Accredited official statistics

Firearm and shotgun certificates, April 2024 to March 2025

Published 19 June 2025

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).

A firearm or shotgun certificate is a type of licence issued by the police. It allows the holder to possess a firearm or shotgun and associated ammunition in Great Britain. 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:

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), which is updated continuously. This is a register of all people who have applied for, or have been granted, a firearm or shotgun certificate (including registered firearms dealers). Data is either as at 31 March 2025 or relates to data recorded between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025.

The user guide provides additional information on data coverage.

2. Summary of statistics

Data taken from the NFLMS as at 31 March 2025 showed that there were:

• 145,306 firearm certificates on issue, a 1% decrease compared with 31 March 2024 (147,364)
• 482,612 shotgun certificates on issue, a 3% decrease compared with 31 March 2024 (495,798)
• 496,904 people who held either a firearm certificate, a shotgun certificate or both; a 3% decrease compared with 31 March 2024 (510,717)
• 626,276 firearms covered by a firearm certificate and 1,332,209 shotguns covered by a shotgun certificate
• 459 temporary firearm permits, a 10% decrease compared with 31 March 2024 (510)
• 1,361 temporary shotgun permits, a 31% increase compared with 31 March 2024 (1,042); this increase was mainly accounted for by 3 police forces who had a large backlog of cases; excluding these police forces, there was a 75% decrease in temporary shotgun permits

In the year ending 31 March 2025, there were:

• 6,991 new applications completed for firearm certificates, a 3% increase compared with the previous year (6,809) and the highest number since the year ending 31 March 2020 (7,962)
• 16,392 new applications completed for shotgun certificates, a 1% decrease compared with the previous year (16,529)
• 4,134 new coterminous applications completed, a 9% increase compared with the previous year (3,778; coterminous certificates allow a holders’ firearm and shotgun certificate to expire on the same day)
• 334 new applications for firearm certificates refused (5%), a 19% decrease compared with the previous year (414) but the second highest number since comparable records began
• 1,073 new applications for shotgun certificates refused (7%), a similar number to the previous year (1,072) and the highest since comparable records began
• 542 firearm certificates revoked, a 7% increase compared with the year ending 31 March 2024 (507) and the highest number since comparable records began
• 1,476 shotgun certificates revoked; the second highest number since comparable records began, but a 5% decrease compared with the previous year (1,559)
• 455 firearms and shotguns reported as lost or stolen (0.02% of around 2 million firearms and shotguns covered by certificates on issue over the same period), a 10% increase compared with the year ending 31 March 2024

Refusals and revocations of firearm and shotgun certificates have shown an upward trend over recent years, which may be partially due to the introduction of statutory guidance for police on firearms licensing in November 2021 which aimed to improve consistency and licensing standards across police forces.

In the years ending 31 March 2024 and 2025, the number of refused and revoked firearm and shotgun certificates have been at their highest since comparable records began. These increases may in part be linked to the release of revised statutory guidance for police on firearms licensing in February 2023.

The decrease in temporary firearm permits may be due to the revised statutory guidance issued in February 2023, which stated that forces with significantly high numbers of temporary permits on issue should work to ensure these numbers were substantially reduced.

The increase in temporary shotgun permits was mainly accounted for by 3 police forces who had a backlog of cases; excluding these police forces, there was a 75% decrease in temporary shotgun permits.

3. Firearm and shotgun licensing

All people who acquire or are in possession of a firearm or shotgun must hold a certificate issued by the chief officer of the police force area they live in, unless they are otherwise exempt. Chapter 6 of 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:

1. The applicant has ‘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.
2. The applicant is fit to be entrusted with a firearm.
3. Public safety or the peace is not at risk.

On 1 November 2021, statutory guidance for chief officers of police was introduced, and it 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 before registration of a firearms dealer.

The user guide provides additional information on legislation and regulations.

4. Firearm and shotgun certificates on issue

4.1 Downward trend in the number of firearms and shotguns on issue continued

Figure 1 shows there were 145,306 firearm certificates on issue as at 31 March 2025, a 1% decrease (-2,058) compared with 31 March 2024 (147,364). This decrease is consistent with the year-on-year decreases seen between 31 March 2019 and 31 March 2023.

