Accredited official statistics

Statistics on firearm and shotgun certificates, England and Wales: April 2023 to March 2024

Published 27 June 2024

Applies to England and Wales

This release presents statistics on firearm and shotgun certificates issued by police forces in England and Wales under the Firearms Act 1968 (as amended).

A firearm or shotgun certificate is a type of licence issued by the police. It allows the holder to possess a firearm or shotgun and associated ammunition in Great Britain. Firearm and shotgun certificates are valid for 5 years and the holder must apply to renew a licence before the expiry date.

This release includes data, trends and police force comparisons on:

The user guide provides additional information on statistics on firearm and shotgun certificates.

The accompanying data tables provide supplementary data to this release.

1. Data coverage

The statistics in this release are taken from the National Firearms Licensing Management System (NFLMS), which is updated continuously. This is a register of all people who have applied for, or have been granted, a firearm or shotgun certificate (including registered firearms dealers). Data are either as at 31 March 2024 or relate to data recorded between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024.

The user guide provides additional information on data coverage.

2. Summary of statistics

Data taken from the NFLMS as at 31 March 2024 showed that there were:

• 147,364 firearm certificates on issue, a 0.2% increase compared with 31 March 2023
• 495,798 shotgun certificates on issue, a 1% decrease compared with 31 March 2023
• 510,717 people who held a firearm and or a shotgun certificate, a 1% decrease compared with 31 March 2023
• 510 temporary firearm permits, an 84% decrease compared with 31 March 2023
• 1,042 temporary shotgun permits, an 87% decrease compared with 31 March 2023

In the year ending 31 March 2024, there were:

• 6,809 new applications for firearm certificates, of which 94% were granted and 6% were refused (the highest proportion of new applications refused since comparable records began, following the introduction of the NFLMS in 2007)
• 16,529 new applications for shotgun certificates, of which 94% were granted and 6% were refused (the highest proportion of new applications refused since comparable records began, following the introduction of the NFLMS in 2007)
• 3,778 new coterminous applications, of which 92% were granted and 8% were refused (coterminous certificates allow a holders’ firearm and shotgun certificate to expire on the same day)
• 507 firearm certificates revoked, a 21% increase compared with the year ending 31 March 2023 (the highest number of firearm certificate revocations since comparable records began, following the introduction of the NFLMS in 2007)
• 1,559 shotgun certificates revoked, a 34% increase compared with the year ending 31 March 2023 (the highest number of shotgun certificate revocations since comparable records began, following the introduction of the NFLMS in 2007)
• 413 firearms and shotguns reported as lost or stolen (0.02% of around 2 million firearms and shotguns covered by certificates on issue over the same period), a 21% decrease compared with the year ending 31 March 2023

In the year ending 31 March 2024, the number of revoked firearm and shotgun certificates, and refused applications for new certificates were the highest since comparable records began. Revocations and refusals have shown an upward trend over recent years, which may be partially due to the introduction of statutory guidance for police on firearms licensing in November 2021 which aimed to improve consistency and licensing standards across forces. The latest increases may in part be linked to the release of revised statutory guidance in February 2023.

The decrease in temporary permits may be due to the revised statutory guidance issued in February 2023 which stated that forces with significantly high numbers of temporary permits on issue should work to ensure these numbers were substantially reduced.

3. Firearm and shotgun licensing

All people who acquire or are in possession of a firearm and or shotgun must hold a certificate issued by the chief officer of the police force area they live in, unless they are otherwise exempt. Chapter 6 of the Home Office guide on firearms licensing law explains the exemptions in more detail.

The chief officer can issue a firearm or shotgun certificate if they are satisfied that:

(i) The applicant has ‘good reason’ for having the firearm; the ‘good reason’ test applied to firearms certificates is complex, but most firearm certificate holders possess firearms for reasons relating to their profession, sport, collection or recreation.
(ii) The applicant is fit to be entrusted with a firearm.
(iii) Public safety or the peace is not at risk.

On 1 November 2021, statutory guidance for chief officers of police was introduced, and it was revised on 14 February 2023. The statutory guidance requires police forces to consider relevant medical information about an applicant before issuing a firearm or shotgun certificate or before registration of a firearms dealer.

