BASC hosts national-scale briefing for police firearms enquiry officers

BASC’s Martin Parker provided a briefing for more than 100 firearms enquiry officers on sustainable ammunition yesterday, 3 December.

Following the Government’s announcement in July this year that it plans to restrict the sale and use of lead ammunition in England, Scotland and Wales, firearms licensing staff were keen to understand the proposed new solutions and implications of future changes to legislation. 

The virtual presentation, attended by more than 100 firearms enquiry officers (FEOs) and team leads, looked at the recommendations made on lead ammunition by UK REACH and accepted by the current government. It is expected that legislation will be introduced by summer 2026, with a further three-year transition running until 2029.

BASC’s head of firearms, Martin Parker, said: “It was a great opportunity to share the experiences of BASC with a wide audience of FEOs regarding the transition to sustainable ammunition.”

The legislative changes will affect some types of firearms that are regularly used in live quarry and target shooting, likely to result in an increase in variations of firearms certificates. FEOs are on the front line to be asked for advice as they conduct home visits for grants and renewals of certificates.

Adrian Davis, policing standards manager and NPCC strategic coordinator for firearms licensing, said: “Thank you to Martin and the wider team for offering this presentation. We often speak and are keen to have more of this national CPD-type engagement between the licensing teams and the many different shooting groups and organisations. 

“We are eager to see how new changes might look and affect shooting communities and licensing applications.”

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