Firearms licensing

The possession of firearms and ammunition in Great Britain is regulated mainly by the Firearms Act 1968.

Guidance

YouThe should read the Home Office guide on firearms licensing law has been updated (November 2022). You should read it alongside the statutory guidance for chief officers of police.

The guidance is only available as an online document. This will help us update the guidance promptly if there are any changes to legislation or processes and help keep the guidance accurate.

The firearms security handbook provides guidance for police and others on securely storing and moving guns.

Firearms security: a brief guide is also available.

The 20232011 leaflet air weapons: a brief guide to safety contains information on the safe handling and storage of air weapons, the different types of air weapons and air weapons and the law.

TheOther specificationspublications forinclude:

• air adaptinggun shotgunowners: magazinesnew legislation - leaflet from 2004 provides advice on how to comply with the ban on self-contained gas cartridge weapons
• deactivation of firearms - these specifications were revised in 2010.

  Apply2010

• firearms forand aammunition shotgunhanded orin during the firearms certificateamnesty 2003 - a table outlining the types and numbers of weapons and ammunition handed over

Maritime security

YouThe needfollowing aguidance firearmson certificatemaritime issuedsecurity byis theavailable:

• section police5 authorisation to possess,protect buyUK-registered orships: acquireguidance ato firearmapplicants - oroutlines shotgun.the Youauthorisation mustprocess alsoon havethe ause certificateof toarmed buyguards ammunition.
  on UK-registered ships
• process for section 5 authorisation for maritime armed security applications: questions and answers - advice about the process for applicants seeking authorisation under section 5

Apply for a shotgunHome orOffice firearms certificatelicence

Apply fromfor youror localmanage policea force.prohibited weapons and ammunition (section 5) authority

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Firearms Licensinglicence Lawfees

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YouThe shouldfees raiseare any(with enquiriescertain orexceptions complaintsfor aboutmuseums) anintended applicationto directlyrecover withthe costs of the relevantHome localOffice, Scottish Government and the police force.

Applyin foradministering aapplications. Fees are payable on grant. The applicable fee levels are set out in the Firearms (Fees) Regulations 2019. Further information is contained in Home Office firearmsCircular licence

006/2019: Firearms (Fees) Regulations 2019.

If you cancel your application

YouWe canconsider applyhow much to charge for cancellations case by case. You may be charged any costs already owed, relating to administration, travel or manageaccommodation a:arrangements, if:

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DeactivatedApply for a shotgun or firearms certificate

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TechnicalMedical specificationsinformation

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Police contact details

You can get a reviewfirearm ofor shotgun certificate application form from the Implementingfirearms regulationlicensing 2015/2403 (PDF,unit 394of KB,your 11local pages)police specifications.force.

Changes in the law

7 May 2021: The Firearms that(Amendment) fallRules outside2021

The theFirearms scope(Amendment) ofRules Implementing2021 Regulationintroduces 2018/337changes shouldmade beunder deactivatedThe Firearms Rules 1998 to allow for the requirementsrecording of the 2010“unique Specificationidentifying -mark” Adaptingon shotgunthe magazinesfirearm andor deactivatingshotgun firearms.or Suchit’s firearmscomponent include,parts butto arebe notrecorded limitedon to,the flareprescribed pistols,forms launchers,for mortarsfirearm and artilleryshotgun pieces.

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View the weapon,Home orOffice sellsCircular or002/2021 gifts: theThe weapon,Firearms they(Amendment) willRules need2021

22 toMarch comply2021: withAntique Firearms Regulations 2021 and the newPolicing standards.

and Crime Act 2017 (Commencement No.11 and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2021

DeactivatedThe law on antique firearms thatis fallchanging. From outside22 theMarch scope2021 ofsome Implementingfirearms Regulationpreviously 2018/337regarded canas stillantique, and therefore exempt from control, no longer qualify as such and must now be transferredlicensed. Owners withoutof thethese needfirearms formust themact by 23:59 on 21 September 2021 to complylicence withthem theor latestlawfully standards;dispose theseof includethem.

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Home artilleryOffice pieces.Circular 008/2021: Antique firearms

Notifying12 possessionDecember or2019: transferFirearms Regulations 2019 and the Firearms (Amendment) (No. 2) Rules 2019

ShouldThe anamendments ownermade subsequentlyunder wishthe Firearms Acts introduce changes to sellthe orcontrols transferon theirfirearms deactivatedrelating firearm,to:

• responsibility thefor Homesecure Officestorage wouldarrangements needin relation to becertificate notifiedholders aboutunder the transaction. Detailsage onof howeighteen
• the particulars to notifybe possessionentered orby transferfirearms ofdealers deactivatedinto firearmstheir isregister containedof transactions in Homeorder Officeto Circularreflect 010/2019:new Firearmsmarking Regulationsrequirements 2019for firearms and essential component parts
• the Firearmsnotification (Amendment)of (No.2)certain Rulesdeactivated 2019.
  firearms held in the United Kingdom and their transfer

Forms are available to notify possession,the orSecretary transfer, of aState deactivatedof firearm.possession, Sendor completedtransfer, formsor toa ourdeactivated dedicated inbox: deactivatedfirearmsnotifications@homeoffice.gov.uk.firearm.

