With the Home Office preparing a consultation that could align Section 2 shotguns with Section 1 firearms, barrister Nick Doherty examines whether the proposals would genuinely improve public safety or simply damage the UK gun trade.Readers will be aware that the Government intend to hold a Consultation on proposed changes to firearms legislation. We…
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Dear GTA MemberI had the privilege of taking leadership of the Gun Trade Association in April. Now, with Christmas fast approaching, I want to take stock, reflecting on the progress made over the past eight months as well as the challenges ahead.The Association I inherited was not in good shape either administratively…
The Home Office has opened a public consultation on proposals to introduce a licensing system for sellers and importers of knives and bladed articles. The consultation seeks views on the potential introduction of a new licensing framework and will inform future policy advice and decision-making by the Home Secretary and ministers. According to the…
Simon Reinhold, head of operations at Holt’s Auctioneers in Norfolk, told delegates at the National Gamekeepers' Organisation conference that the transition away from lead ammunition will have lasting implications for firearms ownership, gun suitability, and trade patterns. Non-lead ammunition impact on gun ownership is particularly significant as Reinhold, whose firm handles up to 15,000 firearms…
Martin Parker, head of firearms at BASC, opened his presentation at the recent National Gamekeepers’ Organisation conference with a familiar admission, he is still resorting to Freedom of Information requests to gather data on staffing and costs. That alone speaks volumes about the state of firearms licensing in England and Wales.Parker, who has compiled…
The Government’s intention to consult on aligning Section 1 and Section 2 licensing has created significant concern across the shooting community. Speaking to Gun Trade Insider, Edward King, GTA council member and managing director of ASI, set out why the potential changes could have profound implications for certificate holders, the gun trade and the wider rural…
Superintendent Shane Baker of the Police Digital Service (PDS) used the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation conference to set out how the planned replacement for the National Firearms Licensing Management System (NFLMS) could change the way forces handle applications – and whether it can realistically ease long waiting times.Baker said the current landscape is defined by…
Nestled within Britain’s tight-knit gun trade is a firm that exemplifies continuity, quality and craftsmanship: Bill Blacker & Sons. Specialising in high-end barrel making, rebarrelling and complex repair work, the company is a trusted name among makers and restorers of best guns, with a customer base that spans both UK shores and international markets. At…
Speaking at the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation conference, NPCC Firearms Licensing Strategic Coordinator, Superintendent Adrian Davis, explained that a structured five-day course for Firearms Enquiry Officers (FEOs) has now been delivered for just over twelve months across England and Wales. The programme was introduced in response to the Prevent Future Death Notices issued after the inquest…
A GTA member in Sussex recently alerted the Gun Trade Association to a series of fraudulent activity taking place through the Gungle website.According to the GTA, the case began when a customer asked the member – referred to here as GM – to purchase a Second World War rifle advertised on the site. The…


