Gloucestershire Constabulary has temporarily halted the acceptance of new applications for shotgun, firearms, dealers, and explosives certificates due to “unexpected resourcing issues.”
This decision has sparked concern within the industry, prompting swift action from trade representatives.
Simon West, executive director of the Gun Trade Association, who raised the issue with the Home Office, criticised the suspension as an “unlawful failure in the police’s statutory duty to provide the service.” He noted that the Home Office was initially unaware of the situation, underscoring the lack of communication between local police forces and central government on licensing matters.
“I raised this immediately with the Home Office as an unlawful failure in the police’s statutory duty to provide the service,” Simon said. “The Home Office were unaware of the situation. I have now also had discussions with the National Police Chiefs’ Council representative for firearms licensing.”
The matter is now under review following Simon’s discussions with the National Police Chiefs’ Council representative. However, he urges those affected by the suspension to hold local authorities accountable.
“If you are directly affected, please engage with your police and crime commissioner to hold the police to account,” Simon advised.
Simon further expressed frustration with what he described as a “unilateral decision” that highlights broader issues in the firearms licensing system. “Such unilateral decisions are indicative of failures in the licensing system. They have direct impact on our ability to trade,” he stated. The suspension of services in Gloucestershire, he argued, is emblematic of systemic issues that affect the industry nationwide.
In response, Simon announced plans to commission a comprehensive review of firearms licensing across the country. This review will aim to identify systemic shortcomings and develop recommendations for the government to establish a “safe and sustainable system” for firearms licensing.
“We will continue to target failing forces but are also about to commission a wider review into firearms licensing nationally,” Simon concluded. “Our goal is to make recommendations to government on how a safe and sustainable system needs to be implemented.”
This latest development adds to ongoing concerns within the firearms trade about inconsistencies in licensing practices across police forces, which many argue are impacting businesses and individuals reliant on timely certificate processing.
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