National statistics

Statistics on firearm and shotgun certificates, England and Wales: April 2022 to March 2023

Published 6 July 2023

Applies to England and Wales

This release presents statistics on firearm and shotgun certificates issued by police forces in England and Wales under the Firearms Act 1968 (as amended).

Frequency of release: Annual

Next releases: Home Office statistics release calendar

Home Office responsible statistician: Jenny Bradley

Press enquiries: 0300 123 3535

Public enquiries: PolicingStatistics@homeoffice.gov.uk

A firearm or shotgun certificate is a licence issued by the police. It allows an individual to possess a firearm or shotgun, as well as any associated ammunition. Firearm and shotgun certificates are valid for 5 years and the holder must apply to renew a licence before the expiry date.

This release includes data, trends and police force comparisons on:

New to this release

Statistics on temporary firearm and shotgun permits are included within this publication for the first time. Whilst the coverage and quality of the data is considered to be good, they have been designated as experimental statistics, to acknowledge that they are new and that further development of the data collection and quality assurance process is needed. See chapter 8.4 for more information.

The user guide provides additional information on statistics on firearm and shotgun certificates.

The accompanying data tables provide supplementary data to this release.

1. Data coverage

The statistics in this release are taken from the National Firearms Licensing Management System (NFLMS). This is a register of all people who have applied for, or have been granted, a firearm or shotgun certificate (including registered firearms dealers). The system’s database is updated continuously, and the statistics in this release are from data taken on 31 March 2023.

The user guide provides additional information on data coverage.

2. Summary of statistics

Data taken from the NFLMS on 31 March 2023 showed that there were:

• 147,140 firearm certificates on issue, a 3% decrease compared with 31 March 2022

• 500,894 shotgun certificates on issue, a 4% decrease compared with 31 March 2022

• 516,500 people who held a firearm and or a shotgun certificate, a 4% decrease compared with 31 March 2022

• 3,106 temporary firearm permits and 8,062 temporary shotgun permits; figures on temporary firearm and shotgun permits are included in this release for the first time and are designated as experimental statistics

In the year ending 31 March 2023, there were:

• 6,528 new applications for firearm certificates, of which 97% were granted and 3% were refused (a similar proportion to the year ending 31 March 2022)

• 16,358 new applications for shotgun certificates, of which 96% were granted and 4% were refused (a similar proportion to the year ending 31 March 2022)

• 3,524 new coterminous applications, of which 96% were granted and 4% were refused (this allows for a holders’ firearm and shotgun certificate to expire on the same day)

• 418 firearm certificates revoked, a 9% increase (+33) compared with the year ending 31 March 2022

• 1,161 shotgun certificates revoked, an 8% increase (+86) compared with the year ending 31 March 2022

• 522 firearms and shotguns reported as lost or stolen (0.03% of around 2 million firearms and shotguns covered by certificates on issue over the same period), a 19% increase (+83) compared with the year ending 31 March 2022

Numbers of firearm and shotgun certificates on issue, and applications for new certificates, remain lower than levels seen prior to COVID-19. Previously there had been a downward trend in these figures, and therefore it is not yet clear whether current levels are a temporary effect of COVID-19 or reflect a longer term trend.

3. Firearm and shotgun licensing

All people who acquire or are in possession of a firearm and or shotgun must hold a certificate issued by the Chief Officer in the police force area they live in, unless they are exempt. Chapter 6 in the Home Office Guide on Firearms Licensing Law explains the exemptions in more detail.

The Chief Officer can issue a firearm or shotgun certificate if they are satisfied that:

• the applicant has a ‘good reason’ for having the firearm; the ‘good reason’ test applied to firearms certificates is complex, but most firearm certificate holders possess firearms for reasons relating to their profession, sport, collection or recreation

• the applicant is fit to possess a firearm

• public safety or the peace is not at risk

On 1 November 2021, Statutory Guidance for Chief Officers of Police was introduced and was revised on 14 February 2023. The Statutory Guidance requires police forces to consider relevant medical information about an applicant before issuing a firearm or shotgun certificate or registration of a firearms dealer.

The user guide provides additional information on legislation and regulations.

4. Firearm certificates on issue decreased by 3% and shotgun certificates on issue decreased by 4%

Figure 1 shows there were 147,140 firearm certificates on issue as at 31 March 2023, a 3% decrease (-4,078), compared with 31 March 2022 (151,218). The number of firearm certificates on issue has decreased over the last 4 years, following a steady increase prior to 2019.

