Firearm and shotgun certificates, April 2024 to March 2025. England and Wales

On 19 June 2025, the Home Office published the Accredited official statistics in respect of Firearm and Shotgun certificates in England and Wales, from April 2024 to March 2025.

Firearm and shotgun certificates, April 2024 to March 2025 - GOV.UK

Although the general statistics reflect a slight decline in numbers overall, this must be viewed in light of numbers that are often overlooked in this annual publication, namely.

Sixty-eight per cent of firearm certificate holders in England and Wales are aged 50 or over.

Sixty-nine per cent of shotgun certificate holders in England and Wales are aged 50 or over.

These numbers are sobering. The shooting community is getting older, and eventually age catches up with everyone, and there is a smaller community following.  It is natural to see this reduction in certification, and we should all be encouraging the next generation to follow our sports.

In the meantime, the number of refusals and revocations is tiny compared to the certified community, reflecting the lawful nature and responsible attitudes of those legally allowed to possess guns.

The Home Office suggest that this is due to the introduction of the Statutory Guidance.  I would respectfully disagree – it is the knee-jerk reaction of police forces examining their internal processes post the Keyham tragedy.  The pendulum swung from Force Executive indifference to zealous self-protection when it became apparent that institutional failings in Devon and Cornwall were likely present elsewhere.

We continue to call for a root-and-branch reorganisation of firearms licensing in England and Wales.  Some forces are exceptionally good at providing a service to the firearms' owning public; some are exceptionally bad.

Again, if you have any queries regarding the statistics, please don’t hesitate to contact the office.