The government’s decision to increase firearms licensing fees by more than double poses a threat to rural livelihoods and fails to deal with gross inefficiencies which in many cases provides an unacceptable service. That’s the message from shooting organisations, led by BASC.
“An inefficient system is an ineffective system, and this puts public safety at risk because the wrong people may obtain guns, says BASC chief executive Ian Bell.
Effective from February 2025, the increases include a 111% rise for firearms certificate renewals and a 157% rise for shotgun certificate renewals, with no explanation provided for how these figures were calculated. On average, fees will rise by 133% – far exceeding the rate of inflation.
BASC is also warning that such steep hikes risk pricing working people out of shooting sports, while undermining vital pest control and conservation work carried out in the countryside. “For many who work in rural areas, owning a firearm is not a luxury, but an important tool of the job” says Bell.
Adding to the financial burden on applicants is the cost of mandatory medical verification introduced since the last fee increase, which can range from £50 to £300, further increasing the cost at a time when household budgets are already feeling the strain.
Bell adds: “This fee hike fails to address the glaring inefficiencies in the firearms licensing system. It will price many people out of lawful shooting activities, alienating rural communities and threatening essential conservation and pest control work.
“We have already been inundated with messages from people who are asking why they are asked to pay above inflation for a failing service. Many have shared with us their frustrations about having to pay more for a service which in many cases makes them wait between one and two years to have their applications processed.
“The government has provided no transparency on how these figures were calculated and has ignored calls for reforms to create a fair and efficient licensing process. Public safety and responsible firearms ownership should go hand in hand, but this decision achieves neither.”
BASC has called on the government to reconsider this approach and provide transparency and a balanced system that protects public safety without penalising lawful firearms owners. The organisation continues to engage with senior policymakers and rural MPs to advocate for meaningful reforms.
