The challenges ahead

shooters in winter

In his annual new year’s address, BASC chairman Eoghan Cameron discusses the impending firearms licensing consultation and expresses BASC’s will to continue to tackle the issue, and others like it, head on in 2026.

The closing of 2025 brought with it the latest unwelcome noise from government regarding proposals to shift Section 2 shotguns into the Section 1 regime.

It is dressed up to look like bold action. But strip away the rhetoric and it is very obviously another layer of ill-conceived red tape, rather than the safety measure it pretends to be.

The tragic results of inconsistent, imprecise enforcement of our current regime are well documented. They point towards breakdowns in due process, not loopholes in existing legislation. And you don’t need me to remind you that Britain already has some of the strictest firearms laws in the world. 

Shotgun certificate holders undergo police checks, interviews, and security inspections, while rifle owners face deeper scrutiny focused on justification and specific conditions. Reclassifying shotguns risks swamping licensing teams already at breaking point. That’s not progress. That’s just paperwork.

Ironically, and predictably, it is the overwhelmingly law‐abiding certificate holders who would feel the impact of this collective punishment most keenly. 

Legendary hunter-naturalist Frederick Courteney Selous, whose writings shaped early conservation thinking, once warned: “…the unconscious traveller, ignorant of pitfalls, is almost sure to be engulfed in one of them sooner or later.” Legislation built on shaky foundations is one of those pitfalls – it ensnares the responsible without hindering the reckless.

BASC has long pressed for the real solution – investment in resources and a system fit for purpose. Licensing teams need more staff, better training and modern, digital tools. 

Imagine secure, digital certificates that can’t be forged, or national standards that ensure consistency across forces. Imagine medical checks and information sharing that actually flag risks before they become tragedies. These are practical, eminently feasible fixes that would make a real difference.

Efficiency matters too. Risk-based inspections would focus attention where it’s needed most, rather than wasting time on blanket checks. Clearer guidance on “good reason” would cut down on confusion and appeals. Measuring outcomes and tracking incidents linked to licensing decisions would give us evidence to guide policy, not just headlines that clobber the entire shooting community.

As shooters, we all know safety is paramount. But we also know that legislation is only as strong as the system which enforces it. Increasing legislation, rather than properly enforcing that which already exists, is like lugging around a bigger cartridge bag, but never practising your shooting. The burden grows, but accuracy doesn’t. The result? Frustration, inconsistency, and no improvement in safety.

winter shooting

In 2026, BASC will press for the debate to move beyond the superficial optics of ‘tougher laws’. The real solution isn’t more legislation; it’s appropriate enforcement, resources, and a system that works in practice, not just in theory. We need reforms that protect the public and respect responsible shooters, instead of failing them through neglect. We refuse to be buried under red tape. 

Shoulder to shoulder with our members, BASC will continue the fight for a licensing regime that delivers for shooting.

Thank you for standing with us. Here’s to a strong and Happy New Year.

Images: Celine Peniston-Bird

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