Figure 1 also shows there were 500,894 shotgun certificates on issue as at 31 March 2023, a 4% decrease (-21,733) compared with 31 March 2022 (522,627), and the lowest number since comparable records began, following the introduction of the NFLMS in 2007. The number of shotgun certificates on issue had previously shown small fluctuations between 2014 and 2019 (between 561,000 and 583,000), with decreases for the last 4 years.

Figure 1: Firearm and shotgun certificates on issue, England and Wales, as at 31 March 2014 to 2023

Source: Home Office, Statistics on firearm and shotgun certificates data tables, Tables 1 and 3.

Data on firearm and shotgun certificates on issue by police force area are in Tables 2 and 4.

5. Steady increase in average number of weapons covered by firearm and shotgun certificates continues

As at 31 March 2023, an average of 4.2 firearms were held on a firearms certificate. This compares with 4.1 as at 31 March 2022 and is the highest average recorded since 2009 (when comparable records began). The average number of firearms held on a certificate has shown a steady increase over the past 15 years, with the lowest being 3.1 as at 31 March 2009.

As at 31 March 2023, an average of 2.7 shotguns were held on a shotgun certificate. This compares with 2.6 as at 31 March 2022 and is the highest average recorded since 2009 (when comparable records began). Between 2009 and 2020, the average was between 2.3 and 2.4 and has increased in each of the last 3 years.

Despite the small increase in the average number of firearms and shotguns held on certificates, the total number of firearms covered by certificates on issue decreased by 1% (-5,221) to 615,627 as at March 2023, and the total number of shotguns covered by certificates on issue decreased by 2% (-27,127) to 1,340,452 as at March 2023.

5.1 Types of weapons included on firearm certificates

Types of firearms

Firearms are categorised as rifles, handguns, muzzle-loading handguns, section 1 shotguns, sound moderators and other firearm types. Section 1 shotguns in general have a magazine (cartridge holder) that can hold more than 2 rounds and are held on firearm certificates. The user guide provides further definitions for other firearm types.

Of the 615,627 firearms covered by a firearm certificate in England and Wales as at 31 March 2023, the majority (57%) were rifles and 32% were sound moderators. These proportions have remained stable over the last 8 years.

Rifles are typically used for target shooting, controlling vermin or sports shooting.

Sound moderators are an accessory designed to reduce the noise or flash of a firearm. They are held on a firearm certificate.

5.2 Types of weapons included on shotgun certificates

Types of shotguns

Shotguns are categorised as section 2 shotguns (in general, these may have a magazine (cartridge holder) restricted to 2 rounds) and other shotgun types. The user guide provides further definitions for other shotgun types.

Of the 1,340,452 shotguns covered by a shogun certificate in England and Wales as at 31 March 2023, almost all (over 99%) were section 2 shotguns. Other shotgun types, or those with no type recorded on the NFLMS, accounted for fewer than 1% of shotguns (0.3% and 0.1%, respectively).

A section 2 shotgun is held on a shotgun certificate and they are mainly used for vermin control, clay pigeon shooting and sporting purposes.

Data on weapons held on firearm and shotgun certificates by police force area are in Tables 2, 4 and 14.

6. Number of certificate holders has decreased by 4%

As at 31 March 2023, 516,500 people held a firearm and or shotgun certificate. This was a 4% decrease (-22,712) compared with 31 March 2022, and the lowest number since comparable figures have been available (March 2016). This total figure includes those that hold either a firearm certificate or shotgun certificate only, and those that hold both types of certificate. A person is only counted once if they hold both a firearm and a shotgun certificate.

Of the 516,500 certificate holders:

• 94% (483,829) were male
• 0.2% (1,275) were aged 17 years or under
• 13% (64,799) were aged 18 to 34
• 19% (100,237) were aged 35 to 49
• 36% (188,163) were aged 50 to 64
• 31% (162,026) were aged 65 and over
• the youngest shotgun certificate holder as at 31 March 2023 was aged 9 (as at 31 March 2022 the youngest shotgun certificate holder was aged 8)
• the youngest firearm certificate holder as at 31 March 2023 was aged 14 (as at 31 March 2022 the youngest firearm certificate holder was also aged 14)

Children aged 13 and under cannot lawfully hold a firearm certificate. Information on the exemptions that apply to young people under the Firearms Act which allow them to possess a firearm or shotgun in certain circumstances, for example; sporting purposes, use at a rifle or pistol club, cadet corps or miniature rifle range is available in Appendix 4 in the Home Office Guide on firearms licensing law and provides further detail on the laws and exemptions for young people holding certificates.

Figure 2: Population and firearm and or shotgun certificate holders by age group, England and Wales, as at 31 March 2023

Source:
1. Home Office, Statistics on firearm and shotgun certificates data tables, Table 12.
2. Office for National Statistics (ONS) 2021 census.

