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Prohibited weapons and ammunition (section 5) authority

You need a section 5 authority to handle prohibited weapons, component parts and prohibited ammunition. This includes:

• heritage pistols to keep or use under section 7(3) of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988
• private maritime security companies
• carriers airlines / ground handlers

When you apply, you will need the following to complete your application:

• the authority holder and businesss name
• the Companies House number if relevant (find your Companies House number)
• details of how the prohibited items will be obtained and used
• a covering letter that gives:
  • details of how the prohibited items will be obtained and used
  • the reasons you need to possess weapons and/or ammunition sought, and any other relevant information.
  • a full explanation of why you need the Secretary of States authority. (New applicants should also enclose a business plan that sets out the background, mission and objectives of the business and evidence of prospective trade)

Additional supporting documents justifying a business need for an s5 authority. These documents will need to cover every item/amount being requested in the authority. For example:

• current or future contracts
• invoices from the last 6 months
• letters of sponsorship from the past 6 months
• a valid import licence (if applicable)
• details of third part storage (if applicable)
• addresses of the business premises where the prohibited items will be stored
• the types and quantities of prohibited items you want the authority to cover
• the personal details of one or two named authority holders (home address, date and place of birth and nationality)
• contact details (including email of main contact if different from the authority holder)

Carriers airlines / ground handlers only, please provide:

• a covering letter that gives:
  • details of how the prohibited items will be obtained and used
  • the reasons you need to possess weapons and/or ammunition sought, and any other relevant information
• your previous section 5 authority (if applicable)

For more information, view chapter 3 of the guide on Firearms Licensing Law.

Shooting club approval

Applications will only be accepted by the Home Office, and should no longer be sent to the police directly.

Once your application has been submitted, we will review it to determine if it is valid and, if so, pass it to the relevant police force, who will then make necessary enquiries before sending the application to us for consideration.

If you do not provide sufficient information and supporting evidence your application is likely to be rejected as invalid and will need to be resubmitted.

Before applying you must ensure that you fulfil the criteria as set out in the guidance for rifle and muzzle loading pistol clubs.

What happens next

We will review your application and contact you if we need more information. We will also carry out certain checks, including inspecting any storage arrangements.

Shooting clubs in Scotland should apply in writing to:

Museum licence

Museums can apply for a museum licence if they wish to display or store any type of weapon or ammunition for exhibition purposes.

Museums in England and Wales should use the online service to:

• apply for a new museum licence
• renew an existing licence
• amend an existing licence, such as adding new storage locations

Licences cost up to 200 and are valid for 5 years.

What a museum licence covers

A museum licence covers:

• possession, transfer and disposal of section 1 and section 2 weapons
• possession of section 5 weapons
• transfer of section 5 weapons to a museum in the same museum group, which is named on the licence

You need a section 5 authority as well as a museum licence to:

• transfer section 5 weapons to a different legal entity or organisation - for example, to loan to another museum
• dispose of section 5 weapons

Its free to apply for a section 5 authority.

Who can apply

You can only apply for a museum licence if youre:

• maintained by Parliament or local government
• accredited by the Museum, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) or Arts Council England and Wales

You cant apply for this licence if youre a non-accredited, privately funded or private collection. Instead you should apply for a firearm or shotgun certificate.

What happens next

We will review your application and contact you if we need more information. We will also carry out certain checks, including inspecting any storage arrangements.

For more information, view chapter 17 of the guide on Firearms Licensing Law.

If you cancel your application

We consider how much to charge for cancellations case by case. You may be charged any costs already owed relating to administration, travel or accommodation arrangements if you cancel your application:

• following a police inspection
• after you receive an outcome from us

We may also ask for our administrative costs to be paid within 10 working days. We can email you extra information about these costs.

Contact the Drugs and Firearms Licensing Unit (DFLU)

Firearms enquiries

Emailpublic.enquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk for queries about UK firearms legislation and other firearms questions.

Firearms applications

For application queries, emaildflu.firearmslicensing@homeoffice.gov.uk.

Fees

For queries about firearms licensing fees, invoices and billing, emaildflu.fees@homeoffice.gov.uk.

Customer complaints

Emaildflu.complaints@homeoffice.gov.uk for complaints about firearms licences.

Before you email the DFLU, you should try to resolve any issues with the firearms team directly using the other contact details above.

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