Figure 1 also shows there were 482,612 shotgun certificates on issue as at 31 March 2025, a 3% decrease (-13,186) compared with 31 March 2024 (495,798). This is the sixth consecutive year there has been a decrease and marks the lowest number of shotgun certificates on issue 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 549,000 and 583,000 over the 2008 to 2019 period).

Figure 1: Firearm and shotgun certificates on issue (thousands), England and Wales, as at 31 March 2008 to 2025

Source: Home Office, Firearm and shotgun certificates, April 2024 to March 2025: data tables; tables 1 and 3

Data on firearm and shotgun certificates on issue by police force area is in tables 2 and 4.

5. Average number of weapons covered by firearm and shotgun certificates

As at 31 March 2025, an average (mean) of 4.3 firearms were held on a firearms certificate. This is a small increase compared with the previous year 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 16 years, with the lowest being 3.1 as at 31 March 2009.

As at 31 March 2025, an average (mean) of 2.8 shotguns were held on a shotgun certificate. This is a small increase compared with the previous year 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 steadily increased since then.

5.1 Majority of weapons covered by firearm certificates were rifles and sound moderators

Types of firearms

Firearms are categorised as rifles, handguns, muzzle-loading handguns, section 1 shotguns, sound moderators and other firearm types. Section 1 shotguns 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 626,276 firearms covered by a firearm certificate in England and Wales as at 31 March 2025, the majority (57%) were rifles and 33% were sound moderators. These proportions have remained stable over the last 10 years.

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

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

5.2 Almost all weapons covered by shotgun certificates were section 2 shotguns

Types of shotguns

Shotguns are categorised as section 2 shotguns (in general, these either have no magazine (cartridge holder) or have a non-detachable magazine incapable of holding more than 2 cartridges). The user guide provides further definitions for other shotgun types.

Of the 1,332,209 shotguns covered by a shotgun certificate in England and Wales as at 31 March 2025, 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 (0.4% and 0.1%, respectively).

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

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

6. Number of certificate holders

6.1 Lowest number of certificate holders since comparable records began

As at 31 March 2025, 496,904 people held either a firearm certificate, a shotgun certificate, or both. This was a 3% decrease (-13,813) compared with 31 March 2024, and is 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 counted just once if they hold both a firearm and a shotgun certificate.

Of the 496,904 certificate holders:

Gender

• 94% (465,157) were male
• 6% (31,747) were female

Individuals are asked to provide self-defined gender during the application process when applying for a certificate.

Age

• 0.2% (1,045) were aged 17 years or under
• 11% (56,577) were aged 18 to 34
• 19% (95,934) were aged 35 to 49
• 35% (174,916) were aged 50 to 64
• 34% (168,432) were aged 65 and over
• the youngest shotgun certificate holder as at 31 March 2025 was aged 7 (as at 31 March 2024 the youngest shotgun certificate holder was aged 10)
• the youngest firearm certificate holder as at 31 March 2025 was aged 14 (as at 31 March 2024 the youngest firearm certificate holder was also aged 14)

Young people aged 13 and under cannot lawfully hold a firearm certificate. Information on the exemptions that apply to young people under the Firearms Act 1968, which allow them to possess a firearm or shotgun in certain circumstances (for example; sporting purposes, for 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: Resident population and firearm or shotgun certificate holders by age group, England and Wales, as at 31 March 2025

Source: Home Office, Firearm and shotgun certificates, April 2024 to March 2025: data tables; table 9; Office for National Statistics (ONS) mid-2023 population estimates

Figure 2 shows that those aged 50 and over are more likely to hold a firearm or shotgun certificate (or both) than those in younger age groups. Those aged 50 and over account for 38% of the total population of England and Wales and 69% (343,348) of firearm or shotgun (or both) certificate holders.

Table 1 shows that the proportion of those holding a firearm certificate was very similar to those holding a shotgun certificate by age group. A higher proportion of females held shotgun certificates (6%) compared to firearms certificates (4%).

