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Failures in firearms licensing highlighted in Commons debate
Conservative MP for the North Cotswolds, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, has called for urgent reform after firearms licensing failures were exposed in a House of Commons debate.
During a recent debate in the House of Commons on the Crime and Policing Bill, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Shooting and Conservation, delivered a powerful intervention in support of new clause 41 – an amendment aimed at introducing independent inspection of firearms licensing by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS).
The Conservative MP for North Cotswolds emphasised the need for urgent reform to address the growing inefficiencies and inconsistencies within the current firearms licensing system.
Citing tragic consequences and the need for accountability
Highlighting the risk to public safety posed by flawed licensing processes, Sir Geoffrey referred to the tragic 2021 shootings in Keyham, Plymouth, in which failures by the Devon and Cornwall Police’s licensing unit played a role. The unit was described as a “chaotic shambles” during the inquest, after issuing and then returning a firearm to the perpetrator despite known risks.
He argued that routine PEEL (police effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy) inspections already evaluate categories that should logically include firearms licensing, such as public response, fairness, and resource allocation. Yet, these reports have never assessed licensing performance, a gap that the new clause 41 seeks to address.
Addressing the postcode lottery in licensing
Sir Geoffrey described the existing firearms licensing framework as a “postcode lottery”, with 43 separate police forces applying inconsistent standards, timelines, and levels of service. Some forces are taking over a year to process applications, creating unacceptable delays for lawful firearms users.
One high-profile case emerged earlier this year when Gloucestershire Constabulary announced it would suspend all new firearm grant applications for up to two years, citing a lack of trained firearms officers. The decision drew swift and coordinated pressure from Sir Geoffrey and BASC, who challenged the force’s rationale and raised concerns over fairness and legality.
Following this joint intervention, Sir Geoffrey and BASC had a face-to-face meeting with the Assistant Chief Constable, and the police reversed the decision, reinstated application processing, and established a new command structure to address licensing performance.
Backing from BASC and the shooting community
In his remarks, Sir Geoffrey also publicly acknowledged the role of BASC and highlighted the organisation’s recent campaign to ensure full transparency and reinvestment of increased firearms licensing fees. BASC had written to every police force in the UK requesting assurances that revenue from the 133% fee increase would be ringfenced for licensing department improvements. However, only a third of constabularies have confirmed this.
During the debate, he argued that without accountability and dedicated resourcing, increases in fees are unjustified and undermine public trust and service delivery.
Looking ahead
The new clause 41 was tabled as a probing amendment, but there is hope it will gain momentum as the Bill progresses to the House of Lords.
Commenting after the debate, Sir Geoffrey said:
“Firearms licensing must be fair, efficient, and above all, safe. The current system is deeply inconsistent, with delays and shortcomings that risk both public safety and the rights of lawful firearms owners. By bringing licensing into the PEEL inspection regime, we can ensure greater accountability and a more consistent standard across all police forces. I will continue to press for reform that strengthens public confidence and supports responsible firearms ownership.”
BASC’s executive director for communication and public affairs, Christopher Graffius, said:
“Sir Geoffrey’s proposal has brought renewed parliamentary attention to an issue BASC has been campaigning on for several years: a fair, efficient, and safe licensing system that serves both the shooting community and the public.
“BASC continues to lead the charge on licensing reform, pushing for consistency, transparency, and properly resourced departments. We welcome the spotlight placed on these issues in Parliament and commend him for his tireless advocacy.”
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