BASC publishes guidance on Northern Ireland firearms licensing consultation

The Northern Ireland Department of Justice (DoJ) is consulting on proposals to increase all firearms licensing fees by 153 per cent and to make changes to the banded system.

BASC has published guidance on responding to the consultation and is urging all certificate holders in Northern Ireland to have their say by 29 May 2026.

BASC Northern Ireland director Tommy Mayne said: “BASC does not support a move to full cost recovery and we are strongly opposed to any increase in fees without a full, independent, transparent review of the necessary processes within firearms licensing.

“That review must involve the organisations on the Northern Ireland Firearms Representative Group (NIFRG), which is chaired by BASC. 

“BASC supports the addition of more calibers to the banded system, which is based on amendments we submitted to the Justice Committee in 2020. However, BASC is opposed to proposals to move certain calibers between bands”.

There are several ways that you can respond to the consultation – including by email, by post and by filling in an online response form. BASC has produced guidance on each of the options.