The user guide provides additional information on legislation and regulations.

4. Firearm and shotgun certificates on issue

4.1 Lowest number of shotgun certificates on issue since comparable records began

Figure 1 shows there were 147,364 firearm certificates on issue as at 31 March 2024, a 0.2% increase (+224) compared with 31 March 2023 (147,140). This small increase follows decreases in each of the last 4 years.

Figure 1 also shows there were 495,798 shotgun certificates on issue as at 31 March 2024, a 1% decrease (-5,096) compared with 31 March 2023 (500,894). This is the fifth consecutive year there has been a decrease and marks the lowest number of shotgun certificates on issue since comparable records began, following the introduction of the NFLMS in 2007. The number of shotgun certificates on issue had previously shown small fluctuations (between 561,000 and 582,000 over the 2015 to 2019 period).

Figure 1: Firearm and shotgun certificates on issue (thousands), England and Wales, as at 31 March 2015 to 2024

Source: Home Office, Statistics on firearm and shotgun certificates, England and Wales: April 2023 to March 2024: data tables 1 and 3

Data on firearm and shotgun certificates on issue by police force area are in data tables 2 and 4.

5. Average number of weapons covered by firearm and shotgun certificates

As at 31 March 2024, an average (mean) of 4.2 firearms were held on a firearms certificate. This has remained the same compared with the previous year and is the highest average recorded since 2009 (when comparable records began). The average number of firearms held on a certificate has shown a steady increase over the past 16 years, with the lowest being 3.1 as at 31 March 2009.

As at 31 March 2024, an average (mean) of 2.7 shotguns were held on a shotgun certificate. This has also remained the same when compared with the previous year and is the highest average recorded since 2009 (when comparable records began). Between 2009 and 2020, the average was between 2.3 and 2.4 and has steadily increased since then.

5.1 Majority of weapons covered by firearm certificates were rifles and sound moderators

Types of firearms

Firearms are categorised as rifles, handguns, muzzle-loading handguns, section 1 shotguns, sound moderators and other firearm types. Section 1 shotguns have a magazine (cartridge holder) that can hold more than 2 rounds and are held on firearm certificates. The user guide provides further definitions for other firearm types.

Of the 624,245 firearms covered by a firearm certificate in England and Wales as at 31 March 2024, the majority (57%) were rifles and 33% were sound moderators. These proportions have remained stable over the last 9 years.

Rifles are typically used for target shooting or for controlling vermin.

Sound moderators are an accessory designed to reduce the noise or flash of a firearm. They are held on a firearm certificate.

5.2 Almost all weapons covered by shotgun certificates were section 2 shotguns

Types of shotguns

Shotguns are categorised as section 2 shotguns (in general, these either have no magazine (cartridge holder) or have a non-detachable magazine incapable of holding more than two cartridges). The user guide provides further definitions for other shotgun types.

Of the 1,345,973 shotguns covered by a shotgun certificate in England and Wales as at 31 March 2024, almost all (over 99%) were section 2 shotguns. Other shotgun types, or those with no type recorded on the NFLMS, accounted for fewer than 1% of shotguns (0.4% and 0.1%, respectively).

A section 2 shotgun is held on a shotgun certificate and they are mainly used for vermin control or clay pigeon shooting.

Data on weapons held on firearm and shotgun certificates by police force area are in Statistics on firearm and shotgun certificates, England and Wales: April 2023 to March 2024: data tables 2, 4 and 14.

6. Number of certificate holders

6.1 Lowest number of certificate holders since comparable records began

As at 31 March 2024, 510,717 people held a firearm and or shotgun certificate. This was a 1% decrease (-5,783) compared with 31 March 2023, and is the lowest number since comparable figures have been available (March 2016). This total figure includes those that hold either a firearm certificate or shotgun certificate only, and those that hold both types of certificate. A person is only counted once if they hold both a firearm and a shotgun certificate.

