Accredited official statistics

Firearm and shotgun certificates, April 2025 to March 2026

Published 18 June 2026

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 2026 or relates to data recorded between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026.

The user guide provides additional information on data coverage.

2. Summary of statistics

Data from the NFLMS as at 31 March 2026 shows that there were:

• 140,257 firearm certificates on issue, a 3% decrease compared with 31 March 2025 (145,306) and the lowest number since the year ending 2009 (138,728)
• 457,340 shotgun certificates on issue, a 5% decrease compared with 31 March 2025 (482,612) and the lowest number since comparable records began in 2007
• 470,785 certificate holders (those holding a firearm certificate, a shotgun certificate or both); a 5% decrease compared with 31 March 2025 (496,904) and the lowest number since comparable records began in 2016
• 623,567 firearms covered by a firearm certificate and 1,300,223 shotguns covered by a shotgun certificate
• 919 temporary firearm permits, an increase of 460 (+100%) compared with 31 March 2025 (459)
• 2,358 temporary shotgun permits, an increase of 997 (+73%) compared with 31 March 2025 (1,361)

In the year ending 31 March 2026, there were:

• 6,265 new firearm certificate applications completed, a 10% decrease compared with the previous year (6,991) and the lowest number since comparable records began in 2007 (excluding year ending 2021 when figures were likely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic)
• 13,896 new shotgun certificate applications completed, a 15% decrease compared with the previous year (16,392) and the lowest number since comparable records began in 2007 (excluding year ending 2021 when figures were likely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic)
• 3,763 new coterminous applications completed, a 9% decrease compared with the previous year (4,134); coterminous certificates allow a holders’ firearm and shotgun certificates to expire on the same day
• 4.3% of new applications for firearm certificates refused (271), down from 4.8% (334) in the previous year
• 4.9% of new applications for shotgun certificates refused (684), down from 6.5% (1,073) in the previous year
• 25,323 firearm certificate renewal applications completed, an increase of 21% (+4,429) compared with the year ending 31 March 2025 (20,894)
• 55,920 shotgun certificate renewal applications completed, an increase of 24% (+10,753) compared with the year ending 31 March 2025 (45,167)
• 23,969 applications for coterminous renewals completed, an increase of 21% (+ 4,101) compared with the year ending 31 March 2025 (19,868)
• 546 firearm certificates revoked, a 1% increase compared with the year ending 31 March 2025 (542) and the highest number since comparable records began in 2007
• 1,453 shotgun certificates revoked, a 2% decrease compared with the year ending 31 March 2025 (1,476)
• 300 firearms and shotguns reported as lost (an increase of 157 (110%) compared with the year ending 31 March 2025) and 210 reported as stolen (a decrease of 102 (33%) compared with the year ending 31 March 2025); 0.03% of around 1.9 million firearms and shotguns covered by certificates on issue over the same period

In summary, the number of firearm and shotgun certificates on issue, the number of certificate holders and the number of applications for certificates completed all fell to record or near-record lows. In contrast, the marked increase in both renewal applications completed and temporary permits issued suggests that forces may have prioritised reducing backlogs in renewal applications. Temporary permits can be issued for a limited period where a certificate holders’ application for renewal of a firearm or shotgun certificate has been submitted in good time but cannot be processed before the current certificate expires. Statutory guidance to chief officers of police, issued by the Home Office, requires that the police be satisfied that the issue of a temporary permit does not give rise to any public safety risk, and the police forces should avoid routinely using temporary permits as a means of managing licensing caseloads within their force.

The number of new applications refused fell for both firearm and shotgun certificates, although this should be considered in the context of a reduction in the total number of applications completed. The number of revocations remained broadly stable.

Feedback from police forces suggests that the increase in firearms and shotguns reported as lost may in part reflect administrative and recording factors, such as cases where items cannot be verified or accounted for, rather than an increase in physical losses. All firearms or shotguns that are reported as lost or stolen are investigated by the police.

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 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 (for example, pest controller or game keeper), 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 5 August 2025. 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 Lowest number of shotgun certificates since comparable record began in 2007

Figure 1 shows there were 140,257 firearm certificates on issue as at 31 March 2026, a 3% decrease (-5,049) compared with 31 March 2025 (145,306). This continues the downward trend and is the lowest number of certificates on issue since March 2009 (138,728).

Figure 1 also shows there were 457,340 shotgun certificates on issue as at 31 March 2026, a 5% decrease (-25,272) compared with 31 March 2025 (482,612). This is the seventh consecutive annual decrease and the lowest number of shotgun certificates on issue since comparable records began, following the introduction of the NFLMS in 2007. Prior to 31 March 2019, the number of shotgun certificates on issue showed small fluctuations.

