Applying for a firearm/shotgun certificate
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Certificate renewals
There is greater number of delays within firearms licensing today. BASC’s firearms team explains what to do if your renewal is delayed.
Early submission of renewal requests will give police licensing teams a better chance to turn them around before certificates expire. Respond as soon as possible to a renewal reminder pack or, even better, prepare and submit your request early. Always post by recorded delivery. These can usually be tracked online.
To help the police to renew your certificates in time we recommend that you get your renewal applications to them at least 12 weeks before the expiry of your certificate. Do not wait for police reminder letters. However; if you receive a police reminder letter prior to 12 weeks before expiry, do adhere to its content to avoid delay and to ensure that you are eligible for a temporary permit should one become necessary.
When sending renewal forms back do not return your expiring certificates. You need them to both buy ammunition and to prove lawful possession of your guns. The law allows police to seize your firearms if you are unable to produce a certificate on demand. It is always advisable to carry original certificates with you. Although the evidence of a copy should be acceptable in many instances, the legal right to seize and detain your guns remains unless you produce the original.
However, it may help the licensing department to process renewals or variations if you provide photocopies of existing certificates. Add a note with your application saying that you are retaining the originals until the new ones are issued.
The law (The Firearms Amendment Rules) does not require you to return the expiring certificates with your application. In the case of shotguns the rules state that renewal applications should be accompanied by the expiring certificate “if it is available”. The need to buy ammunition and to show lawful possession means that the expiring certificate is not available. If you need advice on this or any other issue, please call BASC’s firearms team on 01244 573010 with your membership number to hand.
It is an offence for anyone to be in possession of a firearm without the appropriate authority. Any advice that it is acceptable to continue keeping your guns without a valid certificate should be ignored, even if your renewal has been submitted.
If your certificate should expire before a valid replacement is in your possession, you should ask for a temporary permit, issued under Section 7 of the Firearms Act 1968. It should be granted in the event of an administrative delay where the applicant has submitted their application in good time e.g. having adhered to advice in a police reminder letter. (See below)
The Home Office guidance to the police: ‘Guide to Firearms Licensing Law’ directs that a permit should be issued where an applicant has submitted an application in good time. Issuing a Section 7 is a simple remedy to prevent someone falling on the wrong side of the law.
Section 7 permits – Are you entitled to one? – The legalities
Temporary permits are intended to cover temporary situations such as delays, or to allow short-term possession of firearms after the death of the certificated owner.
A permit may not be issued in order to authorise the purchase or acquisition of firearms or ammunition but shotgun ammunition can be purchased if you have a temporary permit.
It is the certificate holder’s responsibility to renew their certificate on time and not rely on police reminders. The police do send out renewal reminders well in advance of expiry.
Each request for a temporary permit case must be determined on its merits but constabularies should issue them if delays have occurred in the police system.
The Home Office Guidance says:
10.61 “If a certificate expires before a renewed certificate has been issued and the certificate holder has behaved in a reasonable manner returning the forms in good time, a temporary permit (section 7 Permit) should be issued by default. With regard to renewal, the applicant may submit a photocopy of their certificate and retain the expiring certificate in order to be able to buy ammunition.”
15.4 “Permits should be issued by chief officers where a certificate has not been re-issued or where a variation has been delayed and the applicant has made the application in good time. This may be appropriate where the renewal of a certificate is so delayed that the applicant may otherwise be left without permission to continue possessing and using their firearm and ammunition. This may not be the case where the applicant or his referees had been uncooperative and, is, or are, substantially responsible for the delay. In these circumstances, the applicant should be advised to arrange for the firearms and ammunition to be placed in storage with a registered firearms dealer or another suitably authorised certificate holder.”
BASC advice on obtaining a Section 7 temporary permit
BASC’s advice is that if your certificate is delayed by the administrative process you should always make a written request for a temporary permit. These are the things you need to do:
- Supply the date you submitted your renewal application and the date your certificate(s) expired.
- Request the immediate renewal of the certificates or the issue of a Section 7 permit to prevent you from possessing firearms without a valid certificate.
- Politely advise that if a Section 7 permit is not issued then you will be obliged to consider submitting a formal complaint.
- Request details of the complaints procedure.