Figure 2 shows that those aged 50 and over are more likely to hold a firearm, and or shotgun certificate than those in younger age groups. Those over 50 account for 38% of the total population of England and Wales and 67% (350,189) of firearm and or shotgun certificate holders.

The age and gender spread for those that held a firearm certificate and those that held a shotgun certificate were very similar, as displayed in Table 1.

Table 1: People who held a firearm and or shotgun certificate by age and gender, England and Wales, as at 31 March 2023

	People who held a firearm certificate	People who held a shotgun certificate	People who held a firearm certificate per 100,000 population	People who held a shotgun certificate per 100,000 population
Male	97% (142,051)	94% (469,621)	487	1,610
Female	3% (5,060)	6% (31,250)	17	103
Gender unknown	0.0% (2)	0.0% (3)	Not available	Not available
13 and under	Not applicable	0.01% (72)	Not applicable	1
14 to 17 years	0.1% (137)	0.2% (1,185)	5	43
18 to 34 years	12% (17,793)	13% (63,579)	137	489
35 to 49 years	21% (30,298)	20% (97,919)	263	850
50 to 64 years	38% (55,603)	36% (182,519)	479	1,572
65 years and over	29% (43,282)	31% (155,600)	391	1,406

Source:
1. Home Office, Statistics on firearm and shotgun certificates data tables, Tables 12 and 13.
2. Office for National Statistics (ONS) 2021 census.

Notes:
1. People aged 13 and under cannot lawfully hold a firearm certificate.
2. Office for National Statistics (ONS) 2021 census do not include data for ‘gender unknown’ therefore ‘per 100,000 population’ figures are not available.
3. Data on ‘gender’ is derived from information supplied by the person applying for a certificate and is based on their sense of self. The data is collected for ‘female’ and ‘male’; missing data is reported as ‘unknown’. See the user guide for more information.

6.1 Firearms and shotguns held on certificate by police force area

As shown in Figure 3, the police force areas with the highest number of firearms (held on certificate) per 100,000 people were those in more rural areas: Dyfed-Powys (2,785), Cumbria (2,548) and Norfolk (2,292).

Police force areas with the lowest number of firearms (held on certificate) per 100,000 people were those with larger metropolitan areas: Metropolitan Police (196), West Midlands (322) and Merseyside (336).

Certificates are issued by the police force area that the holder’s primary address is in. However, the weapon may be stored and used in another police force area.

Figure 3: Firearms per 100,000 people by police force area, England and Wales, as at 31 March 2023

Source:
1. Home Office, Statistics on firearm and shotgun certificates data tables, Table 2.
2. Office for National Statistics (ONS) 2021 census.
3. The areas with the highest and lowest number of certificates per 100,000 people are labelled.

Notes:
1. City of London is not included as the 2021 census population estimate is less than 100,000.

Similar to the geographical patterns for firearms in Figure 3, the areas with the highest number of shotguns (held on certificate) per 100,000 people as at 31 March 2023 were also police forces in more rural areas: Dyfed-Powys (6,557), Norfolk (6,459) and Suffolk (5,714). The lowest were larger metropolitan areas including Merseyside (505), the Metropolitan Police (519) and Greater Manchester (553) (Figure 4).

Figure 4: Shotguns per 100,000 people by police force area, England and Wales, as at 31 March 2023

Source:
1. Home Office, Statistics on firearm and shotgun certificates data tables, Table 4.
2. Office for National Statistics (ONS) 2021 census.
3. The areas with the highest and lowest number of certificates per 100,000 people are labelled.

Notes:
1. City of London is not included as the 2021 census population estimate is less than 100,000.

Data covering the certificate type, gender and age of certificate holders by police force area can be found in Tables 11, 12 and 13.

Areas that are more rural are consistently the police force areas with the highest number of firearms and shotguns per 100,000 people. The population is often lower in police forces in more rural areas than those that cover cities. Firearms and shotguns owned in rural areas are more likely to be used for employment purposes (for example, gamekeeping and farming) and leisure activities (for example, target shooting and game shooting).

