Government Announces New Consultation on Firearms Licensing Controls

Published on:
Feb 14, 2025

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The Government today published its response to the 2023 public consultation that was run by the previous Government on firearms licensing controls. This consultation sought views on recommendations made by the Senior Coroner following inquests into the deaths of the five people who were shot and killed in Keyham on 12 August 2021; on recommendations made by the Independent Office for Police Conduct following its investigation into the police force involved; and recommendations made by the Scottish Affairs Select Committee following its review of firearms licensing regulations which followed on from a fatal shooting by a licensed shotgun holder on the Isle of Skye on 10 August 2022.

The Government response sets out the actions it intends to take to further strengthen firearms licensing controls that include new:-

• powers of immediate seizure of firearms, shotguns and ammunition
• requirements on applicants for shotguns to provide the name of two referees
• new guidance on involvement of household members and others in suitability checks

The shooting community is committed to public safety. We accept continuous scrutiny of our personal lives on the understanding that this will assist the police in identifying certificate holders whose actions and behaviours cause concern. Good legislation, fairly and professionally implemented by the police, is essential to maintaining the goodwill and support of the shooting community for this scrutiny.

Proposals to grant police “backstop” powers of immediate seizure of firearms from certificate holders, when the search for illegal firearms at the home of a dangerous criminal requires a Warrant, are plain bonkers.

The Government response can be found Firearms licensing: recommendations for changes – GOV.UK

The new consultation is expected later this year.

Andrew Mercer

Secretary General