The landscape of licensed shooting in the United Kingdom is undergoing a period of significant change. As shooting continues to contribute to elite sport pathways, conservation, rural economies, collecting and responsible firearm stewardship, the sector nonetheless faces rising pressures. Among the most notable implications emerging from the latest firearms licensing data published by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) is the continued decline in firearms certificate and shotgun licence holders. Coupled with the Government’s recent announcement of a wide-ranging consultation into the future of firearms licensing, and the potential alignment of Section 1 and Section 2 firearms, it is clear that the next 12 months will be pivotal for the shooting community.
As Secretary of the British Shooting Sports Council (BSSC), my focus is firmly on two urgent priorities: understanding the detailed picture behind the NPCC’s updated licensing figures, and co-ordinating a robust, evidence-based response to the forthcoming Government consultation. Both tasks are essential if we are to protect the integrity of the licensing system, support responsible certificate holders, and secure the future of the shooting sports we represent.
INTERPRETING THE LATEST NPCC LICENSING FIGURES
The newly released NPCC statistics on firearms and shotgun licensing present a mixed and challenging picture. While the UK continues to be one of the safest countries in the world in terms of firearm-related incidents, the data shows a steady decline in the number of both firearm and shotgun certificate holders. This trend has been visible for several years, but the latest figures indicate that the downward slope is accelerating.
Understanding the reasons behind this matters. Declining numbers do not reflect a loss of interest in shooting sports alone. Instead, they appear to correlate strongly with the increasing administrative burdens placed on both applicants and police licensing departments. Backlogs, inconsistent decision-making across forces, and extended processing times have all contributed to an environment in which responsible applicants may feel discouraged or disillusioned. From our perspective, the NPCC data must be analysed not only as raw numbers but as indicators of strain—strain that affects shooters and the police alike. The priority now is to interrogate the figures thoroughly to identify where inefficiencies lie, where additional capacity is needed, and how we can work constructively with police forces to achieve a more consistent and timely licensing process nationwide.
Although the new firearms licensing charging structure has not been in place for a full year, we were told that the money would be spent on improvements in the service provided. In the latest set of figures, however, only two forces out of 43 show an improvement, and many are falling further behind. There is evidence to suggest that some people are waiting more than two years for the grant of a firearms certificate. This has a huge impact on shooting sports, on the gun trade, and on individuals who are unable to pursue their chosen sport.
The certificate holder does not have a choice – it is not like choosing a dentist or a GP, where you are free to choose. Your postcode dictates the service you receive, and it was interesting to see two senior officers at the recent National Gamekeepers’ Conference both agreeing that having 43 separate licensing forces is not the way they would have designed the system if they had started with a clean sheet of paper. Perhaps it is time to stop trying to fix a largely broken system and instead seriously consider a national licensing system, akin to the DVLA or similar. Alongside the Gun Trade Association, the BSSC is continuing to push this agenda.
PREPARING FOR THE GOVERNMENT’S FORTHCOMING CONSULTATION
The Government’s announcement of a fresh consultation into firearms licensing represents both opportunity and risk. The opportunity lies in the alignment. Better that Section 1 becomes more like Section 2 than the other way around. As a Section 1 holder, if I break a rifle, I cannot simply swap it for another one. Instead, I must apply for a variation and then wait for that to be processed. In my force area, that may take a year or more. That unnecessary bureaucracy is an additional cause of licensing backlogs and adds nothing to public safety. As an international competitive target shot, then I cannot afford to be out of circulation for a year waiting to replace a broken rifle.
The risks are that Section 2 could be assimilated into Section 1. The police checks required for both types of certification are already aligned, so from a police intelligence perspective there are no additional public safety benefits from making the alignment of Section 2 closer to Section 1.
If Section 2 were assimilated into Section 1, BASC have estimated it would cost the economy £1 billion as well as taking 30% of certificate holders out of shooting. However, ongoing research by the Gun Trade Association suggests that BASC’s estimate is almost certainly an underestimate. GTA believes the effect on the trade will be catastrophic and bring no benefit in terms of public safety. It is perhaps telling that 17 Registered Firearms Dealers have already been lost over the past 12 months.
While any review should aim to enhance public safety—an objective the BSSC fully supports—it must also respect the rights of the law-abiding community that participates in shooting sports, conservation, collecting and other legitimate activities. Our task at the BSSC is to ensure that the consultation is informed by evidence, not assumption. The forthcoming discussions must be grounded in the actual potential risk posed by certificate holders, who continue to be among the most thoroughly vetted individuals in the country. It is equally vital that any proposed changes do not impose unnecessary burdens on applicants or create additional bottlenecks within already overstretched police licensing units.
We will work closely with our member organisations to collate data, case studies and expert analysis that can shape a constructive response. This includes seeking input from certificate holders, shooting clubs and other stakeholders whose voices must be heard.
LOOKING AHEAD
The months ahead will be decisive. By engaging proactively with the NPCC’s latest data and contributing constructively to the forthcoming consultation, we have the opportunity to help shape a licensing framework that is evidence-based, resilient, and supportive of responsible participants in our sport. The BSSC will continue to champion the needs of all our members and certificate holders and advocate for a system that maintains the highest safety standards while enabling shooting sports to thrive for generations to come.
GET IN TOUCH
secretary@bssc.org.uk
www.bssc.org.uk
GETTY IMAGES, CREDIT HANS-PETER MERTEN