIREARM SECURITY AS THEFTS RISE THROUGH WINTER MONTHS
Police in Hertfordshire are urging licensed firearm owners

REDUCING FIREARM THREATS: ACC METCALFE OUTLINES COLLABORATIVE PROGRESS
ACC Tim Metcalfe, NPCC Lead for the Criminal

HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE PUBLISHES ‘FINAL OPINION’ ON LEAD AMMUNITION RESTRICTIONS
In 2021, the Department for the Environment, Food

LATEST AIRGUN INDUSTRY TRENDS
PAGE 40 Simon Moore highlights innovations driving the

NEW PATENT PROMISES BREAKTHROUGH IN SUSTAINABLE SHOTGUN AMMUNITION
Ecoshot Ltd, based in Northamptonshire, has secured a

MANDATORY FIREARMS LICENSING TRAINING TO BE INTRODUCED NATIONALLY
New mandatory training for firearms licensing staff will

GUN TRADE JOBS
MEA OPUS -SECURE YOUR PERFECT FUTURE POSITION -REGISTER AT MEAOPUS.CO.UK

INDUSTRY URGED TO SHARE EXPERIENCES
The GTA launches a major review into firearms licensing inefficiencies, with a focus on collaboration, innovation, and practical solutions to improve the system for shooters, trade professionals, and enforcement authorities alike.

IN FOCUS: ENHANCED SAFETY UNDER THE NEW EU GENERAL PRODUCT SAFETY REGULATION (GPSR)
The new General Product Safety Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2023/988 - GPSR) aims to address the risks posed by new technology and to close regulator y gaps in the EU’s fragmented product safety regime. Here, Lachlan Nisbet and Charlotte McRae explore the impact of the GPSR for gun traders and online marketplaces.

SGC GROUP DISCUSSES BENELLI AND FRANCHI PARTNERSHIP
With its recent appointment as the UK distributor for Benelli and Franchi, Gun Trade Insider (GTI) sat down with SGC Group head of marketing Dan Kingdon to talk about the company’s strategic vision, its dealer support initiatives, and how it is planning to reshape the competitive landscape of the UK shooting industry.

DO THEY SERVE ANY USEFUL PURPOSE?
The long-standing practice of police assessing land as ‘safe’ for shooting is under scrutiny. Many forces now question its value, with some abandoning it altogether. Nick Doherty, barrister and firearms licensing expert, examines the practicality, inconsistencies, and future of land checks, and considers whether other measures, such as mentoring and safety training, could – or should – replace them.

BARRELS: BREAK-IN AND CLEANING
Maintenance and cleaning often spark debate, with even rifle manufacturers avoiding firm recommendations. But for us at Hexagon Ammunition, performance is everything. We’ve spent a lot of time testing practices to eliminate unhelpful habits, ensuring our customers get the best velocity, precision, and value from our products, writes Paul Bradley, Hexagon Ammunition.

ROBERT FRAMPTON ON 46 YEARS OF PASSION, CHANGE, AND PROGRESS
As he prepares to retire after 46 years in the shooting industry, Robert Frampton, brand director at GMK, shares his insights on the biggest changes, challenges, and triumphs he has experienced, and offers a glimpse into the future of the trade.

SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICES FOR RETAILERS
For hunting and shooting retailers, adopting sustainable practices can not only enhance their reputation but also offer significant cost savings and long-term benefits. This article explores how retailers in this sector can integrate sustainability into their operations and communicate these efforts effectively to their customers.

KRAL PUNCHER K: COMPACT PERFORMANCE AT A COMPETITIVE PRICE
The Kral Puncher K, distributed in the UK

UNLOCKING INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS: STEFANIE LEEGE PREVIEWS IWA 2025
IWA 2025 is on the horizon, and with it comes significant opportunities for the British market. Around 30 UK-based companies will be presenting their innovations in Nuremberg, Germany, joined by around 1,000 attendees from the UK. Gun Trade Insider seized the opportunity to speak with Stefanie Leege, event director of IWA, about the upcoming show.

SPITFIRE SHOOT
We speak to Rich Harding – owner of Spitfire Shoot in Hampshire – about brewing branded beer and the importance of investing in your staff

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS
There are likely to be lots of changes and challenges this year for our trade, but there are enormous opportunities, too. Though having the time and focus to do some marketing might seem impossible for you, there are some resolutions that will easily weave into your day to day and help you bring the best to your customers this year, writes digital expert Philip Montague.

MOORE TO THE POINT
Dave Barham talks all things airgun industry with Simon Moore, the managing director of BSA Guns.

INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Gun Trade Insider offers a detailed examination of the latest developments across various international markets.