Firearms licensing debate set for the Commons

The Petitions committee has set Monday 23 February at 4.30 pm for a debate on the petition against subjecting shotguns to the same rules as rifles for firearms licensing.

The Home Office has been planning to issue a consultation on proposals to merge shotgun and firearms licensing since February 2025, claiming the move will benefit public safety. 

BASC and others have said that there is no benefit to public safety, and that the move would seriously damage participation in shooting and the rural economy.

BASC is briefing MPs who plan to speak during the debate. You can help by contacting your MP and asking them to attend. If you receive a reply, please forward it to politics@basc.org.uk.

You can find the details of who your MP is and how to contact them here: https://members.parliament.uk/members/commons

It may be useful to inform your MP of how many people in their constituency signed the petition. You can find this information here: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/750236