Refusal to grant a Section 7 permit and unreasonably long delays
Firstly consider contacting your Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), they employ chief constables and must hold them to account for poor service. You as council tax payers and voters employ the PCC and as such they work for you. Telling your PCC about your experiences will count. The more people who do so, the greater effect it will have at improving the resources needed by firearms licensing departments. Often firearm licensing staff are not at fault, they need the necessary support to function.
Any complaint against a refusal to issue a Section 7 permit or because of rude or dismissive attitudes from police staff should be made in writing. You should be able to find details on the force’s website. BASC can’t make the complaint for you but we will advise you how to do it.
Making a justified complaint will also highlight areas where the police might improve their service.
ENQUIRIES TO: 01244-573010
© BASC August 2014 (revised January 2018
Downloadable firearms forms
New application forms came into effect on 1 January 2018 and are available below for download. Only one photograph is required and the medical question has changed significantly. Make sure you pay particular attention to what the question is asking you and please refer to the notes at the rear of the form before completing the forms.
Other useful documents
Fees for certificates in England, Wales and Scotland
Visitors’ permit
| Certificate type | Grant or renewal of certificate | Total fee payable |
| Firearm certificate | Grant | £88 |
| Firearm certificate | Renewal | £62 |
| Shotgun certificate | Grant | £79.50 |
| Shotgun certificate | Renewal | £49 |
| Registered firearms dealer | Grant / renewal | £200 |
| Extension for registered firearms dealers – game fair/trade events | Valid for up to 3 years for the same event held at the same site | £13 |
| Visitors’ permit | Individual | £20 |
| Visitors’ permit | Group (six or more permits) | £100 |
| Co-terminous certificates | Grant of both shotgun and firearm certificates | £90* |
| Co-terminous certificates | Grant of a shotgun certificate /renewal of firearm certificate | £90* |
| Co-terminous certificates | Renewal of a shotgun certificate /grant of a firearm certificate | £90* |
| Co-terminous certificates | Renewal of both shotgun and firearm certificates | £65 |
| Replacement certificate | (Note: If lost a charge is made – replacement is free for a dilapidated certificate) | £4 |
| Variation (not one for one) – applicable only to firearm certificates | £20 | |
| Home Office approval for target shooting clubs/schools | Grant or renewal – valid for 6 years | £84 |
| Museums firearm licence | Free | |
| Prohibited weapons authority | (Note: this relates to trade or professionals only where they are registered as a firearms dealers) | Free |
* A coterminous certificate is merely a means of issuing both firearm and shotgun certificates where an applicant requires both (to expire at the same time) at a cheaper cost to the applicant and also at a reduced administration to the police force. If an applicant holds or requires both firearm and shotgun certificates he can request coterminous certificates by using Form 201 and enclosing the £90 fee. The £90 fee is standard regardless of whether you already hold a certificate or none at all.
Explosive licensing forms
Form ER4a is for individuals wishing to use black powder in their own firearms or shotguns, or for historic re-enactment events.
- Use this form for an ‘acquire only’ or an ‘acquire and keep’ certificate for black powder.
- Not applicable to clubs, societies, or organisations or for any explosive other than black powder.
Form ER4 is for companies, clubs and societies, powder masters or users. It is not applicable for personally held firearms and shotguns, or historic re-enactment when using black powder only.
ER4b should be used when renewing an explosives certificate at the same time as a firearm or shotgun certificate.
Firearms licensing contacts (England and Wales)
Avon & Somerset
Police and Fire Headquarters,
Firearms Licensing,
PO Box 3259,
Bristol,
BS2 2EJ.
Phone: 01278 647465
E: firearms.licensing@avonandsomerset.pnn.police.uk
Click here to learn more
Cheque Payee: PCC for Avon and Somerset Constabulary
Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire & Hertfordshire
Firearms Licensing Department,
Cambridgeshire Constabulary,
Hinchingbrooke Park,
Huntingdon,
Cambridgeshire,
PE29 6NP.
Phone: 01480 422619
E: firearms.licensing@cambs.pnn.police.uk
Click here to learn more
Cheshire
Firearms Licensing Department,
Cheshire Constabulary,
Clemonds Hey,
Oakmere Road,
Winsford,
Cheshire,
CW7 2UA.
