College of Policing plans will improve firearms licensing, says BASC
The College of Policing is exploring an annual assessment and accreditation for firearms licensing officers in England and Wales.
Five years on: sustaining the transition away from lead
As we mark five years since the start of the voluntary transition away from lead shot and single use plastics for live quarry shooting, BASC’s Terry Behan reflects on what has been achieved and looks ahead to the next steps.
It’s been five years since the announcement of the voluntary transition away from lead shot and single-use plastics for live quarry shooting – committed to in 2020 by nine leading rural organisations, including BASC.
As we reach this milestone, significant progress has been made. Market-led solutions have emerged, education and awareness have increased, and the sector has demonstrated its ability to adapt and innovate.
With the government reaching the end of the 12-week period given to respond to the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) proposals on 7 March , we now wait to see how they will proceed.
While an announcement may not come immediately, we must build on the achievements of the last five years and continue supporting the transition away from lead shot and single-use plastics until legislation is in place.
We remain committed to the transition away from lead shot and single use plastics and we will continue to work with our members, educate the shooting community and invest in wider research to ensure they are prepared.
Alongside that, we will continue to engage with the government and its agencies to ensure that any final decisions on lead ammunition are practical, proportionate, and based on clear evidence.
After five years of progress and innovation, what have we achieved?
Over the past five years, major strides have been made in the availability and effectiveness of lead-free shotgun cartridges. Manufacturers have responded to demand, developing new and practical alternatives and nearly every major shotgun cartridge manufacturer is now producing a non-lead cartridge. There are now more than 150 types of sustainable cartridge available, ranging from 12 gauge to 16 gauge.
Product innovation has also seen the introduction of biodegradable wads, giving us the ability to use steel shot without single use plastics. This is a significant step forward for the future of shooting.
BASC has also invested considerable time into education – thousands of people have attended BASC’s sustainable ammunition events since 2020, before then switching to lead-free ammunition themselves.
The impact of the transition is already being seen in the field. Many shoots have embraced lead-free ammunition, game dealers are increasingly sourcing lead-free game, and retailers are responding to consumer demand for more sustainable products. Through a combination of industry innovation and engagement with the shooting community, BASC and its members have demonstrated that sustainability and shooting can go hand in hand.
A fair and practical way ahead
As the government prepares to announce its decisions on lead ammunition legislation, BASC urges ministers to reconsider a key element of the HSE’s recommendations – the proposed reclassification of large calibres to include .243. This proposal lacks a scientific basis and could have unintended consequences for pest control, deer management and target shooting.
There is sufficient evidence that shows stabilisation issues with .243 calibres, supported by a technical report presented by BASC. As a result, potentially 60,000 people who use .243 for deer management will have to re-barrel their rifles (80 grain .243 bullets do not stabilise in predominantly older rifles with a 1 in 10 twist as they need to be 1 in 8). This will have a potentially significant adverse effect on the national deer cull. We lobbied the HSE for large calibres to be set at 6.5mm and will continue to lobby the government.
Beyond this, it is essential that any legislation acknowledges the progress already made and builds upon it. It must be based on clear evidence, providing realistic and practical transition periods to allow shooters and businesses to continue adapting.
Clarity will also be crucial. Any new restrictions must be accompanied by clear guidance from government, ensuring that those affected understand their responsibilities and have the necessary support to comply.
Most importantly, the government must recognise that shooting is not just a pastime – it is a vital part of the rural economy, conservation efforts, and wildlife management. Any legislative changes should reflect this reality, ensuring that shooting remains viable, sustainable, and accessible.
Working together for the future of shooting
The past five years have shown what can be achieved when the shooting community takes the lead on sustainability. We have worked towards an evidence-based solution that balances sustainability, animal welfare, and the practical realities of ammunition availability.
BASC remains committed to working alongside government, stakeholders, and the wider shooting sector to ensure that any future legislation is fair, practical, and grounded in evidence.
As we look ahead, the focus must be on a sensible, phased approach. With the right decisions from government, we can build on the progress made and ensure that the future of shooting is sustainable for generations to come.
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The view from afar
Our friends from overseas provide an insight into how hunters in their countries have adapted to using non-lead ammunition.
BASC publishes detailed response to Home Office firearms proposals
Government consultation deals with areas of interest including miniature rifle ranges, large calibre rifles, airguns and ammunition.
