Plans for stricter shotgun ownership conditions opposed

The Countryside Alliance is leading a drive to challenge upcoming Home Office plans to change firearms licensing, warning the proposals could hit rural livelihoods and police forces across England and Wales.

The Home Office is expected to publish its consultation on firearms licensing before the end of the year.

Central to the proposals is the alignment of shotgun licensing with firearms licensing – a change opposed by rural organisations, which argue it would make owning a shotgun more difficult, would significantly disrupt the rural economy, and would create operational difficulties for police.

See also: Tory MPs criticise planned hikes in shotgun fees

A report commissioned by the Countryside Alliance, Reforming Firearms and Explosives Licensing in the United Kingdom, evaluates existing processes in England and Wales and identifies how failings might be resolved.

The report’s primary recommendation urges the Home Office to widen its consultation to include the creation of a National Firearms and Explosives Licensing Agency (NFELA).

According to the report, a single national body could offer improved consistency, modernised technology, and enhanced public safety.

The Countryside Alliance said the report provides “sensible and practical” proposals aimed at improving services for certificate holders while strengthening safety standards.

It has been working with Westminster throughout the year to raise concerns ahead of the consultation.

Roger Seddon, shooting campaign manager at the Countryside Alliance, said: “Shooting is facing its biggest threat in a generation with the upcoming firearms licensing consultation.

“The government is seeking to restrict shotgun ownership by aligning licensing of shotguns with firearms.

“This would devastate the rural economy, add huge pressure on police forces, and pose a major difficulty to farmers and others who rely on shotguns for their livelihoods.”

In November 2025, National Police Chiefs Council data showed a wide variation in police performance.

Lincolnshire completed 100%, 100% and 99% of applications within four months across three quarters, while neighbouring Humberside recorded 85%, 64% and 26%.

The Countryside Alliance said firearms users would find such disparity “unacceptable” given recent increases in licensing fees.