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.

IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK - MIRIAM DOERR MARTIN FROMMHERZ

Be careful what you wish for. Recently, I was asked by an official whether I had any stories of certificate holders who had to put their guns into storage while waiting for a renewal. I know this is a bigger issue than the person asking the question realised. I imagine the number is in the thousands. I would like to answer the question, so if you want to tell me how many guns you have in storage for those waiting – or some details of extraordinary stories, please do sent them in to consultations@gtaltd.co.uk .

On a more strategic note, the Shooting Industry Fund has approved funding for a project to look at firearms licensing in the United Kingdom. Thank you! I’ve been trailing it for some time but now we have a retired Royal Marines brigadier on contract to delve into the strategic and operational challenges of delivering a safe and efficient service. He has experience of high-level studies into how to make large scale organisations work more efficiently. We will be collecting intelligence from across the country to identify examples of both good and bad performance. There is nothing consistent in firearms licensing and that includes why some forces perform well and others badly. We want to get under the skin of the entire process as well as measure the impact on the Trade.

Our intent is to be collaborative in this exercise to contribute to a long-term success story where we all enjoy a safe and efficient service. Easy for the shooter; effective and efficient delivery for the licensing team. We will be talking to the Home Office, police leaders and licensing staff – and to you and your customers. I know many of you have endured misery over the last few years where you can see your customer base fading as they struggle to access or renew certificates. If you want to engage with the project – either by email or by talking direct, please let us know. We want to hear about your experiences but also your ideas on how the system could work better. There are many parts of firearms licensing that have little to do with public safety – moderators being a good example. And others like one -for-one variations – why bother? This could be done at the RFD and notified to the police with no risk to public safety. Let us have your ideas.

We will not be shying away from focusing on the worst performing forces, but we hope to work with them to see if we can all find ways of making the system work better. I have already sensed that there is wide enthusiasm for a fresh, objective look at what might be done to help.

Nick Venn starts by meeting with the Home Office and shooting organisations before Christmas.

3D-PRINTED GUNS

There has been interest in 3D-printed and ‘ghost’ guns following the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s chief executive Brian Thompson, who was reportedly shot with a ghost gun. We work with the National Crime Agency on the threat of criminal use of firearms in UK. 3D printing has been on the agenda for some time. A Home Office spokesperson confirmed that the Government would introduce legislation “to criminalise owning, with the intention to be used for crime, supplying and offering to supply, templates or manuals for 3D-printed firearms components”.

3D printing – or additive manufacturing – is a technology that will become ever more prevalent. Even back in the late ’90s, I was involved in a laser-sintered additive manufactured muzzle brake for a .50cal rifle, modelling options for artillery guns. Some of you will already be making firearms components using these techniques.

Working directly with the NCA and Home Office, I have always stressed that the RFD must be able to manufacture using the full range of methods. While the ownership of blueprints for criminal use may be outlawed, licensed dealers will continue to be able to exploit innovation in manufacturing techniques.

LEAD AMMUNITION

We await the imminent HSE final opinion on the restriction of the use and sale of lead in ammunition. They plan to publish this month. Once published, the ‘appropriate authority ’ (Secretary of State for DEFRA) will have three months to act on the opinion. It is expected that DEFRA will produce a statutory instrument (secondary legislation) and lay it before parliament. Statutory instruments are considered by both houses of parliament but usually progress without major debate.

Details will follow but we are optimistic that the five years that the GTA demanded for the industry to be ready to provide alternatives to lead shot will be recognised.

I hope you all have a good break over the festive period and that your shops are busy. There’s lots more to do in 2025. Please continue to support the GTA in the battles ahead.