PALANTIR IDENTIFIED AS PREFERRED BIDDER FOR NEXT-GENERATION FIREARMS LICENSING SYSTEMPolice Digital Service (PDS) has identified Palantir Technologies UK Ltd as the preferred bidder to deliver a replacement National Firearms Licensing Management System (NFLMS), which will support firearms licensing across all 43 police forces in England and Wales.

GTA MEETS BCH LEADERSHIP OVER LICENSING PERFORMANCERepresentatives from the Gun Trade Association (GTA) have

NPCC AGREES LICENSING REPORTING CHANGES FOLLOWING GTA CONCERNSFuture licensing performance reports will separate grant and

LYALVALE EXPRESS APPOINTS JORDAN O’DONNELL AS SALES MANAGERLyalvale Express has strengthened its sales team with

COUNSEL’S CORNERNick Doherty examines licensing delays, processing times and

BALLISTIC BREAKDOWNPaul Bradley explains why understanding recoil can help

SHOOTING STARAs the lead transition gathers pace, Shooting Star

GTA VOICESGTA chairman Oskar Waktare discusses the role of

A SAFE PAIR OF HANDS?As you can see from our cover story,

THE NEWS IN NUMBERS153 Northern Ireland’s Department of Justice has withdrawn

GUN TRADE INSIDER

NORTHERN IRELAND FIREARMS FEE CONSULTATION WITHDRAWN FOLLOWING LEGAL ACTIONNorthern Ireland’s Department of Justice (DoJ) has withdrawn

NPCC AGREES FIREARMS LICENSING REPORTING CHANGES FOLLOWING GTA CONCERNSThe Gun Trade Association (GTA) has welcomed a

HOLLAND & HOLLAND ANNOUNCES RETAIL PARTNERSHIP WITH GAME & GUNHolland & Holland has announced a new partnership

LYALVALE EXPRESS APPOINTS JORDAN O’DONNELL AS SALES MANAGERLyalvale Express has strengthened its sales team with

AIR ARMS TROPHY SHOOT JOINS BENCHREST UK TOURAir Arms has announced its support for the

NEW £30M HABITAT FUND RAISES QUESTIONS FOR FIREARMS RETAILERSThe Moorland Association has called on Parliament to

NEW REPRESENTATIVES ELECTED TO BASC COUNCILTwo new representatives have been elected to the

SHOOTING UNDER FIRE AS INDUSTRY CHALLENGES RSPB LICENSING CALLThe RSPB has taken its campaign against shooting

SGC SUCCESS FORMULASGC owner Gary Lamburn discusses customer service, supply

RETAIL EDGEFive practical strategies to help retailers increase average

OFFERS SUPPORT FOR NFLMS COMMUNICATIONSFirearmsLicensing.Net has written an open letter to the Police Digital Service (PDS), National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), Home Office Firearms Policy Unit and shooting organisations, offering support to help communicate the forthcoming replacement of the National Firearms Licensing Management System (NFLMS).

VIKING ARMS MD RAISES CONCERNS OVER LEAD AMMUNITION RESTRICTIONSManaging director of Viking Arms, Sam MacArthur, has

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

AND WHY PROOF MATTERSLondon Proof House, proof master, David Miles, explains the role of the Permanent International Commission for the Proof of Small Arms (C.I.P.), how international proof standards benefit the trade and what retailers need to know about proof marks, imports and compliance.

MORE TIME TO DO BUSINESS: THE EXCLUSIVE NEW TRADE PRIVILEGES AT THE GREAT BRITISH SHOOTING SHOW 2027Exclusive access before the public arrives and after they leave on Friday, a priority entrance lane, dedicated trade areas with offices and an evening of awards to finish. By Simon K. Barr

WHEN DOES DELAY BECOME UNREASONABLE?As licensing delays continue to frustrate certificate holders and RFDs, barrister Nick Doherty examines when delays may become unreasonable and whether a national licensing authority could provide a long-term solution.

RECOIL: MORE THAN A SORE SHOULDERMost customers think of recoil as the price of admission — a thump, a flinch, something to be endured. In truth it is one of the most underrated performance variables in the shop, and the dealer who understands it has a real advantage at the counter.

EXPANDS OFFERING AHEAD OF LEAD TRANSITIONAs the shooting industry prepares for a future with reduced reliance on lead ammunition, Shooting Star is expanding its range of alternative cartridges.

LEADING THE TRADE THROUGH CHALLENGING TIMESGTA chairman Oskar Waktare discusses the role of the Association, the challenges facing the trade and the priorities he believes will shape its future.

SGC GROUP’S FORMULA FOR SUCCESSSGC Group managing director Gary Lamburn continues to play a prominent role in the UK shooting industry. Here, he discusses customer service, supply chains, new product launches and the opportunities shaping the airgun market in 2026

SMALL CHANGES THAT INCREASE AVERAGE TRANSACTION VALUEMore customers through the door is not always the answer. In this month’s Retail Edge, we look at five practical ways retailers can increase the value of every sale without relying on discounts.

BROWNING X-BOLT 2Bruce Potts revisits Browning’s latest rifle offering and finds that the Eclipse model has the X-factor, proving there is still a place for walnut in modern rifles

BERETTA UNVEILS BATTLE OF PAVIA TRIBUTE SO10 EELLBeretta has unveiled a commemorative SO10 EELL sidelock over-and-under shotgun to mark 500 years since the founding of the company, with the gun’s engraving depicting the Battle of Pavia, a 1525 clash that the manufacturer says may have involved barrels made by its founder.

INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVEIN ASSOCIATION WITH I WA OUTDOORCLASSICS

CARACAL USA APPOINTS KOLBA IN POLANDCaracal USA has signed an exclusive distribution agreement

VICTORIA REJECTS FIREARM OWNERSHIP CAPThe Victorian Government has adopted 15 of 16