Phone: 01606 362084
E: flu@cheshire.pnn.police.uk
Click here to learn more
Cheque Payee: Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire
City of London (Covering areas EC1, EC2, EC3 & EC4 only)
Firearms Licensing Department,
City of London Police,
Walbrook Wharf,
78-83 Upper Thames Street,
London,
EC3R 3TD.
Phone: 0207 601 2736
E: licensingoffice@cityoflondon.pnn.police.uk
Click here to learn more
Cheque Payee: City of London Police
Cleveland
Firearms Licensing Unit,
Cleveland Police,
Shared Service Centre,
III Acres,
Princeton Drive,
Thornaby,
Stockton-on-Tees,
TS17 6AJ.
Phone: 01642 302005
E: firearms.licensing@cleveland.pnn.police.uk
Click here to learn more
Cheque Payee: Cleveland Police
Cumbria
Firearms Licensing Department,
Cumbria Constabulary,
Carleton Hall,
Penrith,
Cumbria,
CA10 2UA.
Phone: 0330 124 0941
E: firearmslicensing@cumbria.police.uk
Click here to learn more
Cheque Payee: The PCC for Cumbria
Derbyshire
Firearms Licensing Department,
Derbyshire Constabulary,
Butterly Hall,
Ripley,
Derbyshire,
DE5 3RS.
Phone: 0300 122 8657
E: firearms.licensing@derbyshire.pnn.police.uk
Click here to learn more
Cheque Payee: Police and Crime Commissioner for Derbyshire
Dorset, Devon & Cornwall
Firearms Licensing Department,
Devon & Cornwall Police,
Middelmoor,
Exeter,
Devon,
EX2 7HQ.
Phone: 01392 225650
E: firearms.licensing@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk
Click here to learn more
Cheque Payee : PCC Devon & Cornwall OR PCC Police & Crime Commissioner Dorset
Durham
Durham Constabulary,
Firearms Licensing,
Unit 1,
White House Industrial Estate,
Traynor Way,
Peterlee,
Co. Durham,
SR8 2RT.
Phone: 0191 375 2240 or 0191 375 2542
E: firearmslicensing@durham.pnn.police.uk
Click here to learn more
Cheque Payee: Durham Constabulary
Dyfed Powys
Firearms Licensing Department,
Dyfed-Powys Police HQ,
PO Box 99,
Llangunnor,
Carmarthen,
SA31 2PF.
Phone: 01267 226499
E: firearmslicensing2@dyfed-powys.pnn.police.uk
Click here to learn more
Cheque Payee: Police and Crime Commissioner for Dyfed Powys Police
Essex
FSEL Section,
PO Box 2,
Springfield,
Chelmsford,
Essex,
CM2 6DA.
Phone: 01245 452768
E: firearms@essex.pnn.police.uk
Click here to learn more
Cheque Payee: Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire Constabulary,
Administration Department for Firearms & Explosives Licensing
No 1 Waterwells,
Waterwells Drive,
Quedgeley,
Gloucester,
GL2 2AN
Phone: 01452 754516
E: firearmslicensing@gloucestershire.pnn.police.uk
Click here to learn more
Cheque Payee: The PCC for Gloucestershire
Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester Police,
Box 06,
Nexus House,
Ashton-Under-Lyne,
OL7 0QP.
Phone: 0161 856 0820
E: firearmsandexplosivesunit@gmp.pnn.police.uk
Click here to learn more
Cheque Payee: PCC for Greater Manchester
Gwent
Firearms Licensing Department,
Gwent Police HQ,
Croesyceiliog,
Cwmbran,
NP44 2XJ.
Phone: 01495 768004 or 01495 745458 / 462 / 446
E: firearmslicensing@gwent.pnn.police.uk
Click here to learn more
Cheque Payee: Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent
Humberside
Firearms Licensing,
Humberside Police,
Priory Police Station,
Hull,
HU5 5SF.
Phone: 01482 317072
E: firearms.licensing@humberside.pnn.police.uk
Click here to learn more
Cheque Payee: Humberside Police & Crime Commissioner
Kent
Firearms Licensing Department,
Kent Police HQ,
Sutton Road,
Maidstone,
Kent,
ME15 9BZ.
