Collection

Firearms

This series brings together firearms guidance and application forms.

From:
Home Office
Published
7 October 2013
Last updated
7 July 2022 — See all updates

This collection contains information about:

  • how to apply for firearms certificates
  • firearms law
  • firearms safety

It also includes statistics that show the number of firearms and shotgun certificates in England and Wales.

There are plans to launch a surrender and compensation scheme for the surrender of certain firearms and offensive weapons. Details of the scheme, including when it will start, how to surrender items and make a claim for compensation will be published on GOV.UK ahead of the launch.

Application forms

Firearms law

Changes to the law on antique firearms

The law on antique firearms has changed. If you own antique firearms, you must take action before 22 September 2021.

Some firearms that could previously be possessed without a firearm certificate as an antique are now subject to licensing. If you own such firearms and you wish to keep them, you must apply to the police for a firearms certificate by 22 September 2021. Alternatively, you can surrender, sell or otherwise dispose of your firearms before 22 September 2021.

You can find more information about the antique firearms affected by the Antique Firearms Regulations 2021 and the options for owners on gov.uk.

Firearms safety

Rifle or pistol clubs

Ships with armed guards

Statistics

Published 7 October 2013
Last updated 7 July 2022 + show all updates

  1. Added 'Statistics on firearm and shotgun certificates, England and Wales: April 2021 to March 2022', updated 'User guide to statistics on firearm and shotgun certificates, England and Wales'.

  2. Updated information on changes to the law on antique firearms and the action required.

  3. Added 'Statistics on firearm and shotgun certificates, England and Wales: April 2020 to March 2021', updated 'User guide to statistics on firearm and shotgun certificates, England and Wales'.

  4. Added 'Statistics on firearm and shotgun certificates, England and Wales: April 2019 to March 2020', updated 'User guide to statistics on firearm and shotgun certificates, England and Wales'.

  5. Updated firearms security handbook added

  6. Updated to accompany publication of 'Statistics on firearm and shotgun certificates, England and Wales: April 2018 to March 2019'.

  7. Added 'Firearm and shotgun certificates in England and Wales, financial year ending 31 March 2018'.

  8. Added 'Firearm and shotgun certificates in England and Wales: financial year ending 2017' and 'Firearm and shotgun certificates in England and Wales: financial year ending 2017: data tables', updated 'User guide to firearm and shotgun certificate statistics'.

  9. Updated ‘User guide to firearm and shotgun certificate statistics’.

  10. Added 'Firearm and shotgun certificates in England and Wales financial year ending March 2016’, 'Firearm and shotgun certificates in England and Wales financial year ending March 2016: data tables’.

  11. Added 'Firearm and shotgun certificates in England and Wales financial year ending March 2015', 'Firearm and shotgun certificates in England and Wales financial year ending March 2015: data tables', updated 'User guide to firearm and shotgun certificate statistics'.

  12. Added firearms control at the point of entry into the UK

  13. Added 'Firearms, Firearm certificates in England and Wales statistics and Policing statistics' and 'User guide to firearm and shotgun certificate statistics'.

  14. First published.

Contents

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