Circular 006/2019: Firearms (Fees) Regulations 2019
Published 20 September 2019
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Fees for museum firearm licences, club approval and section 5 authorisations
Published 20 September 2019
1) This circular describes the effect of the Firearms (Fees) Regulations 2019, which were made under section 32ZA of the Firearms Act 1968 and section 15B of, and paragraph 3A of the Schedule to, the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988. The Regulations introduce new fees for museum firearm licences, club approval and section 5 authorisations.
2) The new fees come into force on 1 October 2019. Applications received by the Home Office or Scottish Government on or after 1 October will incur the new fees. Applications received before 1 October will remain subject to the previous fee (if applicable).
3) The new fees are (with certain exceptions for museums) intended to recover the costs of the Home Office, Scottish Government and the police in administering applications. Fees are payable on grant. The applicable fee levels are set out in the Firearms (Fees) Regulations 2019.
4) The fees for museum firearm licences, club approval and section 5 authorisations are set out in the table below (paragraph 20). The fees cannot be charged on a “pro rata” basis for authorisations of shorter duration. Refunds are not available after licences have been granted.
5) The Home Office or the Scottish Government will determine what category an application falls under, in accordance with the legislation, and will process the application accordingly.
Exceptional cases
6) Museums that possess a museum firearms licence are not subject to any fees in respect of applications for, or variations of, authorisations as dealers under Section 5.
7) Dealers who make an application to the police to be a registered firearms dealer (RFD) as part of their Section 5 application will be subject to a discount equal to the amount of their fee to the police to be registered as an RFD (currently £200). This will avoid double payment. As the dates for RFD and Section 5 renewal are synchronised after grant, the discount will ordinarily apply to renewal applications. In cases where the applicant is already an RFD and applying for grant of a Section 5 Dealer licence, they will not benefit from the discount.
Variations
8) The fee levels for the different categories of variation applications relate to the degree of scrutiny required:
Variation A: Significant Government scrutiny and a police visit will be required, for example new premises at which firearms will be stored or a significant new area of business.
Variation B: Some Government scrutiny and a police check but no visit, for example a change to a person named on the authority, such as a named individual who is responsible for security.
Variation C: Any other change – an administrative change, such as a change of name, which requires the re-issuing of the licence.
Variation D: Applicable to PMSCs only – the authorising of new guards, which requires police checks. There is a charge for each new guard.
9) If an application to vary an authorisation contains variations of more than one category, then the aggregate of the applicable fees is payable. An application can include more than one variation of the same category without additional charge. Renewal applications cannot be used to apply for variations. A separate application is required.
10) It should be noted that variations A, B, C and D cannot be used to transfer the authority to a new holder or otherwise change the holder of an authority, or to change the duration of an authority. A new holder would need to make a new application for grant of an authority.
Section 5 dealer variations
11) In respect of section 5 dealer authorities, variations are categorised as follows:
Variation A
- substitution of the premises in relation to which the authority is granted
- addition of premises in relation to which the authority is granted
- change, other than a reduction, to the authorised quantities of prohibited weapons
- change, other than a reduction, to the authorised quantities of prohibited ammunition
- change to the authorised type of prohibited weapons
- change to the authorised type of prohibited ammunition
- change to an activity carried on by the firearms dealer in relation to which the authority has been granted
Variation B
- substitution of person named on the authority
- addition of named person to the authority
Variation C
- any other change
Section 5 carrier variations
12) In respect of section 5 carrier authorities, variations are categorised as follows:
Variation A
- substitution of the premises in relation to which the authority is granted.
- addition of premises in relation to which the authority is granted.
Variation B
- substitution of person named on the authority
- addition of named person to the authority
Variation C
- any other change
Section 5 Private Maritime Security Company variations
13) In respect of Private Maritime Security Companies, variations are categorised as follows:
Variation A
- substitution of the premises where prohibited weapons or prohibited ammunition are stored
- addition of premises where prohibited weapons or prohibited ammunition are stored
- change, other than a reduction, to the authorised quantities of prohibited weapons, but only when not accompanied by a type D variation
- change to the authorised type of prohibited weapons
Variation B
- substitution of the person named on the authority
- addition of named person to the authority
Variation C
- any other change, except for a type D variation
Variation D
- approval of armed guards (there is an additional charge per guard)
Rife and muzzle-loading pistol club approval variations
14) In respect of rifle clubs and muzzle-loading pistol clubs, variations are categorised as follows:
Variation A
- substitution of the premises in relation to which the approval is granted
- addition of premises in relation to which the approval is granted
- addition of type of rifle to the approval
- addition of muzzle-loading pistol to the approval
Variation B
- substitution of the person named on the approval
- addition of named person to the approval
Variation C
- any other change
Museum licence variations
15) In respect of museums, variations are categorised as follows:
Variation A
- substitution of the premises in relation to which the licence is granted
- addition of premises in relation to which the licence is granted
Variation C
- any other change
Payment of fees
England and Wales
16) Fees for all museum licences, club approvals and section 5 authorisations are invoiced once a decision has been made on an application, but before a licence is issued. Invoices for are sent via email to the invoicing contact on the application form.
17) Fees can be paid to the Home Office by one of the following methods:
- Bankers Automated Clearing Service (BACS)
- Clearing House Automated Payment System (CHAPS)
- Credit or debit card. Call Shared Service Connected Limited on 08450 100 125
18) Please ensure when making a payment that your invoice number is included in the reference section of your bank transfer. Please send any remittance advice to:
Shared Service Connected Limited
HO Box 5003
Newport
NP20 9BB
Scotland
19) Invoices will be sent by post to the contact on the application. Fees can be paid to the Scottish Government by one of the following methods:
- Bankers Automated Clearing Service (BACS).
- Clearing House Automated Payment System (CHAPS).
- debit card. Visit www.gov.scot/payments
- cheque
20) Please ensure when making a payment that your invoice number is included in the reference section of your bank transfer. Please send any remittance advice to:
Treasury and Banking Section
Mail Point 12
3A North
Victoria Quay
Edinburgh
EH6 6QQ
21) The fees are set out in the following table:
| Licence type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Museum first time | £200 |
| Museum renewal | £200 |
| Museum variation A | £110 |
| Museum variation C | £36 |
| Club first time | £444 |
| Club renewal | £372 |
| Club variation A | £300 |
| Club variation B | £206 |
| Club variation C | £36 |
| Dealer first time (see paragraph 7) | £796 (before discount) |
| Dealer renewal (see paragraph 7) | £747 (before discount) |
| Dealer variation A | £425 |
| Dealer variation B | £206 |
| Dealer variation C | £36 |
| Carrier first time | £569 |
| Carrier renewal | £540 |
| Carrier variation A | £361 |
| Carrier variation B | £206 |
| Carrier variation C | £36 |
| PMSC first time | £616 |
| PMSC renewal | £565 |
| PMSC variation A | £361 |
| PMSC variation B | £206 |
| PMSC variation C | £49 |
| PMSC variation D | £316 |
| New Guard | £48 |
| Defence and Security Equipment international exhibitor | £389 |
| Olympic shooter | £206 |
| Trophy of War | £206 |