Of the 510,717 certificate holders:

Gender

• 94% (478,428) were male
• 6% (32,289) were female

Age

• 0.2% (1,150) were aged 17 years or under
• 12% (60,153) were aged 18 to 34
• 19% (97,989) were aged 35 to 49
• 36% (182,811) were aged 50 to 64
• 33% (168,614) were aged 65 and over
• the youngest shotgun certificate holder as at 31 March 2024 was aged 10 (as at 31 March 2023 the youngest shotgun certificate holder was aged 9)
• the youngest firearm certificate holder as at 31 March 2024 was aged 14 (as at 31 March 2023 the youngest firearm certificate holder was also aged 14)

Young people aged 13 and under, cannot lawfully hold a firearm certificate. Information on the exemptions that apply to young people under the Firearms Act 1968 which allow them to possess a firearm or shotgun in certain circumstances, for example; sporting purposes, for use at a rifle or pistol club, cadet corps or miniature rifle range is available in appendix 4 in the Home Office guide on firearms licensing law and provides further detail on the laws and exemptions for young people holding certificates.

Figure 2: Resident population and firearm and or shotgun certificate holders by age group, England and Wales, as at 31 March 2024

Source: Home Office, Statistics on firearm and shotgun certificates, England and Wales: April 2023 to March 2024: data table 12; Office for National Statistics (ONS) mid-2022 population estimates

Figure 2 shows that those aged 50 and over are more likely to hold a firearm, and or shotgun certificate than those in younger age groups. Those over 50 account for 38% of the total population of England and Wales and 69% (351,425) of firearm and or shotgun certificate holders.

Table 1 shows that the proportion of those holding a firearm certificate was very similar to those holding a shotgun certificate by age group. A higher proportion of females held shotgun certificates (6%) compared to firearms certificates (3%).

Table 1: People who held a firearm and or shotgun certificate by age and gender, England and Wales, as at 31 March 2024

	People who held a firearm certificate	People who held a shotgun certificate	People who held a firearm certificate per 100,000 population	People who held a shotgun certificate per 100,000 population
Male	97% (142,246)	94% (464,859)	482	1,575
Female	3% (5,090)	6% (30,933)	17	101
13 and under	Not applicable	0.01% (69)	Not applicable	1
14 to 17 years	0.1% (130)	0.2% (1,063)	5	38
18 to 34 years	11% (16,747)	12% (59,106)	128	451
35 to 49 years	21% (30,277)	19% (95,826)	262	828
50 to 64 years	37% (54,686)	36% (177,507)	466	1,511
65 years and over	31% (45,496)	33% (162,221)	402	1,435

Source: Home Office, Statistics on firearm and shotgun certificates, England and Wales: April 2023 to March 2024: data tables 12 and 13; Office for National Statistics (ONS) mid-2022 population estimates

Notes:

1. People aged 13 and under cannot lawfully hold a firearm certificate.
2. Gender is reported as provided by the applicant on the certificate application form. The data is collected for female and male; missing data is reported as unknown. See the user guide for more information.

6.2 Police forces with highest number of firearms and shotguns per 100,000 people were rural

As shown in figure 3, the police force areas with the highest number of firearms (held on certificates) per 100,000 people were those in more rural areas: North Yorkshire (3,035), Dyfed-Powys (2,935) and Cumbria (2,494).

Police force areas with the lowest number of firearms (held on certificate) per 100,000 people were those with larger metropolitan areas: Metropolitan Police (196), West Midlands (322) and Merseyside (336).

Certificates are issued by the police force area that the holder’s primary address is in. However, the weapon may be stored and used in another police force area.

Figure 3: Firearms per 100,000 people by police force area, England and Wales, as at 31 March 2024

Source: Home Office, Statistics on firearm and shotgun certificates, England and Wales: April 2023 to March 2024: data table 2; Office for National Statistics (ONS) mid-2022 population estimates

Notes:

1. City of London is not included as the mid-2022 population estimate is less than 100,000.
2. The areas with the highest and lowest number of certificates per 100,000 people are labelled.

Similar to the geographical patterns for firearms in figure 3, the areas with the highest number of shotguns (held on certificate) per 100,000 people as at 31 March 2024 were also police forces in more rural areas: Dyfed-Powys (6,727), Norfolk (6,367) and North Yorkshire (5,759). The lowest were larger metropolitan areas including Merseyside (498), the Metropolitan Police (507) and Greater Manchester (535) (Figure 4).