Figure 1: Firearm and shotgun certificates on issue (thousands), England and Wales, as at 31 March 2009 to 2026

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 is in Tables 2 and 4.

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

As at 31 March 2026, an average (mean) of 4.4 firearms were held on a firearms certificate. This compares with 4.3 as at 31 March 2025 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 17 years, with the lowest being 3.1 as at 31 March 2009.

As at 31 March 2026, an average (mean) of 2.8 shotguns were held on a shotgun certificate. This is the same as the previous year; the highest average recorded since 2009 (when comparable records began). The average number of shotguns held on a shotgun certificate between the year 2009 and 2020 remained relatively stable, between 2.3 and 2.4, with small increases seen in the last few years.

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 623,567 firearms covered by a firearm certificate in England and Wales as at 31 March 2026, the majority (57%) were rifles and 33% were sound moderators. These proportions have remained stable over the last 11 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. These are currently subject to certificate control under section 57(1) of the 1968 Act as an accessory “designed or adapted to diminish the noise or flash caused by firing” a firearm. However, once the changes made by the Crime and Policing Act 2026 come into force (later in 2026), sound moderators will no longer be included within the definition of a firearm and this will no longer apply. Instead, a new section (2A) of the 1968 Act will make it an offence for a person to have in their possession a relevant accessory unless the person holds a firearms certificate or a shotgun certificate, or without an exemption applying.

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 1,300,223 shotguns covered by a shotgun certificate in England and Wales as at 31 March 2026, 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 (0.5% 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 2026, 470,785 people held either a firearm certificate, a shotgun certificate, or both. This was a 5% decrease (-26,119) compared with 31 March 2025, and is the lowest number since comparable figures have been available (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 470,785 certificate holders:

Gender

• 93% (439,977) were male
• 7% (30,808) were female

These proportions were similar as at 31 March 2025. Individuals are asked to provide self-defined gender during the application process when applying for a certificate.

Age

• 0.2% (893) were aged 17 years or under
• 11% (53,046) were aged 18 to 34
• 20% (94,525) were aged 35 to 49
• 35% (163,449) were aged 50 to 64
• 34% (158,872) were aged 65 and over

These proportions were similar as at 31 March 2025:

• the youngest firearm certificate holder as at 31 March 2026 was aged 14 (as at 31 March 2025 the youngest firearm certificate holder was also aged 14)
• the youngest shotgun certificate holder as at 31 March 2026 was aged 8 (as at 31 March 2025 the youngest shotgun certificate holder was aged 7)

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 2026

Source: Home Office, Statistics on firearm and shotgun certificates data tables, Table 9; Office for National Statistics (ONS) mid-2024 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% (322,321) 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 2026

	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	135,240 (96%)	427,751 (94%)	447	1,412
Female	4,977 (4%)	29,586 (6%)	16	94
13 and under	Not applicable	52 (0.01%)	Not applicable	1
14 to 17 years	118 (0.1%)	823 (0.2%)	4	27
18 to 34 years	15,009 (11%)	52,157 (11%)	111	385
35 to 49 years	30,067 (21%)	92,658 (20%)	251	773
50 to 64 years	49,917 (36%)	158,873 (35%)	423	1,347
65 years and over	45,106 (32%)	152,774 (33%)	386	1,309

Source: Home Office, Statistics on firearm and shotgun certificates data tables, Tables 9 and 11; Office for National Statistics (ONS) mid-2024 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 (3,008), Dyfed-Powys (2,998) and Cumbria (2,407).

Police force areas with the lowest number of firearms (held on certificates) per 100,000 people were those with larger metropolitan areas: Metropolitan Police (181), West Midlands (318) and Merseyside (334).

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 2026

Source: Home Office, Statistics on firearm and shotgun certificates data tables, Table 2; Office for National Statistics (ONS) mid-2024 population estimates

Notes:

1. City of London is not included as the mid-2024 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 2026 were also police forces in more rural areas: Dyfed-Powys (6,382), Norfolk (5,960) and North Yorkshire (5,607). The lowest were larger metropolitan areas including the Metropolitan Police (451), Merseyside (469) and Greater Manchester (502) (Figure 4).

