Legislation containing provisions to deregulate sound moderators has received Royal Assent, marking another step towards their eventual removal from firearms licensing controls in the UK.The measure forms part of the Crime and Policing Act 2026, which was granted Royal Assent on 29 April 2026. While this represents a significant milestone, sound moderators remain classified as…
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The Gunmakers Trust is continuing its efforts to safeguard traditional British gunmaking skills through a bursary scheme designed to support apprentices across the UK. By providing financial assistance to employers and trainees, the Trust aims to ensure that specialist craft skills developed over centuries remain part of the modern gun trade.Established in 2003, the…
Proposals to significantly increase firearms licensing fees in Northern Ireland have been brought forward by the Department of Justice, with changes discussed during a recent Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Justice meeting.The system, administered by the Police Service of Northern Ireland Firearms and Explosives Branch (PSNI/FEB), could move to a full cost recovery model if the…
As the first quarter show season wraps up, the SGC delivers a high-energy roundup of the standout launches from this year’s IWA event. Renowned for its strong attendance and strictly trade-only access, this flagship B2B showcase once again proved the perfect arena to get hands-on with cutting-edge products and to spot the trends set to…
Edgar Brothers has announced a £12 million investment in a new purpose-built headquarters and National Defence Manufacturing & Innovation Centre (NDMC), marking a significant expansion of its UK operations.The 70,000 sq ft facility will be located eight miles from the company’s current site and is expected to be completed by October 2026. The move…
BSA Guns UK Ltd has reported the theft of 81 FAC-rated PCP air rifles while they were being transported from the United Kingdom to Spain.According to information circulated to the trade, the theft occurred in the Basildon area of Essex overnight on Thursday 19 February while the rifles were in transit.The firearms involved…
The 17th Great British Shooting Show closed its doors at the NEC Birmingham on Sunday 15 February having delivered one of the most significant editions in the event's history. Attendance was up 20% on the previous year, the halls were busy across all three days, and the quality of brands, speakers and product launches confirmed…
Drawing on decades of frontline policing experience, Chris Downs, Creator & Principle Advisor at https://firearmslicensing.net/ examines the Home Office’s proposed knife sales licensing regime, questioning its evidence base, enforceability and likely impact on both policing capacity and legitimate trade.Knife crime remains one of the most significant threats to public safety in the UK. After…
The Gun Trade Association (GTA) has issued a formal response to the Home Office consultation on licensing knife retailers and importers, warning that the proposals risk creating an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy for legitimate trade while placing further strain on already stretched police firearms licensing departments.The consultation, published on 16 December 2025 and open…
The Great British Shooting Show, which is being held 13-15 February at the NEC Birmingham, has become such a fixture in the shooting calendar that it's easy to forget just how far this event has travelled. What began as a modest outdoor gathering has evolved into the UK's premier shooting exhibition, and behind the scenes…