Figure 4: Shotguns per 100,000 people by police force area, England and Wales, as at 31 March 2024

Source: Home Office, Statistics on firearm and shotgun certificates, England and Wales: April 2023 to March 2024: data table 4; Office for National Statistics (ONS) mid-2022 population estimates

Notes:

1. City of London is not included as the mid-2022 population estimate is less than 100,000.
2. The areas with the highest and lowest number of certificates per 100,000 people are labelled.

Data covering the certificate type and gender and age of certificate holders by police force area can be found in data tables 11, 12 and 13.

Police force areas with the highest number of firearms and shotguns per 100,000 people are consistently those in more rural areas. The population is often lower in police forces in more rural areas than those that cover cities. Firearms and shotguns owned in rural areas are more likely to be used for employment purposes (for example, gamekeeping and farming) as well as leisure activities (for example, target shooting and game shooting).

7. Applications, refusals and revocations

7.1 Highest number of firearm certificate applications refused and revoked since comparable records began

In the year ending 31 March 2024, there were:

• 6,809 new applications for firearm certificates, an increase of 4% (+281) compared with the year ending 31 March 2023 (6,528)
  • of these new applications, 6% (414) were refused, a higher proportion than the year ending 31 March 2023 (3%) and the highest number of new applications refused since comparable records began, following the introduction of the NFLMS in 2007
• 20,839 firearm certificate renewal applications, a decrease of 21% (-5,476) compared with the year ending 31 March 2023 (26,315)
  • of which 99% were granted (20,610), and 1% (229) were refused
• 507 firearm certificates that were revoked, a 21% increase (+89) compared with the year ending 31 March 2023 and the highest number of revocations since comparable records began, following the introduction of the NFLMS in 2007

7.2 Highest number of shotgun certificate applications refused and revoked since comparable records began

In the year ending 31 March 2024, there were:

• 16,529 new applications for shotgun certificates, an increase of 1% (+171) compared with the year ending 31 March 2023 (16,358)
  • of these new applications, 6% (1,072) were refused, a higher proportion than the year ending 31 March 2023 (4%) and the highest number of new applications refused since comparable records began, following the introduction of the NFLMS in 2007
• 3,778 new coterminous applications (this allows for a holders’ firearm and shotgun certificate to expire on the same day; more information is included in the user guide), an increase of 7% (+254) compared with the year ending 31 March 2023 (3,524)
• 47,371 shotgun certificate renewal applications, a decrease of 30% (-19,850) compared with the year ending 31 March 2023 (67,221)
  • of which 99% were granted (46,913), and 1% (458) were refused
• 19,573 applications for coterminous renewals, a decrease of 20% (-4,968) compared with the year ending 31 March 2023 (24,541)
• 1,559 shotgun certificates that were revoked, a 34% increase (+398) compared with the year ending 31 March 2023 and the highest number of revocations since comparable records began, following the introduction of the NFLMS in 2007

In the year ending 31 March 2024, the number of revoked firearm and shotgun certificates, and refused applications for new certificates, were the highest since comparable records began. These numbers have shown an upward trend over recent years, which may be in part due to the introduction of statutory guidance for police on firearms licensing in November 2021 which aimed to improve consistency and licensing standards across forces. The latest increases may in part be linked to the release of revised statutory guidance in February 2023.

Refusals: The chief officer of the police force concerned may refuse an application if they are not satisfied that the applicant can fulfil the criteria for the grant or renewal of a certificate. All application refusals must have reasons clearly justified and explained.

The chief officer of the police force concerned can revoke a firearm or shotgun certificate including, for example, if they believe that the holder can no longer be entrusted with a firearm and or a shotgun in accordance with the Firearms Act 1968 (as amended), is prohibited from possessing a firearm or shotgun, or if their possession of the firearm or shotgun is considered to be a danger to public safety or the peace.

Data on new applications, renewals and revocations by police force area are in Statistics on firearm and shotgun certificates, England and Wales: April 2023 to March 2024: data tables 2, 4 and 5.

