A new political party has added its voice to growing opposition against the Government’s proposals to align shotgun certificates with the stricter licensing requirements applied to Section 1 firearms.
Restore Britain, led by Rupert Lowe, has criticised the plans, which are expected to form part of an upcoming Home Office consultation. The party argues that the proposed changes would place additional administrative and financial burdens on farmers, gamekeepers and pest controllers, without delivering any measurable improvement in public safety.
Mr Lowe said the proposals reflect a disconnect between policymakers and rural communities, warning that increased bureaucracy could deter participation in shooting activities and place further strain on the rural economy.
The party has instead advocated for a model based on voluntary self-regulation, with a greater focus on training standards and accountability within the shooting community.
Scott Cameron, a working gamekeeper and Restore Britain councillor for Warwickshire, also raised concerns about the potential operational impact. He suggested that bringing shotguns under Section 1 controls could create delays and licensing bottlenecks for those who rely on firearms as part of their profession.
He added that, in his view, lawful firearms owners are not the primary contributors to gun crime, and questioned whether further restrictions on certificate holders would address the underlying issues.
The Home Office consultation on the potential alignment of Section 1 and Section 2 firearms licensing has not yet opened.