Phone: 01622 652510
E: firearms.licensing@kent.police.uk
Click here to learn more
Cheque Payee: Kent Police and Crime Commissioner
Lancashire
Firearms Licensing Department,
Lancashire Police HQ,
PO Box 77,
Hutton,
PR4 5SB.
Phone: 01772 413633 or 01772 412417
E: hq-firearmslicensing@lancashire.pnn.police.uk
Click here to learn more
Leicestershire
Firearms Licensing Department,
Leicestershire Police,
Mansfield House,
74 Belgrave Gate,
Leicester,
LE1 3GG.
Phone: 01162 484333
E: firearms.licensing@leicestershire.pnn.police.uk
Click here to learn more
Cheque Payee: OPCC for Leicestershire
Lincolnshire
Police Headquarters
Firearms Licensing Department
PO Box 999
Lincoln
LN5 7PH
Phone: 01522 558533
E: group-firearmslicensingdept@lincs.pnn.police.uk
Click here to learn more
Cheque Payee: Kent Police and Crime Commissioner
Merseyside
Firearms Licensing Department,
PO Box 59,
Canning place,
Liverpool,
L69 1JD.
Phone: 0151 777 8478
E: firearms.licensing@merseyside.police.uk
Click here to learn more
Cheque Payee: Police and Crime Commissioner for Merseyside
Norfolk
Firearms Services Unit,
Norfolk Constabulary HQ,
Falconers Chase,
Wymondham,
NR18 0WW.
Phone: 01953 424141
E: firearmslicensing@norfolk.pnn.police.uk
Click here to learn more
Cheque Payee: Norfolk Constabulary
North Wales
Firearms Licensing Department,
North Wales Police,
PO Box 100,
Prestatyn,
LL19 0BH.
Phone: 01745 539394
E: ajdfirearmsregistry@nthwales.pnn.police.uk
Click here to learn more
Cheque Payee: PCC for North Wales
North Yorkshire
Firearms Licensing Department,
North Yorkshire Police HQ,
Newby Wiske Hal,
Northallerton,
North Yorkshire,
DL7 9HA.
Phone: 01609 643589
E: firearmslicensing@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk
Click here to learn more
Cheque Payee: PPC for North Yorkshire
Northamptonshire
Firearms Licensing Department,
Northamptonshire Police HQ,
Wootton Hall,
Northampton,
NN4 0JQ.
Phone: 01604 888117
E: firearms.licensing@northants.pnn.police.uk
Click here to learn more
Cheque Payee: PCC Northants
Northumbria
Firearms Licensing Department,
Bedlington Police Station,
Schalksmuhle Road,
Bedlington,
Northumberland,
NE22 7LA.
Phone: 0191 4373315
E: firearmslicensing@northumbria.pnn.police.uk
Click here to learn more
Cheque Payee: Northumbria Police
Nottinghamshire
Firearms Licensing Department,
Nottinghamshire Police,
Sherwood Lodge,
Arnold,
Nottinghamshire,
NG5 8PP.
Phone: 01623 483918
E: hqcj.firearms@nottinghamshire.pnn.police.uk
Click here to learn more
Cheque Payee: Notts PCC
Metropolitan
Metropolitan Firearms Enquiry Team,
Floor 6,
Empress Estate Building,
Empress Approach,
Lillie Road,
London,
SW6 1TR.
Phone: 0207 161 4750
E: FETLondonAll@met.police.uk
Click here to learn more
Cheque Payee: The Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC)
South Wales
Firearms Licensing Department,
South Wales Police HQ,
Cowbridge Road,
Bridgend,
CF31 3SU.
Phone: 01656 869244
E: firearms.licensing@south-wales.pnn.police.uk
Click here to learn more
Cheque Payee: The Police and CC for South Wales
South Yorkshire
Firearms Licensing Department,
South Yorkshire Police HQ,
Carbrook House,
5 Carbrook Hall Road,
Sheffield,
South Yorkshire,
S9 2EH.
Phone: 0114 296 4186
E: firearms.licensing@southyorks.pnn.police.uk
Click here to learn more
Cheque Payee: Police and Crime Commissioner for South Yorkshire
Staffordshire & West Midlands
Collaborated Firearms Licensing Unit,
Staffordshire & West Midlands Police,
Staffordshire Police,
Weston Road Complex,
Stafford,
ST18 0YY.
