Firearms licensing
Source: gov.uk (2025-12-08)

Licensing guidance, good practice on firearms law, and forms for applying for approvals under the law.

The possession of firearms and ammunition in Great Britain is regulated mainly by the Firearms Act 1968 (http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1968/27/contents).

Guidance

You should read the Home Office guide on firearms licensing law (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/firearms-law-guidance-to-the-police-2012) alongside the statutory guidance for chief officers of police (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/statutory-guidance-for-police-on-firearms-licensing).

The firearms security handbook (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/firearms-security-handbook) provides guidance for police and others on securely storing and moving guns.

The 2023 leaflet air weapons: a brief guide to safety (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/air-weapons-a-brief-guide-to-safety-jan-2011) contains information on the safe handling and storage of air weapons, the different types of air weapons and air weapons and the law.

The specifications for adapting shotgun magazines (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-adaptation-of-shotgun-magazines-and-the-deactivation-of-firearms-revised-2010) were revised in 2010.

Apply for a shotgun or firearms certificate

You need a firearms certificate issued by the police to possess, buy or acquire a firearm or shotgun. You must also have a certificate to buy ammunition.

Apply for a shotgun or firearms certificate (https://www.gov.uk/find-licences/shotgun-and-firearm-certificates) from your local police force.

Before applying for a certificate, please refer to our guide on firearms licensing law (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/firearms-law-guidance-to-the-police-2012) which contains information about the possession of firearms by persons previously convicted of crime (section 21 of the Firearms Act 1968).

You can find information about the fees charged for firearms applications on police websites and in our guide on firearms licensing law (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/firearms-law-guidance-to-the-police-2012).

You should raise any enquiries or complaints about an application directly with the relevant local police force.

Apply for a Home Office firearms licence

You can apply for or manage a:

prohibited weapons and ammunition (section 5) authority (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-or-manage-a-section-5-shooting-club-or-museum-licence)

shooting club approval (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-or-manage-a-section-5-shooting-club-or-museum-licence)

museum licence (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-or-manage-a-section-5-shooting-club-or-museum-licence)

You can find information about the relevant fee in circular 006/2019: Firearms (Fees) Regulations 2019 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/circular-0062019-firearms-fees-regulations-2019). See also chapter 19 in our guide on firearms licensing law (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/firearms-law-guidance-to-the-police-2012/guide-on-firearms-licensing-law-accessible-version#chapter-19-fees).

Deactivated firearms

This section sets out the law on deactivated firearms and information on the current deactivation standards. It also includes details of earlier deactivation standards that may still apply in some cases.

Technical specifications

New technical specifications for deactivated weapons came into force on 8 April 2016. The aim was to set common standards which would render deactivated weapons irreversibly inoperable. The current deactivation standards (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/firearms-licensing-specifications-for-deactivated-weapons) reflect the revised standards that came into force from 28 June 2018 following a review of the Implementing regulation - 2015/2403 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv:OJ.L_.2015.333.01.0062.01.ENG) specifications.

Firearms that fall outside the scope of Implementing Regulation 2018/337 should be deactivated to the requirements of the 2010 Specification - Adapting shotgun magazines and deactivating firearms (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-adaptation-of-shotgun-magazines-and-the-deactivation-of-firearms-revised-2010). Such firearms include, but are not limited to, flare pistols, launchers, mortars and artillery pieces.

Deactivation certificates issued by the Proof Authority before the Regulations came into force are still valid. It is only when the owner of a previously deactivated firearm seeks to transfer it, or to offer to sell or gift the weapon, or sells or gifts the weapon, they will need to comply with the new standards.

Deactivated firearms that fall outside the scope of Implementing Regulation 2018/337 can still be transferred without the need for them to comply with the latest standards; these include flare pistols, launchers, mortars and artillery pieces.

Notifying possession or transfer

Should an owner subsequently wish to sell or transfer their deactivated firearm, the Home Office would need to be notified about the transaction. Details on how to notify possession or transfer of deactivated firearms is contained in Home Office Circular 010/2019: Firearms Regulations 2019 and the Firearms (Amendment) (No.2) Rules 2019 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/circular-0102019-firearms-regulations-2019-and-the-firearms-amendment-no2-rules-2019).

Forms are available to notify possession, or transfer, of a deactivated firearm. Send completed forms to our dedicated inbox: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).

Notification of transfers of a deactivated firearm to the appropriate national authority (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68947fe23080e72710b2e20d/Notification_of_transfers_of_a_deactivated_firearm.odt) (ODT, 10.4 KB)

Notification of possession of a deactivated firearm to the appropriate national authority (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68947ff73080e72710b2e20e/Notification_of_possession_of_a_deactivated_firearm_to_the_appropriate_national_authority.odt) (ODT, 8.54 KB)

Deactivated firearms that fall outside the scope of Implementing Regulation 2018/337 do not need to be notified for either possession or transfer; these include flare pistols, launchers, mortars and artillery pieces.

Deactivated firearms that were deactivated prior to 8 April 2016, do not need to be notified for possession.

If you have any questions contact the Direct Communications Unit (https://submit.forms.service.gov.uk/form/8939/contact-the-direct-communications-unit/No2UVUiQ).

