While lawful shooting in this country is well regulated and safe in general, the risk of firearms falling into the wrong hands or being misused continues to be a possibility. I welcome the fact we have some of the toughest firearms’ laws in the world and believe it is important for the Government to keep these laws under review to ensure they continue to keep the public safe.
But it is important to recognise shotguns are already subject to strict controls which is why the previous Conservative Government decided, before publishing a consultation in 2023, not to seek views on the recommendations to align shotgun and firearms legislation. Shotguns have long played a key role in helping farmers control vermin on their land and are also widely used in various rural pursuits. Therefore, I believe that additional controls on shotguns are unnecessary and would negatively impact their legitimate use.
However, the current Labour Government has determined to issue a new consultation on aligning the controls on shotguns with those on other firearms and plans to publish it later this year. This change in policy is yet another example of this Government failing to recognise the needs and traditions of rural communities.
I hope they listen carefully to those within our rural communities during the consultation, consider processes that may make the system more efficient, and ensure that the proposed restrictions do not place a significant burden on the vast majority of law-abiding shotgun owners.
Regarding the calls for a centralised licensing system, as you will be aware, firearms licences are issued by individual police forces. While my colleagues and I are not persuaded by arguments for a separate licensing body, we do believe that public confidence in the licensing process hinges on the assurance that robust, consistent and professional standards are being applied across the board.
In my view, while some police forces operate highly effective systems, others have been found lacking, sometimes with devastating outcomes. That is why, while the Crime and Policing Bill was being considered by the House of Commons, we advocated for a statutory requirement for HM Inspectorate of Constabulary (the body that assesses and reports on the effectiveness of policing) to be required to review firearms licensing performance as part of its routine police force inspections.
The Bill is currently in the House of Lords and I hope colleagues there will also press the Government to ensure that consistent standards are applied across all police forces to give us all confidence in the licensing process.
I have written to the Home Office on behalf of constituents who have raised their concerns on this issue with me and I am copying the response I received, on the 1st of October 2025, from the current Minister of State for Policing and Crime, Sarah Jones MP here:
'Thank you for your email of 5 September to the Home Office on behalf of your constituent(s) who (have) expressed concerns about the alignment of shotgun licensing with that for high powered firearms. I am replying as the Minister of State for Policing and Crime. I note concerns about the Government’s intention to run a public consultation later this year, seeking views on the greater alignment of the controls on shotguns and other firearms.
The Government response to the 2023 firearms licensing consultation, published on 13 February this year, included a commitment to issue a new consultation seeking views on strengthening the licensing controls on shotguns in order to achieve greater alignment with the controls on firearms in the interests of public safety. The Government will determine next steps following consideration of the responses to this consultation.
I would therefore urge (your constituents) to respond to the consultation when it is published so that (they) can provide views on this matter. Turning to proposal(s) for the creation of a single centralised police firearms licensing body, the Government has no plans to introduce a new national body for firearms licensing.'
The Firearms Act 1968 places statutory responsibility for firearms licensing on the Chief Officer of Police of each individual force in England, Wales and Scotland. This framework is supported by Statutory Guidance to Chief Officers of Police issued by the Home Secretary in respect of firearms licensing and by Authorised Professional Practice issued by the College of Policing. Police forces are best placed, therefore, to carry out the various checks necessary for firearms applications, including the gathering and assessment of information about the suitability of the applicant and licence holders, interviewing the applicant and family members, checking security, and taking into account local information and intelligence; such duties are all best undertaken by trained police officers. Local police forces are also required for the continuous monitoring of the certificate holder during the five-year licence period. I trust this clarifies the Government’s position.
I would urge my constituents who are concerned about these Government proposals to respond to this public consultation when it is opened later this year.