Phone: 01785 232790
E: firearms.licensing@staffordshire.pnn.police.uk
Click here to learn more
Cheque Payee (Staffordshire applicants): OPCC Staffordshire
Cheque Payee (West Midlands applicants): West Midlands Police
Suffolk
Firearms Services Unit,
Suffolk Constabulary HQ,
Martlesham Heath,
Suffolk,
IP5 7QS.
Phone: 01473 613681
E: firearms.licensing@suffolk.pnn.police.uk
Click here to learn more
Cheque Payee: Suffolk Constabulary
Surrey & Sussex
Firearms Licensing Department,
Sussex Police HQ,
Malling House,
Church Lane,
Lewes,
East Sussex,
BN7 2DX.
Phone: 01273 404892
E: SurreySussexFelu@sussex.pnn.police.uk
Click here to learn more
Cheque Payee: Police & Crime Commissioner for Sussex
Cheque Payee: Surrey Police
Thames Valley
Firearms Licensing Department,
Thames Valley Police HQ,
Oxford Road,
Kidlington,
OX5 2NX.
Phone: 01865 541556
E: firearmslicensing@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk
Click here to learn more
Cheque Payee: Thames Valley Police
Warwickshire
Firearms Licensing Unit
Warwickshire Police
PO BOX 4
Leek Wootton
Warwick
CV35 7QA
Phone: 01926 415526
E: Firearmslicensing@warwickshire.pnn.police.uk
Click here to learn more
Cheque Payee: West Mercia PCC
West Mercia
Firearms & Explosives Licensing Unit,
West Mercia Police,
Malvern Police Station,
Victoria Road,
Malvern,
WR14 2TE.
Phone: 01905 727547
E: firearmslicensing.cjsd.hq@westmercia.pnn.police.uk
Click here to learn more
Cheque Payee: West Mercia PCC
West Yorkshire
Firearms Licensing Department,
West Yorkshire Police,
PO Box 9,
Laburnum Road,
Wakefield,
West Yorkshire.
WF1 3QP.
Phone: 01924 292330 / 292310 / 292312
E: firelic@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk
Click here to learn more
Cheque Payee: PCC for West Yorkshire
Wiltshire
Firearms Licensing Department,
Wiltshire Police HQ,
London Road,
Devizes,
Wiltshire,
SN10 2DN.
Phone: 01380 861009
E: fal@wiltshire.pnn.police.uk
Click here to learn more
Cheque Payee: Wiltshire PCC
Explosives guidance
New record keeping requirements from April 2015
Since 2015, Manufacturers, importers, distributors, and anyone who acquires or keeps civil explosives has to keep a record of the explosives throughout the supply chain and life cycle. The records should allow tracking and identification of an explosive at any time, and should be kept for 10 years after the date when the explosive was used, transferred to another person or destroyed, even if the manufacturers, importers, distributors, and anyone who acquires or keeps the explosives, have ceased trading.
In relation to shooting sports; records are not required to be kept for civil explosives that are:
- Acquired or kept by private individuals other than in connection with their work and that are solely for their own personal use.
- Cap-type primers, which consist of a metal or plastic cap containing a small amount of primary explosive mixture that is readily ignited by impact and which serve as igniting elements in small arms cartridges or in percussion primers for propelling charges.
Northern Ireland
Click here to access online applications with the Police Service of Northern Ireland
| Firearm Certificate – Grant | £98 |
| Firearm Certificate – variation | £30 |
| Firearm Certificate variation to substitute one firearm for another of the same calibre or type (known as a one for one variation) | £15 |
| Replacement Firearm certificate/dealers certificate (e.g. where your certificate has been lost completely. Dilapidated certificates are replaced free) | £14 |
| Firearms Dealer | £300 |
| Visitors Permit (1 to 5 people) | £16 per person |
| Visitors Permit (6 to 20 people) | £80 for the group |
| Firearms Club authorisation (grant or renewal – valid for 5 years) | £71 |
| Museum firearms licence | £110 |
| Extension of a museum firearms licence to additional premises | £75 |
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