8. Additional statistics

8.1 Number of registered firearms dealers increased by 2%

On 31 March 2024, there were 2,876 registered firearms dealers in England and Wales. This represents a 2% increase (+54) compared with 31 March 2023 (2,822). In the year ending 31 March 2024, there were 544 renewal applications from previously registered dealers, a 49% decrease compared with the previous year but a similar level to the year ending March 2021 (571). Firearms dealers are required to renew their licence every 3 years, and a large proportion of dealers apply to renew their licence in the same year at the end of each 3 year cycle, as shown in data table 6.

A firearms dealer may only conduct business (including exhibiting at game fairs, arms fairs and other temporary events), if they are registered as a firearms dealer by the chief officer for that police force area. Therefore, within the total figure of registered firearms dealers, a dealer may appear more than once if they are registered in more than one police force area.

Data on registered firearm dealers by police force area are in Statistics on firearm and shotgun certificates, England and Wales: April 2023 to March 2024: data tables 6 and 7.

8.2 Increase in visitor permits for shotguns

In the year ending 31 March 2024:

• 1,517 people were covered by individual or group visitors’ permits for firearms, a similar number to the year ending 31 March 2023 (1,519)
• 4,944 people were covered by individual or group visitors’ permits for shotguns, an increase of 6% compared to the year ending 31 March 2023 (4,673)

In the year ending 31 March 2024, visitors’ firearms permits remained at a similar level to the previous year. This follows steady increases following the COVID-19 pandemic, during which there were sharp decreases. Visitors’ permits for shotguns have increased in each of the last 3 years, although numbers are around two-thirds of those seen prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Data on visitors’ permits by police force area are in Statistics on firearm and shotgun certificates, England and Wales: April 2023 to March 2024: data tables 8, 9 and 10.

8.3 Number of firearms and shotguns reported lost or stolen has decreased

In the year ending 31 March 2024, 413 firearms and shotguns were reported as lost or stolen, of which 161 were lost and 252 were stolen. This equates to 0.02% of firearms and shotguns covered by certificates on issue over the same period (around 2 million) and compares with 522 in the year ending 31 March 2023 (0.03% of total firearms and shotguns covered by certificates).

The 161 lost firearms and shotguns included shotguns (96), sound moderators (28) and rifles (24). The 252 stolen firearms and shotguns included shotguns (207), rifles (25) and sound moderators (18).

Data on lost and stolen firearm and shotguns by police force area are in Statistics on firearm and shotgun certificates, England and Wales: April 2023 to March 2024: data table 15.

8.4 Number of temporary firearm and shotgun permits has decreased

As at 31 March 2024, there were:

• 510 temporary firearm permits, a decrease of 84% (-2,596) compared with 31 March 2023 (3,106)
• 1,042 temporary shotgun permits, a decrease of 87% (-7,020) compared with 31 March 2023 (8,062)

The decrease in temporary permits may be due to the revised statutory guidance issued in February 2023 which stated that forces with significantly high number of temporary permits on issue should work to ensure these numbers are significantly reduced. The statutory guidance was published on 14 February 2023 and indicated that forces should make these changes within 6 months.

Chief officers of police forces are authorised by section 7 of the Firearms Act 1968 (as amended) to issue temporary permits in certain limited circumstances to temporarily enable the possession of firearms or shotguns where it may not be necessary or desirable to issue a certificate or, exceptionally, where a certificate holder’s application for renewal of a firearm and or shotgun certificate cannot be processed before the certificate expires. In addition, a temporary permit may be issued to authorise the temporary possession of firearms, shotguns or ammunition by a relative, executor of a will or receiver or liquidator of a bankrupt’s estate.

Data on temporary firearm and shotgun permits by police force area are in Statistics on firearm and shotgun certificates, England and Wales: April 2023 to March 2024: data table 16.

Accredited official statistics

Accredited official statistics are called National Statistics in the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007. These statistics have been independently reviewed by the regulator and found to comply with the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code of practice for statistics.

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Frequency of release: Annual

Next releases: Home Office statistics release calendar

Home Office responsible statistician: Jenny Bradley

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