Firearms & Explosives

LicensingWorking Group

Dear Colleague

Firearms Licensing – Backlogs

I am taking this opportunity to write to you to express my concerns as the National Lead for Firearms and Explosives Licensing Working Group (ACPO FELWG) regarding the current backlog in renewals of firearm and shotgun certificates that some forces are experiencing.

I would like to highlight the vulnerability of any force that has a significant backlog on renewals of firearms and shotgun certificates. Put simply, where a renewal is not completed prior to the expiry date of a certificate, firearms/shotgun holders will possess a weapon without a current certificate. Whilst such possession is unlawful, if it is clear that this failing was due to the inability of a firearms department to process the renewal in time, it would not be in the public interest to prosecute the individual for unlawfully possessing the firearm.

If the backlogs are not addressed there is a potential risk that a force could be viewed to be permitting unlawful possession. There is a further reputational issue should such an unlawfully held weapon be used in the commission of an offence. The matter of backlogs has been of recent and repetitive concern in the shooting media which could result in subsequent criticism and review.

In the circumstances I would urge you to support your firearms licensing departments in clearing the back logs where they exist, to ensure that any risk of foreseen avoidable harm to public safety is minimised.

As you maybe aware, work is ongoing to look at improving efficiencies in the firearms licensing process. The eCommerce initiative for policing is looking to automate the application and vetting process providing an online service, relieving time intensive tasks from staff, allowing them to concentrate on reducing risks to public safety.

Please be assured that ACPO FELWG will continue to scope, research and develop opportunities to improve efficiency and costs to the firearms licensing process.

Yours sincerely

Andy Marsh

Deputy Chief Constable

Chair, ACPO FELWG