Table 1: People who held a firearm or shotgun certificate by age and gender, England and Wales, as at 31 March 2025

	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	96% (140,166)	94% (452,153)	470	1,515
Female	4% (5,106)	6% (30,451)	16	98
13 and under	Not applicable	0.01% (66)	Not applicable	1
14 to 17 years	0.1% (155)	0.2% (957)	5	33
18 to 34 years	11% (16,011)	12% (55,611)	121	420
35 to 49 years	21% (30,067)	19% (93,938)	256	801
50 to 64 years	36% (52,813)	35% (169,944)	448	1,442
65 years and over	32% (46,226)	34% (162,088)	403	1,414

Source: Home Office, Firearm and shotgun certificates, April 2024 to March 2025: data tables; tables 9 and 11; Office for National Statistics (ONS) mid-2023 population estimates

Notes:

1. People aged 13 and under cannot lawfully hold a firearm certificate.
2. Gender is reported as provided by the applicant on the certificate application form. The available options are ‘female’ and ‘male’; if no selection is made, gender is reported as unknown.

6.2 Police forces with highest number of firearms and shotguns per 100,000 people were in more rural areas

As shown in Figure 3, the police force areas with the highest number of firearms (held on certificates) per 100,000 people were those in more rural areas: North Yorkshire (3,029), Dyfed-Powys (2,977) and Cumbria (2,453).

Police force areas with the lowest number of firearms (held on certificates) per 100,000 people were those with larger metropolitan areas: Metropolitan Police (188), West Midlands (319) and Merseyside (338).

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 2025

Source: Home Office, Firearm and shotgun certificates, April 2024 to March 2025: data tables; table 2; Office for National Statistics (ONS) mid-2023 population estimates

Notes:

1. City of London is not included as the mid-2023 population estimate is less than 100,000.
2. The areas with the highest and lowest number of certificates per 100,000 people are labelled.

Similar to the geographical patterns for firearms in Figure 3, the areas with the highest number of shotguns (held on certificates) per 100,000 people as at 31 March 2025 were also police forces in more rural areas: Dyfed-Powys (6,618), Norfolk (6,233) and North Yorkshire (5,723). The lowest were larger metropolitan areas including the Metropolitan Police (483), Merseyside (490) and Greater Manchester (524) (Figure 4).

Figure 4: Shotguns per 100,000 people by police force area, England and Wales, as at 31 March 2025

Source: Home Office, Firearm and shotgun certificates, April 2024 to March 2025: data tables; table 4; Office for National Statistics (ONS) mid-2023 population estimates

Notes:

1. City of London is not included as the mid-2023 population estimate is less than 100,000.
2. The areas with the highest and lowest number of certificates per 100,000 people are labelled.

Data covering the certificate type, gender and age of certificate holders by police force area can be found in tables 10 and 12

Police force areas with the highest number of firearms and shotguns per 100,000 people are consistently those in more rural areas. 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) as well as leisure activities (for example, target shooting and game shooting).

7. Applications, refusals and revocations

7.1 Highest number of new applications for firearm certificates completed since year ending March 2020

In the year ending 31 March 2025, there were:

• 6,991 new applications completed for firearm certificates, an increase of 3% (+182) compared with the year ending 31 March 2024 (6,809) and the highest number of new applications completed since 31 March 2020
• 20,894 firearm certificate renewal applications completed, a similar number to the year ending March 2024 (20,839)
• 16,392 new applications completed for shotgun certificates, a decrease of 1% (-137) compared with the year ending 31 March 2024 (16,529)
• 45,167 shotgun certificate renewal applications completed, a decrease of 5% (-2,204) compared with the year ending 31 March 2024 (47,371)
• 4,134 new coterminous applications completed (this allows for a holders’ firearm and shotgun certificate to expire on the same day; more information is included in the user guide), an increase of 9% (+356) compared with the year ending 31 March 2024 (3,778)
• 19,868 applications for coterminous renewals completed, an increase of 2% (+295) compared with the year ending 31 March 2024 (19,573)

7.2 High numbers of firearm and shotgun certificates refused

In the year ending 31 March 2025:

• 334 new applications for firearm certificates were refused (5%), a 19% decrease compared with the previous year (414) but the second highest number since comparable records began, following the introduction of the NFLMS in 2007
• 1,073 new applications for shotgun certificates were refused (7%), a similar number to the previous year (1,072) and the highest since comparable records began, following the introduction of the NFLMS in 2007

7.3 Highest numbers of firearm certificates revoked since comparable records began

In the year ending 31 March 2025:

• 542 firearm certificates were revoked, a 7% increase (+35) compared with the year ending 31 March 2024 (507) and the highest number since comparable records began, following the introduction of the NFLMS in 2007
• 1,476 shotgun certificates were revoked; a 5% decrease (-83) compared with the year ending 31 March 2024 (1,559) but the second highest number since comparable records began

Refusals and revocations of firearm and shotgun certificates have shown an upward trend over recent years, which may be partially due to the introduction of statutory guidance for police on firearms licensing in November 2021 which aimed to improve consistency and licensing standards across forces.

