Correspondence

The Firearms (Variation of Fees) Order 2015

Published 17 March 2015

• This circular covers the amendments made to the Firearms Act 1968 and the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988 in respect of the firearms licensing fees charged by the police.

• Section 43 of the Firearms Act 1968 gives the Secretary of State the power to amend the firearms licensing fees by order.

• The new fees come into force on Monday 6 April 2015.

• Firearms licensing applications received by the police on or after 6th April 2015 will incur the new fee. If an application and related payment has been received by the police on or before 5th April, the police will honour the fee that has been paid. Applications to renew firearm and shot gun certificates should continue to be made within the usual timescales (please check the police force website for this information). Applicants should not apply ‘extra early’ in order to avoid paying the new certificate fees. In these cases the police may return applications and request that the new fee is paid.

• Police forces need to update related guidance and websites to reflect the new fees to be charged.

• The new fees are based on estimated timings of the firearms licensing process using eCommerce. The new fees were agreed by a working group comprising the police, members from representative shooting organisations and other Government departments. The proposal went out for public consultation and the majority of respondents (73%) agreed that there should be an increase to the fees.

• We are amending our existing firearms legislation by introducing amendments to section 32(1),section 35(1)and section 35(3) of the Firearms Act 1968 and sections 11(3) and 17(8) of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988 to make provision for an increase in firearms licensing fees relating to the grant, renewal or variation of a firearm or shotgun certificate (including co-terminous grant or renewal) registration as a registered firearms dealer; and applications for a visitors’ permit.

• Section 32(1)(a) – 32(1)(f) of the Firearms Act 1968 as amended specifies the fees to be charged by the police for the grant, renewal or variation of certificates for firearms (£88, £62, £20) or for the grant or renewal of shot guns (£79.50, £49).

• The fees to be charged for replacement certificates and for variations (not like for like) have also changed (£4 and £20).

• Sections 35(1),35(1A)(b) and35(3) of the Firearms Act 1968 as amended specify the fees to be charged by the police for registration as a registered firearms dealer for a new certificate or upon renewal (£200) and for game fairs (£13).

• Section 11(3) of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988 specifies the fees to be charged by the police for the co-terminous grant or renewal of a firearm or shot gun certificate.

• For co-terminous grant or renewal applications there are four scenarios where the new fees apply. In all situations the fee is calculated using the fee for the firearms grant or renewal plus an additional amount for the shot gun grant or renewal. The scenarios are explained in more detail below:

  • When an applicant is granted a shot gun certificate at the same time as a firearms certificate the total fee payable will be £90. The fee for the grant of a shotgun certificate will be £2 and the fee for the firearm certificate will be £88.
  • When an applicant is granted a shotgun certificate at the same time as renewing a firearm certificate the total fee payable will be £90. The fee for the grant of a shot gun certificate will be £28 and the fee for the firearm renewal will be £62.
  • When an applicant is renewing a shot gun certificate at the same time as being granted a firearm certificate the total fee payable will be £90. The fee for the renewal of a shotgun certificate will be £2 and the fee for the firearm certificate will be £88.
  • When an applicant is renewing a shot gun certificate at the same time as renewing a firearms certificate the total fee payable will be £65. The fee for the renewal of a shotgun certificate will be £3 and the fee for a renewal of a firearm certificate will be £62.

• Section 17(8) of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988 as amended specifies the fees to be charged by the police for the grant of a visitors’ permit (£20 for individual applications and £100 for group applications of six or more permits for firearms and/or shot guns).

• From 6 April 2015 the new fees are:

Certificate type	Grant or renewal of certificate	Total fee payable
Firearm certificate	Grant	£88
Firearm certificate	Renewal	£62
Shot gun certificate	Grant	£79.50
Shot gun certificate	Renewal	£49
Registered firearms dealer	Grant / renewal	£200
Visitors’ permit	Individual	£20
Visitors’ permit	Group (six or more permits)	£100
Co-terminous certificates	Grant of both shotgun and firearm certificates	£90
Co-terminous certificates	Grant of a shotgun certificate /renewal of firearm certificate	£90
Co-terminous certificates	Renewal of a shotgun certificate /grant of a firearm certificate	£90
Co-terminous certificates	Renewal of both shotgun and firearm certificates	£65
Game fairs	Grant	£13
Replacement certificate		£4
Variation (not like for like) – applicable only to firearm certificates		£20

• The fees charged in respect of Home Office or Scottish Government approved shooting clubs and museums will remain at the current levels set - £84 and £200 respectively.

Please see following links:

• The Firearms (Variation of Fees) Order 2015
• Firearms Act 1968
• Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988
• Home Office Guide to Firearms Licensing Law
• Firearms licensing