West Mercia Police has made up its own rules restricting Section 1 shotguns – that is shotguns with a magazine capacity greater than two cartridges, which are considered an essential everyday tool for pest controllers and gamekeepers. Their reason? Section 2 shotguns are sufficient for pest control, and Section 1 guns could be more dangerous if stolen. Gamekeeper Geoff Garrod explains why he needs a Section 1 shotgun to do his job.
If you have been affected by the changes, please get in touch.
Chief Inspector Andy Wortley, of West Mercia’s Firearms Licensing Unit, said:
“The primary responsibility of the Firearms Licensing Department is to ensure public safety, which remains the overriding factor in all licensing decisions. Firearms are tightly regulated in the UK, and the work of licensing departments plays a vital role in maintaining low levels of gun crime.
“In August 2025, following a number of tragic incidents involving firearms certificate holders, the Home Office issued revised Statutory Guidance for Chief Officers of Police on Firearms Licensing. This updated guidance places clear statutory obligations on police forces to carry out more comprehensive checks on all certificate holders—whether their certificates were issued prior to, or applied for after, the publication of the guidance.
“We have reviewed our approach to certain categories of firearms where specific risks have been identified with weapons previously authorised. Some firearms—such as semi-automatic multi-shot Section 1 shotguns, short-barrelled weapons, and certain high-calibre rifles—present a heightened risk if they were to fall into the wrong hands, including through theft from a lawful certificate holder. With an increased demand for these types of weapons, we must take seriously the potential for them to enter the criminal market.
“For this reason, higher-capacity, multi-shot Section 1 shotguns will not be routinely authorised for vermin or avian pest control. These activities can be equally achieved through the use of Section 2 shotguns. Any application for a higher-capacity, multi-shot section 1 shotgun for these activities will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and will only be authorised if an exceptional need is demonstrated by the applicant.
“We fully recognise that certain professions require specific types of firearms, and we remain committed to assessing each application on its individual merits at both grant and renewal stages. Our aim is always to ensure that authorisation reflects genuine need rather than preference, while maintaining the safety of the public as our foremost priority.”
To watch all of Fieldsports Britain, episode 855, visit FieldsportsChannel.tv/fieldsportsbritain855