• Notification of transfers of a deactivated firearm to the appropriate national authority (ODT, 12.2 KB)

• Notification of possession of a deactivated firearm to the appropriate national authority (ODT, 10.3 KB)

DeactivatedView the Home Office circular 010/2019.

1 October 2019: The Firearms (Fees) Regulations 2019

Fees for firearms thatlicensing fallwere outsidereintroduced thefollowing scopea offull Implementingpublic Regulationconsultation.

The 2018/337government dointroduced notthe needmeasure toin beParliament notifiedvia forstatutory eitherinstrument possessionin orJuly transfer;2019. theseThe includeinstrument flarecame pistols,into launchers,force mortarsas andlaw artilleryon pieces.1 October 2019.

DeactivatedThe firearmsnew thatfees wereare intended deactivatedto priorrecover tothe 8costs Aprilof 2016,the doHome notOffice, needScottish toGovernment beand notifiedthe police in administering applications. There are certain exceptions for possession.

Ifmuseums. youFees haveare anypayable questionson pleasegrant. contactThe public.enquiries@homeoffice.gov.ukapplicable fee levels are set out in the Firearms (Fees) Regulations 2019.

Earlier10 deactivationJune standards2019: Firearms (Amendment) Rules 2019

The currentamendments deactivationmade standardsto the Firearms Rules (MS Excelcame Spreadsheet,into 34.1force KB)on are10 asJune specified2019 byand therequire 2018applicants regulations.for Someregistration firearmswith werethe legallypolice deactivatedas a firearms dealer to complete a precedingmedical standarddeclaration. andApplicants havemust remainedalso unalteredprovide indetails of their ‘servants’ at each place of business so that relevant background checks can be completed by the ownerspolice.

View possession.the Home Office circular.

16 May 2019: Offensive Weapons Act 2019

DeactivationThe certificatesOffensive issuedWeapons byAct 2019 introduces new prohibitions under the ProofFirearms AuthorityAct before1968 on certain rapid-firing rifles (section 5(1)(ag)) and “bump stocks” (section 5(1)(ba)), which increase the 2018rate regulationsof fire of self-loading rifles.

The prohibitions came into force arewith stilleffect valid.from It16 isMay, onlyto whenthe extent that they prohibit the ownermanufacture, sale, transfer or acquisition of such weapons. The prohibition on possession will come into force at a previouslylater date, following completion of surrender and compensation arrangements.

28 June 2018: revised EU Implementing Regulation affecting deactivated firearmfirearms

Implementing seeksRegulation to2015/2403 transferhas it,been orrevised. toOn offer28 toJune sell2018 orrevised giftdeactivation thestandards weapon,(MS orExcel sellsSpreadsheet, or34.1 giftsKB) thecome weapon,into theyeffect. willEU needCommission toImplementing complyRegulation with2018/337 theintroduces newchanges standards.affecting deactivation standards within EU Member States.

DetailsIf ofyou earlierhave standardsany arequestions listedplease below.contact public.enquiries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

21 April 2017: firearms controls in the Policing and Crime Act 2017

Information about the new legal provisions on firearms in the Policing and Crime Act 2017.

8 April 2016: change in law affecting deactivated firearms

The Implementing regulation 2015/2403 (PDF, 394 KB, 11 pages) ‘Establishing common guidelines on deactivation standards and techniques for ensuring that deactivated firearms are rendered irreversibly inoperable’inoperable’, was published in the EU Official Journal on Saturday 19 December 2015. This has effect from 8 April 2016.

All firearms submitted to the Proof Houses from 8 April must comply with Home Office guidance and additional measures relating to European Commission Regulation (EU){EU} 2015/2403.

15

12 DecemberMarch 2015: Officialnotice Journalof ona establishingchange commonto guidelinesthe oncost deactivationof standardsfirearms andlicensing techniques

fees

ThisFrom document6 shouldApril 2015 there will be readnew fees charged by the police for administering firearms licences. This follows the public consultation held in conjunctionNovember with:and December 2014.

• CommissionThe Implementingresponse Regulationto (EU)the ofgovernment 15consultation Decemberon 2015

• Specificationsincreasing forfirearms licensing fees administered by the adaptationpolice of- shotgunwhich magazinesincludes anddetails on the deactivationnew offees firearms,- revisedis 2010available.

ArmsDirective falling2008/51 outside(amending ofCouncil Directive 91/477). We do appreciate that it is not ideal to be changing our approach at this late stage. However we have reconsidered the scope of the regulationrequirements shouldand continuehave decided that rather than mandating firearms dealers to becomputerise deactivatedtheir inrecords accordancewe withwill ‘Specificationsrely foron the adaptationNational ofFirearms shotgunLicensing magazinesManagement System (England and Wales) and SHOGUN (Scotland), with both the deactivationpolice ofand firearms,firearms reviseddealers 2010’.continuing to record current information.