Earlier deactivation standards

The current deactivation standards (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/firearms-licensing-specifications-for-deactivated-weapons) are as specified by the 2018 regulations. Some firearms were legally deactivated to a preceding standard and have remained unaltered in the owners possession.

Deactivation certificates issued by the Proof Authority before the 2018 regulations came into force are still valid. It is only when the owner of a previously deactivated firearm seeks to transfer it, or to offer to sell or gift the weapon, or sells or gifts the weapon, they will need to comply with the new standards.

Details of earlier standards are listed below.

8 April 2016: change in law affecting deactivated firearms

The Implementing regulation - 2015/2403 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv:OJ.L_.2015.333.01.0062.01.ENG) ‘Establishing common guidelines on deactivation standards and techniques for ensuring that deactivated firearms are rendered irreversibly inoperable’ was published in the EU Official Journal on Saturday 19 December 2015. This has effect from 8 April 2016.

All firearms submitted to the Proof Houses from 8 April must comply with Home Office guidance and additional measures relating to European Commission Regulation (EU) 2015/2403 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/deactivated-firearms-implementing-regulation-eu-20152403).

15 December 2015: Official Journal on establishing common guidelines on deactivation standards and techniques

This document should be read in conjunction with:

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) of 15 December 2015 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv:OJ.L_.2015.333.01.0062.01.ENG)

Specifications for the adaptation of shotgun magazines and the deactivation of firearms, revised 2010 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-adaptation-of-shotgun-magazines-and-the-deactivation-of-firearms-revised-2010)

Implementing Regulation 2015/2403 has been revised. The current deactivation standards (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/firearms-licensing-specifications-for-deactivated-weapons) came into effect on 28 June 2018.

EU Commission Implementing Regulation 2018/337 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1530021310684&uri=CELEX:32018R0337) introduces changes affecting deactivation standards within EU Member States.

Arms falling outside of the scope of the regulation should continue to be deactivated in accordance with ‘Specifications for the adaptation of shotgun magazines and the deactivation of firearms, revised 2010’.

Arms deactivated prior to the introduction of the regulation submitted for re-certification can still be issued with a UK valid only certificate. It must be noted that should the arm subsequently be sold, exported or fall within the remit of the regulation in any way, it must be brought up to the specification of the regulation.

Double submissions will be required in all cases where the certifying body cannot readily inspect the arm to ensure that all work has been carried out in compliance with the regulation.

Additional UK specific requirements (noted throughout) apply under Article 6, Directive (EU) 2015/1535 of the European parliament and of the council.

2010: Adapting shotgun magazines and deactivating firearms

2010 specifications for the deactivation of firearms (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-adaptation-of-shotgun-magazines-and-the-deactivation-of-firearms-revised-2010)

These specifications still apply to firearms that fall outside the scope of Implementing Regulation 2018/337 including, but not limited to flare pistols, launchers, mortars and artillery pieces.

Details: The Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988 defines the types of smooth-bore guns which may be held on a shotgun certificate.

This document describes how another type of firearm may be classified as a shotgun if it is adapted in an approved way. It also contains guidance on deactivating firearms.

From 8 April 2016 the deactivation of firearms is covered by EU Implementing Regulation 2015/2403 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv:OJ.L_.2015.333.01.0062.01.ENG), ‘Establishing common guidelines on deactivation standards and techniques for ensuring that deactivated firearms are rendered irreversibly inoperable’.

Changes in the law - Firearms Act 2023

The measures in the Firearms Act 2023 strengthen firearms controls in 2 areas. These were subject to a public consultation in 2021.

The Firearms Act 2023 received Royal Assent in September 2023 and is now commenced.

The Act makes changes to the Firearms Act 1968 relating to:
- the operation of miniature rifle ranges
- the possession of component parts of ammunition with intent to manufacture illegally
Miniature rifle ranges

Section 1 of the Firearms Act 2023 amends section 11(4) of the Firearms Act 1968.

It makes it a requirement that anyone who is the operator of a miniature rifle range must be in possession of a firearm certificate, having undergone:
- the necessary police checks into their background and suitability
- police inspection of the arrangements for secure storage of the firearms
Section 1 also amends section 23(2)(b) of the Firearms Act 2023, defining the type of rifle which may be used on a miniature rifle range. The exemption is now limited to less powerful .22 rimfire firearms.

Read the guidance on miniature rifle ranges following commencement of the Firearms Act 2023 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/firearms-act-2023-miniature-rifle-ranges).

Ammunition

Section 2 of the Firearms Act 2023 makes it an offence to possess the component parts of ammunition with the intent to assemble ammunition without authorisation.

Home Office circulars

Circular 004/2025: Firearms Act 2023 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/circular-0042025-firearms-act-2023) sets out details of the Firearms Act 2023.

Circular 005/2023: The Firearms (Air Weapons) (England and Wales) Rules 2023 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/circular-0052023-the-firearms-air-weapons-england-and-wales-rules-2023), sets out changes to the Firearms Rules 1998 from 31 July 2023 relating to the storage of air weapons to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, access to the air weapon by a person under the age of eighteen.

Contact the Firearms and Weapons Policy Unit

Contact the Direct Communications Unit (https://submit.forms.service.gov.uk/form/8939/contact-the-direct-communications-unit/No2UVUiQ) for queries about UK firearms legislation and other firearms questions.