Gun licensing 'postcode lottery' puts Britons at risk, campaigners say

Britain's gun licensing law are putting Britons at risk, campaigners have warned.The firearms licensing system in England and Wales is not fit for purpose with a “postcode lottery” in the level of scrutiny faced by applicants and certificate holders, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) saidThe inspectorate blamed "unclear guidance and legislation" and "poor supervision and oversight" had created shortfalls, calling for a new national body to be established.During the 10 years to March 2025, shootings involving legally held firearms led to the murder of at least 39 people, according to HMICFRS. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Currently, 38 firearms and explosive licensing units exist - but campaigners have called for these to be scrapped and replaced with a singular national authority.There are nearly 50,000 certificate holders for firearms and shotguns in England and Wales.Before receiving a license, you must provide a "good reason" to authorities, get medical verification, secure two referees, and undergo a police interview.His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary Lee Freeman said: "Most of the nearly 500,000 certificate holders use their firearms and shotguns responsibly for lawful recreation or as essential tools for work. But they are faced with a postcode lottery in the service they receive from firearms and explosive licensing units."They, and the wider public, deserve a system that is clear, consistent and robust. We found the current system is none of these things."Roger Seddon, Shooting Campaign Manager at the Countryside Alliance told GB News the current system of disparate units was "really muddled", with each interpreting the laws in different ways.He said: "Even though the law is exactly the same, it's being interpreted differently in different regions in the UK."And that's why we want to see a national body that has oversight and consistent application of the law. Because the law as written is quite effective."Mr Seddon added that a singular body would help farmers get on with their livelihoods after receiving a "real kicking in" from Labour."If they can enact this, then that's a real opportunity for the government to actually show the farmers that, yeah, we are going to give you a helping hand," he said.LATEST ATTACKS ON THE COUNTRYSIDE:EXPOSED: Britain's best farmland destroyed under Net Zero madness as enough food to feed 200,000 vanishesFarmer hails GB News for championing Britain’s countryside community: ‘Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!’Labour moves to crack down on 500-year-old rural practice in latest attack on British countrysideLabour this year banned trail hunting - a practice which mimics traditional fox hunting - claiming it was used as a smokescreen for live fox hunting, which was banned more than 20 years ago.And alarms were raised after it emerged thousands of majestic Dartmoor ponies could be culled before the plan was reversed by the Environment Department.The Countryside Alliance has, however, condemned other recommendations suggested by HMICFRS in the report as "catastrophic".Mr Seddon said: "However, that [HMICFRS] report - some of the recommendations are absolutely - well - they would crash the system in a heartbeat and they wouldn't help the general public safety."They would just cause a massive impact on the rural economy."The report urged the alignment of shotgun licensing with high-powered rifles, new competence tests and face-to-face medical checks.Mr Seddon warned that merging shotgun licensing regulations with high-powered rifles would cause "such a bureaucratic burden for the police" that the entire system would "crash overnight".Responding to the report from Lee Freeman, a Home Office spokesman said: "The UK has some of the toughest firearms laws in the world."We have taken significant steps in recent years to strengthen firearms licensing, including publication of robust statutory guidance for police, the introduction of mandatory medical checks, new national training for forces, and increases in firearms licensing fees."A number of recommendations in this report reflect work already underway. This includes a review of firearms licensing arrangements which is taking place as part of the Government's wider police reform agenda."We will work closely with policing partners to consider the report and take forward any further action that may be required to strengthen firearms controls and keep the public safe."Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter