Devon & Cornwall Police Firearms team

Please complete and return your renewal application as soon as you can – ideally, just after you receive your renewal letter and at least 8 weeks before the renewal date. Prompt action will help us ensure you remain covered, particularly if you have a business need.

We will only begin processing your grant or renewal once we have received all your paperwork. If parts of the application are missing, such as your GP report, this will lead to delays and possibly rejection. It is your responsibility to contact your GP and ensure the letter has been sent.

Please be assured that we routinely contact certificate holders prior to expiry whose licenses  are coming up for renewal to provide an update on applications. With this in mind please ensure your contact details are current.  Enquiry calls divert us from our core function of processing and could delay your renewal further so please use the FAQs or email if necessary.

The delays for some have been significant and we apologise that we have not been able to provide the service you expect, and we want to deliver. This has been as a result of numerous factors including revised statutory guidance.

We are now in a position where the volume of delayed grants is being reduced. With additional staff supporting us, we have reallocated resources and refined our processes to achieve safe efficiencies with a sustainable plan moving forward.  We now hope to make progress with these grants.

As mentioned, statutory guidance has changed, and it is now the applicant’s responsibility to contact their GP and ensure that the GP has submitted the letter on the applicant’s behalf, or their application cannot be processed.   It may be for some applicants their application will be rejected as this GP report has not been received but they will receive separate information regarding this.

How can you help?

Statutory guidance requires a home visit for every grant application. In the interests of efficiency, we intend to group visits together and so ask for your support in attending your allotted appointment. 

If there is a delay in contacting you to arrange this, it will be due to the time needed to perform background checks.

If you already have a security cabinet fitted, this will be checked during the home visit, reducing the need for a second appointment.

We are working with stakeholders to provide regular updates regarding the factors that contribute to our current position and, what we are doing about it.

Thank you for your ongoing support to firearms licensing unit and again I apologise over the delay you have faced.

Many thanks

Robin Curtis

Chief Inspector, Firearms Licencing Senior Manager

Please remember, it is the applicant’s responsibility to contact their GP and ensure that the GP has submitted the Report. Your application will not be progressed without this Report and regarding a new application will not be accepted without a report

Your application will be processed as quickly as is practicably possible and prioritised according to occupational need (please make this clear on your application).

We currently process 86% of non-contentious applications within 112 days of receipt.

In some cases, delays have been significant and we apologise for this reduced service.

We are working hard to clear a backlog of applications, particularly with renewals, and are confident of offering an improved service over the next 12 months.

Revised statutory guidance has affected our processing times but better resourcing and greater efficiency is now helping us deliver results quickly, especially with issuing grants. Process automation via the centralised ‘single online home’ platform is also helping us offer a better digital service to users.

As part of this plan, we have reduced temporary permits in line with statutory guidance.

As stated on the Firearms Licensing area of our website, you must apply at least eight weeks before the expiry of your certificate(s) for an automatic extension (S28b). If you don’t, we cannot grant the automatic extension and therefore you will need to arrange alternative storage for your guns to avoid being in unlawful possession during the interim.

You must then contact the Firearms Licensing Unit - Gun Transfer Form - informing us where and with whom you have lodged your guns.

Only section 2 shotgun ammunition – (S5(1) of the 1988 Act allows the holder of a S7 permit to purchase section 2 shotgun ammunition.)

Shotguns:

If you possess a shotgun, legally held on a shotgun certificate, and you no longer wish to keep it, you have various options for disposal, as follows:

• You can sell, give, or transfer its ownership to a Registered Firearms Dealer or another shotgun certificate holder who has adequate and safe storage for the gun.
• You can surrender the gun at any police station, where it will normally be sent away for destruction, unless it is deemed of historical interest. If the latter, it may be given to a museum or other interested official party.
• You can have the gun deactivated.

Other Firearms:

If you hold guns on a firearms certificate, the scenario is slightly different when selling, giving or transferring them to another firearms certificate holder.

Unlike shotguns, firearm certificate holders can only possess firearms authorised on their certificates, due to the requirement to have ‘good reason’ to possess.

Before transferring firearms to another firearm certificate holder, you must ensure that their certificate carries the authority for the calibre and firearm in question.

No such restrictions apply to Registered Firearms Dealers, except in respect of prohibited weapons.

The option to surrender firearms at a police station, or have them deactivated, applies to firearms as well as shotguns.

 General:

Guns should never be destroyed or disposed of by their owners. Every gun needs to be accounted for and the police authority that issued the certificate informed, in a timely manner, about the gun’s status.

Unwanted section 1 ammunition can be disposed of through another authorised firearm certificate holder, Registered Firearms Dealer, your target shooting club or surrendered at any police station.

The revocation notice contains the reasons why we have felt it necessary to revoke your certificate(s). It also contains details of your right to appeal this decision, for which you have 21 days to lodge your intention to appeal with the Crown Court. We can discuss the appeal process if you are unsure.

The Police have a responsibility to protect both the certificate holder and the general public. There are numerous reasons why we might ask you, as a certificate holder, to surrender your guns, including:

• If we receive credible intelligence about you and/ or your gun storage that gives us serious cause for concern.
• If an incident has occurred involving you and/ or requiring police attendance at your address. In the interest of public safety, you could then be asked to voluntarily hand over your certificate and guns while the incident is investigated. This is termed a ‘suitability assessment or case review’.

Our top priority is always to protect public safety, so if we have serious concerns about your continued access to firearms, we will take swift, preventative action. If this is the case, you may be asked to surrender your firearms voluntarily pending a review of your continued suitability.

If voluntary surrender is not possible however, your firearms could be removed using powers under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) in England and Wales or, in Scotland, under Common Law powers to seize firearms in circumstances of ‘significant danger’ to public safety.

When firearms are surrendered or seized, ammunition and the certificate will also be confiscated. In this event, you will be issued with a receipt and a photograph documenting the firearms, accessories and ammunition removed.

As above, you will be provided with a receipt as soon as possible or shortly after attending your review meeting. Be assured that we always aim to do this promptly unless operational pressures cause us unavoidable delay. Attending officers will also photograph your firearms or record the condition of your firearms on Body Worn Video.

Each case is allocated to a supervisor who will make a recommendation based on their findings. We will endeavor to keep you updated however If you wish to get in touch and check the status of your review, please use the online form, via the link on our contact page.

There are numerous outcomes, including:

• No further action is taken, so your guns and certificate are returned to you.
• In certain circumstances, you could receive a warning letter from us.
• Your certificate might be revoked.

Alternatively, you may be asked to make other arrangements for your gun storage, away from your home address. This will be made clear on the documentation you receive after the Suitability Review.

At your request and cost, firearms will either be stored with a Registered Firearms Dealer/suitable certificate holder or stored at our D&C Police Central Property Store. Either way, the firearms will be photographed by officers at the time and a receipt issued.

If your firearms are currently being held by the Police and you’d prefer them to be stored at a Registered Firearms Dealer or suitable certificate holder, you must email us, with the name and address of the person/business you wish to have the firearms stored with. We will then write to them directly, granting permission to retrieve the firearms on your behalf and providing details of how to collect from the Central Property Store.

We must investigate each case individually and in full. This might involve viewing CCTV, taking statements, plus interviewing witnesses and the certificate holder. As a result, it can take weeks for a recommendation to be completed, so we appreciate your patience whilst the process is underway.

We also need to balance completion of these enquires with routine renewals and grants. This detailed work is carried out by a finite number of staff, so assessments could be subject to delays, which we understand can be frustrating. Once a recommendation has been made, this will go to a senior officer in Firearms Licensing for consideration.

To correctly handle firearms, officers need appropriate training. Most of those officers who are trained in the correct handling and storage of firearms are our armed police colleagues.

Storage:

It is your responsibility to ensure that your weapons are secure during the moving process.

The easiest way to do this is to store your weapons with a registered firearms dealer.

Shotguns can be temporarily stored with another shotgun certificate holder - providing the holder has secure accommodation. The holder cannot, however, store the shotguns for more than 72 hours without adding them to his or her certificate.

If you are unable to temporarily store your weapons elsewhere, you should immediately secure your cabinet, with rawl bolts, to a solid brick wall inside your house.

Moving:

If you are moving within the area of your current firearms authority you must inform them immediately, in writing, and return your existing certificate for amendment, ensuring that you include a daytime contact number.

Change of address form

Firearms Licensing, or on some occasions another police department on our behalf, will contact you and arrange for a security inspection at your new home. If you have returned your old certificate, you will be provided with a new one.

If the security at your new home requires upgrading, you will be given the full details and allowed 28 days to make the improvements.

If you cannot meet the deadline, you must tell the officer who can arrange for a short extension.

If security is found to be inadequate you will be required to store your weapons elsewhere until the matter is resolved.

If you move to a new firearms authority area you should contact them immediately and they will inform you of their procedure. You must also inform your current firearms office of your intended move so that your files can be passed to the new authority.

Travelling to an EU Country –

You can no longer use an existing European Firearms Pass (EFP) to travel to the EU with your firearm or shotgun. Instead, you should check the firearms licensing requirements of the EU country you’re travelling to or through, ahead of travelling.

Please contact the British embassy, consulate or high commission in that country. They'll be able to advise you on the necessary steps.

Please also consult with your airline and travel company to make sure you comply with all of their security requirements.

Travelling to a Country outside the EU –

How do I apply?

Please contact the British embassy, consulate or high commission in that country. They'll be able to advise you on the necessary steps.

Please also consult with your airline and travel company to make sure you comply with all of their security requirements.

Travelling from an EU Country –

You'll need a 'sponsor' to apply for a visitor's permit on your behalf. This person must be resident in the UK.

A typical application takes up to eight weeks to process.

Please ask your sponsor to complete these three steps:

Step 1: Download and complete our Application for a Visitor's Firearm/Shot Gun Permit form (Form 107). You can upload your completed permit application via our Contact Us Form by selecting General Enquiries.

They'll need:

• a copy of your European Firearms Pass (EFP)
• a copy of your current firearms certificate (if applicable)
• your club or society details (if applicable)
• if neither of the above apply, a confirmation of good character letter from the government or police
• details of where your firearm(s) and / or shotgun(s) will be stored while in the UK
• details of which firearm and / or shotgun and ammunition you'll be getting, using or transporting
• your criminal conviction history (if applicable)

Step 2: They can only pay via phone - we'll contact them to make their payment.

Step 3: You can upload your completed permit application file via our Contact Us Form by selecting General Enquiries, or Post the completed form and documents to:

Firearms & Explosives Licensing Dept.
Devon and Cornwall Police
Force Headquarters
Middlemoor
Exeter
EX2 7HQ

How much does it cost?

An application for one to five people is £20 per person.

An application for a group (six to 20 people) is £100.

What happens after I apply?

We'll get in touch as quickly as possible if we have any questions about your application or need to ask for more information.

Travelling from outside an EU Country –

You'll need a 'sponsor' to apply for a visitor's permit on your behalf. This person must be resident in the UK.

A typical application takes up to eight weeks to process.

Please ask your sponsor to take these three steps:

Step 1: Download and complete the Application for a Visitor's Firearm/Shot Gun Permit form (Form 107). You can upload your completed permit application via our Contact Us Form, by selecting General Enquiries.

They'll need:

• a copy of your current firearms certificate (if applicable)
• your club or society details (if applicable)
• if neither of the above apply, a confirmation of good character letter from the government or police
• details of where your firearms will be stored while in the UK
• details of which firearm or shotgun and ammunition you'll be buying, using or transporting
• your criminal conviction history (if applicable)

Step 2: They can only pay via phone - we'll contact them to make their payment.

Step 3: You can upload your completed permit application file via our Contact Us Form by selecting General Enquiries, or Post the completed form and documents to:

Firearms & Explosives Licensing Dept.
Devon and Cornwall Police
Force Headquarters
Middlemoor
Exeter
EX2 7HQ

How much does it cost?

An application for one to five people is £20 per person.

An application for a group (six to 20 people) is £100.

What happens after I apply?

We'll get in touch as quickly as possible if we have any questions about your application or need to ask for more information.

There have been many incidents where people without firearms/shotgun certificates, through no fault of their own, have suddenly found themselves in "possession" of firearms or shotguns. The first criterion is not to panic and potentially do something illegal.

Such an incident could be, for instance, when a certificate holder dies, and the widow or widower is left with their firearms or shotguns. In such circumstances the police are empowered to issue a temporary permit to allow lawful access to them, to allow time for the firearms or shotguns to be disposed of properly.

If you find uncertificated firearms or shotguns in your "possession", for instance discovering them in your loft having just moved into a new address; do not handle them, they could be loaded and in a dangerous condition. Immediately call your local police who will make them safe and dispose of them for you.

Should you find yourself "inheriting" firearms or shotguns you have a few choices. If you are a certificate holder, then you can request that they be added to your own certificate. This would depend on them not being lost or stolen and you having capacity to store them and, in the case of a firearm certificate, the authority to possess that type of firearm. You could also request the required authority but would need to satisfy good reason.

If you are not a certificate holder you could first request a permit allowing you access to these, this would give you the time to get them to a Registered Firearms Dealer for storage, whilst you decided what to do next. You could then apply for a certificate yourself to allow you to keep the firearms or shotguns but remember you would need to satisfy good reason.

Another alternative is to have them deactivated which would remove them from all legislation relating to firearms. They would still retain the original appearance but would be incapable of discharging a missile.

In all case of doubt, contact your local police or Firearms Licensing. They will deal sympathetically with your problem and help you find the right solution. The last thing anybody wants is for firearms or shotguns to get into the wrong hands.

A permit can be issued by the Chief Officer of Police, as a temporary authority, for the possession of firearms or shotguns. It is not normally issued to a certificate holder, but to someone who, unexpectedly, finds the need to have legal access to weapons (see example above).

The authority is usually of a restrictive nature and may not allow use of the weapons for shooting. The permit, by nature of the fact that it is temporary, has a limited life span, probably about thirty days. This can be extended in exceptional circumstances.

The idea of the permit is to allow the holder to transfer or transport weapons, perhaps to a Registered Firearms Dealer or another certificate holder. It is not designed as a legal authority in place of a normal certificate.

You could look on a permit as a temporary "cover-note".

Yes, under certain circumstances.

Many approved shotgun clubs and Registered Firearms Dealers hold open days, where people without certificates can fire club guns to test their interest in the sport.

The club or dealer must hold a section 11(6) permit, issued by the police, which allow these events on a limited number of days each year.

Approved rifle and muzzle-loading clubs will allow the shooting of club guns providing you are a club member. Clubs also allow non-members to use club weapons on a limited number of days as guests.

You may also shoot shotguns and rifles when accompanied by a certificate-holding landowner or their agent, such as a game warden. You must, however, shoot on the owner's land, using their weapons within the limitations of the certificate for that weapon.

You may not borrow another person's gun if they do not occupy the land you intend to shoot on.

A prohibited person is:

• Anyone who has been sentenced to preventive detention or to imprisonment or corrective training for a term of three years or more
• Anyone who has been sentenced to be detained for a term of three years or more in a young offenders' institution in Scotland

Prohibited people are banned for life from having in their possession all firearms - including air weapons.

Anyone who has been sentenced to:

• Borstal training
• Corrective training for less than three years
• Imprisonment for a term of more than three months but less than three years
• Detention for more than three months but less than three years in a detention centre or young offenders' institution in Scotland

- shall not at any time during the five years after their release, have a firearm or ammunition in their possession.

It is also an offence for anyone to sell or transfer a firearm or ammunition to, or repair, test or prove a firearm or ammunition for a person who they know, or have reasonable grounds for believing, to be prohibited from having a firearm or ammunition in their possession.

Due to the UK leaving the EU on 31 January 2020 we are no longer able to issue a European Firearms Pass (EFP). If you wish to take your weapons to any other country, whether in or outside the EEC, you should seek advice from the embassy or consulate of that country. 

Northern Ireland:
Holders of British firearm and shotgun certificates wishing to take their firearms to Northern Ireland will need a valid certificate of approval from the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland in addition to their usual certificates.

Air weapons also require licenses in Northern Ireland and approval, as above, is necessary to take them there.

To permanently import or export firearms will normally require the grant of a licence from the Department of Trade and Industry. The import and export of firearms is a complex subject and advice should be sought from the following:

Import:
Department for Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform
Import Licensing Branch
Queensway House
Billingham
TS23 2NF

tel: 01642 364333
fax: 01642 364269

Export:
Department for Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform
Export Licensing Unit
4 Abbey Orchard Street
London
SW1P 2HT

tel: 020 7215 8070
fax: 020 7215 0558

Under section 17 of the 1988 Act a visitor to Great Britain may, if he is granted a visitor's permit, have in his possession firearms, shotguns or ammunition without holding a certificate.

The holder of a visitor's firearm permit may have in his possession any firearm (but not purchase one), and purchase, acquire or have in his possession any ammunition, to which section 1 of the 1968 Act applies.

The holder of a visitor's shotgun permit may have in his possession, purchase or acquire shotguns and is exempt from the requirement to produce a shotgun certificate when purchasing cartridges. Both permits are valid for a period of up to 12 months and must show the full details of weapons covered and, in the case of a firearms permit, show details of the quantity of ammunition to be purchased/acquired and held. Similarly, territorial and other conditions as would appear on a firearm certificate, will normally be imposed on a firearm permit.

Separate permits for each police area are not required as both permits will cover the visitor throughout Great Britain.

Criteria for granting a permit:

A Chief Officer of Police must not grant a permit to any person in respect of whom he has reason to believe:

That his possession of the ammunition or weapons in question would represent a danger to public safety or to the peace; or

That he is prohibited from possessing such weapons or ammunition.

If the grant is not precluded on the above grounds, the Chief Officer of Police must be satisfied that:

The applicant is visiting or intends to visit Great Britain;

AND

In the case of a visitor's firearm permit, the applicant has good reason for having each firearm and the ammunition to which the permit relates in his possession, or, as respects ammunition, for purchasing or acquiring it whilst a visitor to Great Britain;

OR

In the case of a visitor's shotgun permit, the applicant has a good reason for having each shotgun to which the permit relates in his possession, or for purchase or acquiring it, whilst he is a visitor to Great Britain.

When a permit is granted, it will be sent to the sponsor who should forward it to the visitor in his country of origin, for presentation to customs on his arrival in Great Britain. The visitor's permit will be accepted in lieu of a Department of Trade & Industry import licence. Failure to produce the permit at the time of importation may render the firearms/shotguns liable to detention or seizure.

Members of EU countries must be in possession of a European Firearms Pass which should be forwarded with the application for the permit.

Should an application for the grant of a visitor's permit be refused there is no right of appeal. However, notification of such refusals will, circumstances allowing, be detailed by letter in good time to prevent any unnecessary travel costs.

Conventional air weapons do not fall within the remit of the Firearms Enquiry Team, as they do not, except in certain circumstances, require certification. However, many people are interested in this subject and have asked for information.

An air weapon differs from a conventional firearm by the fact that it, and the pellets discharged, do not contain any explosive substance.

When the trigger is pulled the pellets are forced from the barrel by the discharge of compressed air or other gas.

Most air weapons are of such limited power that they do not require to be licensed, however there are exceptions to this rule.

The Firearms (Dangerous Air Weapons) Rules 1969 require that certain air weapons can only be held legally on a firearm certificate. It is possible to measure the velocity of pellets, discharged from an air weapon, by the use of an electronic chronograph. From these measurements the kinetic energy of the pellet at the muzzle can be calculated. Air weapons deemed especially dangerous have a muzzle energy in excess of:

In the case of an air pistol: 6 ft/lbs (8-13 Joules)

In the case of an air weapon other than an air pistol: 12 ft/lbs (16-27 Joules)(and metric equivalents)

Such weapons are classified as Section 1 firearms and are required to be held on a firearm certificate. These weapons are subject to all the controls and regulations pertaining to Section 1 firearms, although the "ammunition" (pellets) is not.

These rules do not apply to an air weapon designed for use only when submerged in water, e.g. harpoon gun.

BB Guns/Air Soft Guns

BB guns or ball bearing guns, also known as soft air guns, are legally sold in shops and on the Internet for people to use in organised 'Skirmish Clubs'. These clubs organise combat games between clubs. Generally, this type of recreation if properly organised does not cause concern at all to the police or general public, however when these types of weapons are used irresponsibly by people in public places these types of incidents give the police grave concerns.

It is an offence to be in possession of an imitation firearm in a public place

In a word... yes you can...HOWEVER..

Providing that you follow some sensible rules then you should be able to enjoy your Air gun in the confines of your own property!

You need to make sure you have enough space. A garden of over 20m is going to be best.

Check your backdrop... that means you should be aware of what is in the area behind where you are shooting. A wooden garden fence is not going to stop your pellet leaving your boundary.

Think of others! Try not to upset the neighbours or make them feel intimidated and inform anyone who has access to your garden that you are shooting. If you have family pets, keep them indoors.

If your pellets go outside of your property boundary then you have committed an offence.

Think Safety

The word "antique" is not defined anywhere within any of the Firearms Acts or Regulations, so how do we know what is acceptable as "antique"?

Dictionary definitions include "not of our time" and "a relic of former times".

Consequently, it must be accepted that modern reproductions, even of very old flintlocks, etc., cannot be antique.

Many people use the old maxim that over 100 years old means it is antique. To a great extent this will prove to be true, but there are always the exceptions to the rule. There are some old weapons which are still capable of firing a modern centre fire cartridge and are therefore not classified as antique.

It may be easier to understand what is acceptable as antique, if we first establish what is "modern". Modern, in relation to firearms, has now been established as: manufactured since or during the Second World War. The following tables are a guide as to what may or may not be antique. In reality every case will need to be judged on its own merit.

Antiques:

All muzzle loading firearms, except those of "modern" manufacture.

Breech loading firearms capable of discharging a rim fire cartridge exceeding .23" calibre (or its metric equivalent), but not 9mm.

Breech loading firearms using ignition systems other than rim fire or centre fire. (e.g. pin-fire and needle-fire).

Breech loading firearms incapable of firing a centre fire cartridge.

Not Antiques:

Breech loading firearms capable of firing either:

a centre fire cartridge,

OR

a rim fire cartridge not exceeding .23" (or its metric equivalent),

OR

a 9mm rim fire cartridge.

All firearms of "Modern" manufacture.

All ammunition

If a firearm falls within the accepted definition of antique, then it is no longer subject to the provisions of the Firearms Acts, providing it is kept as a curio or ornament. It will be seen above that no ammunition can be classified as antique and the possession of suitable ammunition, for use with an otherwise antique firearm, may indicate that the firearm is not possessed as a curio or ornament.

Please note that as of 22 March 2021, new legislation came into force regarding Antique Firearms. Please see the Changes to the Law section on the Licensing home page.

For further information please visit The Home Office guidance on Antique Firearms What you need to know?

The Firearms Amendment Act 1988 saw the removal of pump-action and semi-automatic shotguns - both of which have a magazine capable of holding more than two cartridges - from shotgun certificates.

These weapons are now classed as section 1 firearms and can only be held on a firearm certificate.

Many shotgun certificate holders had to either dispose of these weapons or have them restricted.

What is restriction?

Restriction adapts the shotgun magazine, allowing it to hold no more than two conventional cartridges. A third cartridge can still be legally held in the breech.

Restriction must be carried out in a manner approved by the Secretary of State and carried out by a fully qualified gunsmith. The shotgun must be proof marked and certified by a proof house.

What if I want to acquire a restricted shotgun?

If you plan to acquire a pump-action or semi-automatic shotgun on a shotgun certificate, you must ensure that the magazine cannot hold more than two cartridges. Adapted weapons must be proof marked and carry a certificate from a proof house. The magazine must also be non-removable.

Failure to ensure these points may expose you to being in unlawful possession of section 1 firearms.

If you feel you have not had the service, you expect and wish to complain then in the first instance we would encourage you to speak to one of the team either via telephone or email.  If however you feel this is not appropriate or does not resolve your concerns then details of how to make a formal complaint can be found here - How to complain about the police | Devon & Cornwall Police (devon-cornwall.police.uk)