7. Revocations and new applications for certificates increased; renewal applications decreased

7.1 Firearm certificates

In the year ending 31 March 2023, there were:

• 6,528 new applications for firearm certificates, an increase of 3% (206) compared with the year ending 31 March 2022 (6,322)
  • of these new applications, 3% (206) were refused, a similar proportion to the year ending 31 March 2022 (2%)
• 26,315 firearm certificate renewal applications, a decrease of 2% (585) compared with the year ending 31 March 2022 (26,900)
  • almost all renewal applications were granted (26,175), and just 0.5% (140) were refused
• 418 firearm certificates that were revoked, a 9% increase (+33) compared with the year ending 31 March 2022

7.2 Shotgun certificates

In the year ending 31 March 2023, there were:

• 16,358 new applications for shotgun certificates, an increase of 4% (632) compared with the year ending 31 March 2022 (15,726)
  • of these new applications, 4% (647) were refused, a similar proportion to the year ending 31 March 2022 (3%)
• 3,524 new coterminous applications (this allows for a holders’ firearm and shotgun certificate to expire on the same day; more information is included in the user guide, a similar number to the year ending 31 March 2022 (3,533)
• 67,221 shotgun certificate renewal applications, a decrease of 4% (2,715) compared with the year ending 31 March 2022 (69,936)
  • of which almost all (66,886), were granted and 0.5% (335) were refused
• 24,541 applications for coterminous renewals, a similar number to the year ending 31 March 2022 (24,693)
• 1,161 shotgun certificates that were revoked, an 8% increase (+86) compared with the year ending 31 March 2022

Refusals: The Chief Officer within the police force concerned may refuse an application if they are not satisfied that the applicant can fulfil the criteria required to grant or renew a certificate. All application refusals must have reasons clearly justified and explained.

The Chief Officer within the police force concerned can revoke a firearm or shotgun certificate including, for example, if they believe that the holder is prohibited from possessing a firearm or shotgun, or if their possession of the firearm or shotgun is considered to be a danger to public safety or the peace.

Data on new applications, renewals and revocations by police force area are in Tables 2, 4 and 5.

8. Additional statistics

8.1 Registered firearms dealers decreased by 6%

On 31 March 2023, there were 2,822 registered firearms dealers in England and Wales. This represents a 6% decrease (-185) compared with 31 March 2022 (3,007). In the year ending 31 March 2023, there were 1,061 renewal applications from dealers, over a third (38%) of all registered dealers. Firearms dealers are required to renew their licence every 3 years, and a large proportion of dealers apply to renew their licence in the same year at the end of each 3 year cycle, as shown in Table 6.

A firearms dealer may only conduct business (including exhibiting at game fairs, arms fairs and other temporary events), if they are registered as a firearms dealer by the Chief Officer for that police force area. Therefore, within the total figure of registered firearms dealers, a dealer may appear more than once if they are registered in more than one police force area.

Data on registered firearm dealers by police force area are in Tables 6 and 7.

8.2 Number of visitors’ permits have increased

In the year ending 31 March 2023 there were:

• 1,519 people covered by individual or group visitors’ permits for firearms, an increase of 39% compared to the year ending 31 March 2022 (1,096)
• 4,673 people covered by individual or group visitors’ permits for shotguns, an increase of 8% compared to the year ending 31 March 2022 (4,315)

Figures for visitors’ permits have increased in each of the last 2 years following a sharp decrease during the COVID-19 pandemic. Visitors’ permits for firearms increased by over a third in the year ending 31 March 2023, with levels returning close to those seen prior to COVID-19. Visitors’ permits for shotguns showed a smaller increase, with numbers at around two-thirds of those seen prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Data on visitors’ permits by police force area are in Tables 8, 9 and 10.

8.3 Firearms and shotguns reported lost or stolen

In the year ending 31 March 2023, 522 firearms and shotguns were reported as lost or stolen, of which 216 were lost and 306 were stolen. This equates to 0.03% of firearms and shotguns covered by certificates on issue over the same period (around 2 million) and compares with 439 in the year ending 31 March 2022 (0.02% of total firearms and shotguns covered by certificates).

The 216 lost firearms and shotguns included shotguns (164), sound moderators (24) and rifles (19). The 306 stolen firearms and shotguns included shotguns (209), rifles (52) and sound moderators (39).

Data on lost and stolen firearm and shotguns by police force area are in Table 15.

8.4 Temporary firearm and shotgun permits

Statistics on temporary firearm and shotgun permits are included in this release for the first time. Whilst the coverage and quality of the data is considered to be good, they have been designated as experimental statistics, to acknowledge that they are new and that further development of the data collection and quality assurance process is needed.

As at 31 March 2023, there were:

• 3,106 temporary firearm permits
• 8,062 temporary shotgun permits

Chief Officers of police forces are authorised by section 7 of the Firearms Act 1968 to issue temporary permits in certain limited circumstances to temporarily enable the possession of firearms or shotguns where it may not be necessary or desirable to issue a certificate or, exceptionally, where a certificate holder’s application for renewal of a firearm and or shotgun certificate cannot be processed before the certificate expires. In addition, a temporary permit may be issued to authorise the temporary possession of firearms, shotguns or ammunition by a relative, executor of a will or receiver or liquidator of a bankrupt’s estate.