Home Office
The possession of firearms and ammunition in Great Britain is regulated mainly by the Firearms Act 1968.
Guidance
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 2011 leaflet air weapons: a brief guide to safetycontains information on the safe handling and storage of air weapons, the different types of air weapons and air weapons and the law.
Other publications include:
- air gun owners: new 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
- firearms and ammunition handed in during the firearms amnesty 2003- a table outlining the types and numbers of weapons and ammunition handed over
Maritime security
The following guidance on maritime security is available:
- section 5 authorisation to protect UK-registered ships: guidance to applicants- outlines the authorisation process on the use of armed guards 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 undersection 5
Apply for a Home Office firearms licence
Apply for or manage a prohibited weapons and ammunition (section 5) authority
Apply for or manage a shooting club approval
Apply for or manage a museum licence
Firearms licence fees
The Firearms (Fees) Regulations 2019 were made under section 32ZA of the Firearms Act 1968 and section 15B of, and paragraph 3A of the Schedule to, the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988. With effect from 1 October 2019, the Regulations specify the fees for museum firearm licences, club approval and section 5 authorisations.
The fees are (with certain exceptions for museums) intended to recover the costs of the Home Office, Scottish Government and the police in administering applications. 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 Circular 006/2019: Firearms (Fees) Regulations 2019.
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
- you cancel your application 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.
Apply for a shotgun or firearms certificate
You need a firearms certificate issued by the police to possess, buy or acquire a firearm or shotgun. You must also have a certificate to buy ammunition.
Apply for a shotgun or firearms certificate
Medical information
From 1 April 2016, information sharing processes between GPs and police have been introduced to ensure that people licensed to possess firearm and shotgun certificates are medically fit. The Home Office guide on firearms licensing law contains a section on medical information, and the British Medical Association has issued guidance for GPs about firearms licencing.
Police contact details
You can get a firearm or shotgun certificate application form from the firearms licensing unit of your local police force.
Changes in the law
7 May 2021: The Firearms (Amendment) Rules 2021
The Firearms (Amendment) Rules 2021 introduces changes made under The Firearms Rules 1998 to allow for the recording of the unique identifying mark on the firearm or shotgun or its component parts to be recorded on the prescribed forms for firearm and shotgun certificates and, clarification of the obligation to inform the chief officer of police of the theft, loss or destruction in Great Britain of a firearm or shotgun certificate, or of any firearm or shotgun or ammunition to which the certificate relates.
View the Home Office Circular 002/2021 : The Firearms (Amendment) Rules 2021
22 March 2021: Antique Firearms Regulations 2021 and the Policing and Crime Act 2017 (Commencement No.11 and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2021
The law on antique firearms is changing. From 22 March 2021 some firearms previously regarded as antique, and therefore exempt from control, no longer qualify as such and must now be licensed. Owners of these firearms must act by 23:59 on 21 September 2021 to licence them or lawfully dispose of them.
Home Office Circular 001/2021: Antique firearms
Home Office Circular 008/2021: Antique firearms
12 December 2019: Firearms Regulations 2019 and the Firearms (Amendment) (No. 2) Rules 2019
The amendments made under the Firearms Acts introduce changes to the controls on firearms relating to:
- responsibility for secure storage arrangements in relation to certificate holders under the age of eighteen
- the particulars to be entered by firearms dealers into their register of transactions in order to reflect new marking requirements for firearms and essential component parts
- the notification of certain deactivated firearms held in the United Kingdom and their transfer
Forms are available to notify the Secretary of State of possession, or transfer, or a deactivated firearm.