Key facts
- The firearms licensing system in England and Wales is not fit for purpose, according to His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS).
- Inspectors cited unclear guidance, poor supervision, and inconsistencies between the 38 existing licensing units as reasons for the system's failure.
- Legally held firearms have been involved in at least 39 murders over the ten years to March 2025.
- HMICFRS recommended establishing a new national firearms licensing authority to improve public safety.
- The Home Office stated that strengthening firearms licensing is part of ongoing government reforms.
Official inspectors have warned that the firearms licensing system across England and Wales is failing to adequately protect public safety, creating a "postcode lottery" in the scrutiny applied to gun owners. His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) attributed these deficiencies to "unclear guidance and legislation" and "poor supervision and oversight."
The report highlights that legally held weapons have been involved in at least 39 murders over the ten years to March 2025. Inspectors recommended the establishment of a new national firearms licensing authority to replace the current 38 fragmented units, arguing that further tragedies should not be necessary before action is taken.
Lee Freeman, His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary, stated that while most of the nearly 500,000 certificate holders use firearms responsibly, they face an inconsistent service. He emphasized the need for a clear, consistent, and robust system.
Responding to the report, the Home Office stated that the UK has some of the world's toughest firearms laws and that steps are already being taken to strengthen licensing, including mandatory medical checks and increased fees. A review of firearms licensing arrangements is also underway as part of wider police reform.
The Countryside Alliance, however, criticized some of the proposed new regulations as impractical and potentially damaging to the shooting sector. Chief executive Tim Bonner noted that many police licensing departments already face significant backlogs. Martin Parker, head of firearms at BASC, also pointed to extreme delays and inconsistencies in licensing processes, though he maintained that public safety in terms of preventing criminal misuse is generally well-served, with low numbers of homicides involving legally held firearms annually.