Firearms licensing law
Consolidated guidance on firearms legislation.
Documents
Details
This Home Office guide on firearms licensing law has been updated. It should be read alongside the statutory guidance for chief officers of police.
The document provides guidance on firearms licensing legislation for anyone who is involved in licensing firearms or who has an interest in firearms or shotguns for either work or leisure purposes.
This guide is not intended to be a definitive statement of the law, but a cohesive explanation of the often complex area of firearms licensing.
Details
This Home Office guide on firearms licensing law has been updated. It should be read alongside the statutory guidance for chief officers of police.
The document provides guidance on firearms licensing legislation for anyone who is involved in licensing firearms or who has an interest in firearms or shotguns for either work or leisure purposes.
This guide is not intended to be a definitive statement of the law, but a cohesive explanation of the often complex area of firearms licensing.
Updates to this page
Last updated
-
Updated to reflect changes to government department names.
Update history
2026-06-04 09:30
Firearms licensing fees updated.
2026-05-19 10:42
The guide has been updated to reflect legislative and policy changes.
2026-03-05 09:41
Removed section ‘Notifying the Home Office of the transfer or possession of a deactivated firearm’.
2024-12-19 19:28
Updated to reflect changes to government department names.
2023-04-13 09:48
Updated the guide to reflect change of department name: Department for International Trade (DIT) has become the Department for Business and Trade (DBT).
2022-11-09 09:16
Updated paragraphs 6.37 and 12.67 – guidance on UK Athletics licenced race starters; paragraph 7.10 – re-inserted guidance on the exemption under section 11(6) relating toorganised clay pigeon shoots; and paragraphs 15.27 and 15.28 – new guidance on ‘remote’ sales by registered firearms dealers.