ArmsThis deactivatedmeans priorthat firearms dealers can continue to thekeep introductionpaper-based ofrecords thealthough regulationwe submittedwould forcontinue re-certificationto canrecommend stillcomputerised records as a matter of best practice.

Firearms dealers will not be issuedrequired withto record anything more or less than they are already required to do now but records will need to kept and maintained for a UKminimum validof only20 certificate.years.

The Itrequirements mustfor what has to be notedrecorded thatas shouldpart of the armdirective subsequentlyare bealready sold,covered exportedby orsection fall40 withinand theschedule remit4 of the regulationFirearms inAct any1968 way,and itPart mustIV beof broughtSchedule up5 to the specificationFirearms ofRules 1998. Therefore the regulation.only difference for firearms dealers will be the length of time they must hold their records for.

DoublePlease submissionsnote willthat bethere requiredis no requirement for registered firearms dealers trading only in allair casesweapons whereor ammunition to comply with this EU Directive. If you have any questions please contact public.enquiries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk, or read the certifyingfurther bodyinformation cannotabout readilythe inspectnew legislation.

Changes to the armFirearms Act 1968

From 14 July 2014, if a person receives a suspended sentence of 3 months or more they will not be able to ensurepurchase thator allpossess worka hasfirearm beenor carriedammunition outfor ina complianceperiod withof 5 years from the regulation.second day after sentence.

AdditionalFrom UK14 specificJuly requirements2014, (noteda throughout)person applywho underhas Articleserved 6,or Directivereceived (EU)a 2015/1535criminal ofsentence thewill Europeannot parliamentbe andable ofto thepossess council.an antique firearm.

2010: Adapting

The shotgunprohibition magazinesapplies to anyone who has served a custodial sentence of more than 3 years or has served a custodial sentence, or received a suspended sentence, of between 3 months and deactivating3 firearms

years.

2010A specificationsperson forto thewhom deactivationthis applies and who currently lawfully possesses an antique firearm will need to dispose of firearmsit by 14 July.

TheseRead specifications stillmore applyinformation toon firearms thatlicensing falllegislation outsideand in the scopebelow ofleaflets:

Antique Implementingfirearms: Regulationwhat 2018/337you including,need butto notknow limited(PDF, to44.6 flareKB, pistols,3 launchers,pages)

Antique mortarsfirearms: information for buyers and artillerysellers pieces.(PDF, 47.5 KB, 3 pages)

Further information

Details:On The18 November 2015 the EU Commission published proposals to amend the Firearms (Amendment)Directive Act91/477/EEC 1988as definesamended by Directive 2008/51/EC. You can read the typesDraft ofamending smooth-boredirective guns(PDF, which308 mayKB, be19 heldpages). Negotiations on athe shotgundirective certificate.are ongoing.

ThisFurther documentinformation describeswill howbe anotheradded typeto ofthis firearmpage maywhen beit classifiedis asavailable.

Travelling ato shotgunEU ifcountries itwith isdeactivated adaptedweapons infor historical re-enactments and commemorative events

If you are travelling to an approvedEU way.country Itwith alsodeactivated containsweapons, guidancethese must conform to the technical specifications set out in the EU Implementing Regulation on deactivatingdeactivation firearms.standards which came into effect on 8 April.

FromIf 8you Aprilare 2016returning to the deactivationUK ofyou firearmswill isalso coveredneed by EUto Implementingcomply Regulationwith 2015/2403,the ‘Establishingadditional commonmeasures guidelinesrequired onby deactivationthe UK. Weapons deactivated to other standards andmust techniquesnot forbe ensuringtaken thatto deactivatedother firearmsEU arecountries, renderednor irreversiblywill inoperable’.

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Home

All Officecosts circulars

Circularincurred 005/2023:as a result of this certification must be met by the owners of the deactivated weapons. The Firearmsgovernment (Airwill Weapons)not (Englandprovide any financial assistance to cover these costs and Wales)it Ruleswill 2023,not setsprovide outcompensation changesfor any claims arising as a result of the additional certification requirement.

The onus remains on individuals to check with the Firearmsrelevant Rulesauthority 1998if fromimport 31licenses Julyare 2023need relatingbefore totravelling with deactivated. Please read the storageguidance ofon airimporting deactivated weapons toback prevent,into sothe farUK.

Police asuse isof reasonablyfirearms

For practicable,general accessinformation tofor the airpolice weaponon bythe ause personof underfirearms, you need to go to the agefollowing ofpages eighteen.on The National Archives:

Contact

• police use of firearms
• code of practice on the Firearmspolice use of firearms
• use of tasers
• attenuating energy projectile (AEP) impact rounds and discriminating irritant projectile (DIP)

Drugs and WeaponsFirearms PolicyLicensing Unit (DFLU) contact details

Email 

You can contact the Home Office by telephone on 0300 105 0248.