The Licensing Framework
Owning a firearm or shotgun in Great Britain requires a certificate issued by the Chief Officer of Police for the area in which the applicant resides. Applications are assessed by Firearms Enquiry Officers (FEOs), who conduct home visits to verify the applicant's stated reason for wanting to possess a firearm, inspect their security arrangements, and gather information relevant to the fitness assessment.
The police are required to keep the conduct of all certificate holders under ongoing review. Any information suggesting that a holder may no longer be fit — including reports of domestic incidents, medical information, or changes in personal circumstances — can prompt an immediate review and potential revocation.
The Three Tests
Before granting a certificate, the Chief Officer must be satisfied that three conditions are met:
- Good Reason: The applicant must have a legitimate purpose for possessing the firearm, such as pest control, clay pigeon shooting, deer stalking, or collection. The stated reason must be genuine and credible.
- Fitness to be Entrusted: The applicant must not be prohibited from holding a certificate and must not have any history or current circumstances that suggest they would be unfit to possess a firearm safely and responsibly.
- Public Safety: The grant of the certificate must not endanger public safety or the peace.
Medical and Criminal Declarations
Applicants must declare all previous criminal convictions, regardless of how old or how minor. A permanent marker is placed on the applicant's medical records, and the GP is required to notify the police if mental health or safety concerns arise during the five-year duration of the certificate. Failure to make required disclosures is itself a ground for revocation and may constitute a criminal offence.
Grounds for Revocation
A certificate may be revoked where the Chief Officer is satisfied that the holder is no longer a fit person, or where continued possession would endanger public safety. Common grounds for revocation include:
- Intemperate Habits: Frequently cited following a domestic incident, even where no charge is brought, or where there is evidence of alcohol or drug misuse.
- Unsound Mind: Typically triggered by medical evidence of a significant mental health condition, including depression or severe anxiety, or a referral from a treating practitioner.
- Public Safety: May relate to improper storage, unsafe handling, or the certificate holder's association with individuals who present a risk.
The Appeal Process
Where a certificate is revoked or an application is refused, the holder has 21 days from the date of the decision to lodge an appeal at the Crown Court. This deadline is strict: failure to appeal within 21 days will ordinarily result in the decision taking permanent effect.
An appeal is a full rehearing of the merits of the case before a Circuit Judge sitting with two lay magistrates. The court will consider fresh evidence from both the police and the appellant. Because the court decides on the basis of the facts as they stand at the date of the hearing, the period between revocation and the hearing is an opportunity to address the matters that gave rise to the revocation.
Compliance During the Appeal Period
It is a criminal offence to fail to comply with a notice to surrender firearms following revocation. During any appeal period, firearms should be transferred to a Registered Firearms Dealer for safe storage. This protects the equipment and ensures the appellant is not at risk of a criminal charge during the period in which the appeal is being prepared.