New Home Office statistics reveal downward trend in certificate holders and gun numbers, UK loses 94 registered firearms dealers in 12 months
The number of legally held firearms and shotguns in England and Wales continues to fall, according to the latest Home Office release, while the volume of revocations and refusals has reached new highs.
As of 31 March 2025, there were 145,306 firearm certificates on issue, a decrease of 1% on the previous year, and 482,612 shotgun certificates, down 3%. The combined total of 496,904 individuals holding either certificate type or both represents the lowest figure since comparable records began in 2016.
This marks the sixth consecutive year of decline in shotgun certificate numbers and the lowest total since the introduction of the National Firearms Licensing Management System (NFLMS) in 2007. The decrease continues a long-term trend linked to aging participation and evolving licensing standards.
Despite the fall in certificate numbers, the average number of guns held per certificate has increased. As of March 2025, holders kept an average of 4.3 firearms or 2.8 shotguns each, both record highs since data collection began.
Record-high revocations and refusals
Enforcement activity by licensing authorities also intensified. Revocations of firearm certificates reached an all-time high of 542 in the year to March 2025, up 7% on the previous year. Shotgun certificate revocations stood at 1,476, the second highest on record, though slightly down from 2024.
Refusals of new applications were similarly elevated. There were 334 firearm certificate refusals (down 19%) and 1,073 shotgun certificate refusals, the latter representing the highest recorded since NFLMS data became available.
These developments appear to be linked to strengthened statutory guidance introduced in 2021 and revised in February 2023, which placed greater emphasis on consistency across police forces and introduced a clearer requirement for medical checks and evidence-based assessments.
Dealer numbers fall and temporary permits shift
The number of registered firearms dealers in England and Wales also declined by 3%, falling from 2,876 to 2,782, a net loss of 94 dealers over 12 months. Despite this fall, the Home Office recorded a 14% rise in renewal applications, continuing a three-year pattern of cyclical activity driven by the RFD licence’s three-year term.
Among the noticeable recent closures is that of Nick Cross’ Premier Guns, which was based at Garlands Shooting Ground and, before that, at Doveridge. Known for its customer service and strong retail presence, Premier Guns had built a loyal customer base and a solid reputation within the trade. Its closure highlights the pressures facing even well-established dealers.
Temporary permit activity diverged by type. Temporary firearm permits fell by 10% to 459, while temporary shotgun permits increased by 31% to 1,361. However, the latter figure was skewed by backlogs in just three police force areas; excluding those, there was a 75% reduction in temporary shotgun permits, suggesting forces are acting on guidance to reduce reliance on these measures.
Ageing demographic and rural dominance
The typical certificate holder remains male (94%) and over the age of 50 (69%). The youngest shotgun certificate holder was seven, and the youngest firearm certificate holder was 14.
Ownership remains highest in rural areas, with Dyfed-Powys, Norfolk and North Yorkshire recording the most shotgun and firearm certificates per capita. Metropolitan areas continue to show the lowest rates of certificate ownership.
Other notable trends
- Firearm visitor permits have rebounded post-pandemic, up 30% year-on-year to 1,979
- Shotgun visitor permits rose 4% to 5,160
- Lost and stolen firearms and shotguns increased 10% to 455 cases, representing 0.02% of the total stock on certificate
The figures confirm a tightening landscape for certificate holders and dealers alike, with police forces increasingly adopting a more rigorous licensing approach under revised statutory guidance. For the trade, this data points to a smaller but possibly more active core market, concentrated in rural areas and skewing older.
The full statistical release, along with accompanying data tables and guidance, is available via the Home Office. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/firearm-and-shotgun-certificates-april-2024-to-march-2025/firearm-and-shotgun-certificates-april-2024-to-march-2025