Figure 4: Shotguns per 100,000 people by police force area, England and Wales, as at 31 March 2026

Source: Home Office, Statistics on firearm and shotgun certificates data tables, Table 4; Office for National Statistics (ONS) mid-2024 population estimates

Notes:

1. City of London is not included as the mid-2024 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 Number of new firearm certificate applications completed decreased for the first time since year ending March 2021

In the year ending 31 March 2026, there were:

• 6,265 new firearm certificate applications completed, a decrease of 10% (-726) compared with the year ending 31 March 2025 (6,991) and the lowest number since comparable records began in 2007 (excluding year ending 2021 when figures were likely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic)
• 25,323 firearm certificate renewal applications completed, an increase of 21% (+4,429) compared with the year ending 31 March 2025 (20,894)
• 13,896 new shotgun certificate applications completed, a decrease of 15% (-2,496) compared with the year ending 31 March 2025 (16,392) and the lowest number since comparable records began in 2007 (excluding year ending 2021 when figures were likely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic)
• 55,920 shotgun certificate renewal applications completed, an increase of 24% (+10,753) compared with the year ending 31 March 2025 (45,167)
• 3,763 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), a decrease of 9% (-371) compared with the year ending 31 March 2025 (4,134)
• 23,969 applications for coterminous renewals completed, an increase of 21% (+ 4,101) compared with the year ending 31 March 2025 (19,868)

7.2 Decrease in the proportion of firearm and shotgun certificates refused

In the year ending 31 March 2026:

• 4.3% of new applications for firearm certificates were refused (271), down from 4.8% (334) in the previous year
• 4.9% of new applications for shotgun certificates were refused (684), down from 6.5% (1,073) in the previous year

7.3 Number of firearm and shotgun certificates revoked remain stable

In the year ending 31 March 2026:

• 546 firearm certificates were revoked, a 1% increase compared with the year ending 31 March 2025 (542) and the highest since comparable records began in 2007
• 1,453 shotgun certificates were revoked, a 2% decrease compared with the year ending 31 March 2025 (1,476)

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 6%

On 31 March 2026, there were 2,619 registered firearms dealers in England and Wales. This is a 6% decrease (-163) compared with the year ending 31 March 2025 (2,782). In the year ending 31 March 2026, there were 885 renewal applications from previously registered dealers, a 43% increase compared with the year ending 31 March 2025 (621), but lower than the figure 3 years ago (1,061). 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. See Table 5 for more details.

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 Highest number of firearm visitor permits since year ending March 2012

In the year ending 31 March 2026:

• 2,684 people were covered by individual or group visitors’ permits for firearms, a 36% increase (+705) compared with the year ending 31 March 2025 (1,979) and the highest level since the year ending March 2012 (3,399)
• 5,202 people were covered by individual or group visitors’ permits for shotguns, a 1% increase (+42) compared with the year ending 31 March 2025 (5,160)

Applications for visitors’ permits for firearms and shotguns increased in each of the last 5 years. This increase follows sharp decreases during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the year ending 31 March 2026, visitors’ permits for firearms were at a higher level to that seen prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and shotguns were around three-quarters 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 as lost increased

In the year ending 31 March 2026, 510 firearms and shotguns were reported as lost or stolen. Of these, 300 were reported lost and 210 stolen. Compared with the previous year, the number of stolen firearms and shotguns decreased by 102 (33%), and the number reported lost increased by 157 (110%). Overall, there was a 12% increase in lost or stolen firearms and shotguns compared with the year ending 31 March 2025. This equates to 0.03% of firearms and shotguns covered by certificates on issue over the same period (around 1.9 million) and compares with 455 in the year ending 31 March 2025 (0.02% of total firearms and shotguns covered by certificates). All firearms or shotguns that are reported as lost or stolen are investigated by the police.

The 300 lost firearms and shotguns included shotguns (224), rifles (36) and sound moderators (24). The 210 stolen firearms and shotguns included shotguns (188), rifles (12) and sound moderators (7).

Feedback from police forces suggests that the increase in firearms and shotguns reported as lost may in part reflect administrative and recording factors, such as cases where items cannot be verified or accounted for, rather than an increase in physical losses. All firearms or shotguns that are reported as lost or stolen are investigated by the police.

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

8.4 Number of temporary firearm permits increased

As at 31 March 2026, there were:

• 919 temporary firearm permits, an increase of 460 (+100%) compared with 31 March 2025 (459)
• 2,358 temporary shotgun permits, an increase of 997 (+73%) compared with 31 March 2025 (1,361)

The marked increase in both renewal applications completed and temporary permits issued suggests that forces may have prioritised reducing backlogs in renewal applications.

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 has been submitted in good time but cannot be processed before the current 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.

Statutory guidance to chief officers of police issued by the Home Office requires that the police be satisfied that the issue of a temporary permit does not give rise to any public safety risk, and the police forces should avoid routinely using temporary permits as a means of managing licensing caseloads within their force.

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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