In the years ending 31 March 2024 and 2025, the number of refused and revoked firearm and shotgun certificates have been at their highest since comparable records began. These increases may in part be linked to the release of revised statutory guidance for police on firearms licensing in February 2023.

Refusals: The chief officer of the police force concerned may refuse an application if they are not satisfied that the applicant can fulfil the criteria for the grant or renewal of a certificate. All application refusals must have reasons clearly justified and explained.

The chief officer of the police force concerned can revoke a firearm or shotgun certificate including, for example, if they believe that the holder can no longer be entrusted with a firearm or a shotgun in accordance with the Firearms Act 1968 (as amended), 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 is in tables 2 and 4.

8. Additional statistics

8.1 Number of registered firearms dealers decreased by 3%

On 31 March 2025, there were 2,782 registered firearms dealers in England and Wales. This represents a 3% decrease (-94) compared with 31 March 2024 (2,876). In the year ending 31 March 2025, there were 621 renewal applications from previously registered dealers, a 14% increase continuing the consistent 3-year trend. 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 5.

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 firearms dealers by police force area is in table 6.

8.2 Firearm visitor permits returned to levels seen prior to COVID-19

In the year ending 31 March 2025:

• 1,979 people were covered by individual or group visitors’ permits for firearms, a 30% increase compared to the year ending 31 March 2024 (1,517)
• 5,160 people were covered by individual or group visitors’ permits for shotguns, an increase of 4% compared to the year ending 31 March 2024 (4,944)

Visitors’ permits for firearms and shotguns increased in each of the last 4 years. This increase follows sharp decreases during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the year ending 31 March 2025, visitors’ permits for firearms were at a similar level to that seen prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and shotguns were around two-thirds of the level seen prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Data on visitors’ permits by police force area is in table 8.

8.3 Number of firearms and shotguns reported lost or stolen increased

In the year ending 31 March 2025, 455 firearms and shotguns were reported as lost or stolen, of which 143 were lost and 312 were stolen, a 10% increase compared with the year ending 31 March 2024. This equates to 0.02% of firearms and shotguns covered by certificates on issue over the same period (around 2 million) and compares with 413 in the year ending 31 March 2024 (also 0.02% of total firearms and shotguns covered by certificates).

The 143 lost firearms and shotguns included shotguns (103), sound moderators (22) and rifles (9). The 312 stolen firearms and shotguns included shotguns (250), rifles (36) and sound moderators (20).

Data on lost and stolen firearms and shotguns by police force area is in table 16.

8.4 Number of temporary firearm permits decreased

As at 31 March 2025, there were:

• 459 temporary firearm permits, a decrease of 10% (-51) compared with 31 March 2024 (510)
• 1,361 temporary shotgun permits, an increase of 31% (+319) compared with 31 March 2024 (1,042)

The 31% increase in temporary shotgun permits was mainly accounted for by 3 police forces who had a large backlog of cases; excluding these police forces, there was a 75% decrease in temporary shotgun permits.

The decrease in temporary firearms permits may be due to the revised statutory guidance issued in February 2023, which stated that forces with significantly high numbers of temporary permits on issue should work to ensure these numbers were substantially reduced. The statutory guidance was published on 14 February 2023 and indicated that forces should make these changes within 6 months.

Chief officers of police forces are authorised by section 7 of the Firearms Act 1968 (as amended) 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 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.

Data on temporary firearm and shotgun permits by police force area is in tables 2 and 4.

Accredited Official Statistics

Accredited Official Statistics are called National Statistics in the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007. These statistics have been independently reviewed by the regulator and found to comply with the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics.

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Frequency of release: Annual

Next releases: Home Office statistics release calendar

Home Office responsible statistician: Jenny Bradley

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