The great and the good of the UK trade congregated at the Gun Trade Association (GTA) event at Bisley Camp, held on Tuesday 4 June 2024. Attendees enjoyed a morning of precision rifle shooting at the venue’s excellent facilities before the serious business began, starting with the GTA AGM, followed by expert talks on a variety of important issues affecting the trade.
Oskar Waktare, chairman of the GTA, read out the Chairman’s Annual Report to begin proceedings. He noted that 2022 was dominated by the residual effects of the pandemic, the cost of living crisis, licensing delays and lead uncertainty. All these factors have impacted the trade and the number of people participating in shooting activities. Concerning the delays, the GTA has been consistently engaging with the Home Office, national and local police forces, achieving some success, although issues persist in certain areas. There have also been engagements with the Home Office on licensing, fees and moderators, with some progress made on the latter issue. Unfortunately, with the announcement of the General Election on 4 July, these matters will be deferred until further notice.
Simon West OBE, executive chairman of the GTA, then mentioned that, despite the ongoing challenges, the GTA council and staff are persistently exploring their relationships with politicians, government officials and police to alleviate the pressures on Registered Firearms Dealers (RFDs).
The gun trade and the Internet
Philip Montague, a veteran with 20 years in the digital software industry, shared his insights on the intersection of the internet and the gun trade. His experience spans all facets of internet technology over the past two decades, providing him with a comprehensive understanding of both opportunities and challenges in this domain.
Montague emphasised that the internet presents a significant opportunity for the gun trade today, not a future problem to be deferred. He stressed the immediacy of the opportunity with compelling statistics: 96.5 per cent of UK residents have internet access, and 97 per cent of those are daily users. The average daily internet usage in 2023 was three and a half hours. He highlighted the analogy of the internet being a high street with 60 million daily visitors, suggesting a vast potential customer base for businesses.
Montague’s primary advice was the implementation of two-factor authentication (2FA) for all social media and website accesses. This step is crucial to prevent unauthorised access and vulnerability through phishing attacks. He noted that many in the shooting trade have suffered from security breaches due to the lack of 2FA, emphasising its importance. Additionally, he advised against storing customer data in spreadsheets like Microsoft Excel, advocating for more secure systems like HubSpot or Mailchimp to protect sensitive information.
Censorship-free digital advertising
Next up were two guests from Topple, the leading censorship-free digital advertising platform. The director of growth for the UK and Europe, Alex Cooper, began the talk, followed by the company founder and CEO, Brian Aitken.
Cooper introduced Topple by highlighting the platform’s expansive reach, boasting over 1,200 different digital properties. The platform is featured on major conservative news publications in the United States, such as Breitbart and The Federalist. Fieldsports Press is also using Topple’s services across its publications in the UK. Essentially, Topple can display ads wherever they can be viewed, including VR headsets and Apple Watches. Cooper explained that Topple has effectively rebuilt the entire infrastructure used by Google Ads, creating their own network and thus avoiding the need to outsmart Google itself.
Topple operates as a free market digital advertising platform, allowing advertisers to promote anything legal within their geographic location. Notably, 60 per cent of Topple’s business comes from the firearms industry, with major advertisers including 18 Point, Vortex Optics and Norma Precision. The shooting sector benefits from Topple’s ability to bypass the restrictions faced on other platforms.
Brian Aitken expanded on Topple’s capabilities by explaining how advertisers can track their return on investment. Each advertiser receives a login and a piece of code to monitor campaign performance. For example, a campaign with a T-shirt company in the US, which generates $50 million in annual sales, can determine that for every dollar spent on Topple, they make $11 in revenue. Topple’s algorithms and calculations continually refine ad placements to optimise profit for advertisers.
Simon West’s address
West then shared the GTA’s latest work with the attendees. He emphasised the importance of staying informed and engaged with the evolving challenges that are facing the gun trade industry.
West highlighted that he regularly distils insights for the GTA Council, identifying various threats and discussing the measures being taken to address them. These insights are prioritised and acted upon, either independently or in collaboration with other organisations, to protect and advance the interests of the trade.
He expressed gratitude to the council for a recent productive meeting, where detailed discussions led to actionable items. One of the major topics was the ongoing issue of police licensing delays, which have significantly impacted the trade over the past decade. While 50 per cent of police forces currently meet the guidelines for renewals, many others fall short.
West explained that while the GTA cannot directly solve these issues, it can raise the profile of the problem at both national and local levels. By engaging with politicians, the Home Office and the National Police Chiefs’ Council, the GTA aims to highlight and address these challenges. He pointed out the inconsistency across the UK’s police forces, where each chief constable can handle licensing differently, often leading to a lack of a lawful basis for certain practices.
A case in point was the Metropolitan Police’s attempt to impose medical record checks for all RFD employees, a move which lacked proper procedural backing. With the help of legal opinions and meetings with the Home Office, the GTA successfully challenged this decision.
West also touched on the broader political landscape, criticising the government’s failure to address firearms licensing over the past two and a half years. Despite progress in some areas, many legislative changes remain unfinished, and the upcoming general election has further delayed these efforts.
On the issue of certificate fees, which were last reviewed in 2014, West mentioned ongoing work with the British Shooting Sports Council (BSSC) and the Home Office to draft new fee structures. Proposed increases are reasonable considering inflation and new statutory guidance requirements. However, the election has postponed the implementation of these changes.
The GTA has also worked on removing moderators from control under the Regulatory Reform Order, which was nearly finalised before being halted by the election. Similarly, lead ammunition restriction regulations, delayed by the Health and Safety Executive, now await the next government.
West stressed the need for consistent application of laws and the importance of engaging closely with future ministers and government officials to advocate for fair and logical firearms regulations. He also emphasised the necessity of understanding that the risk lies with individuals, not the firearms themselves.
The recent Value of Shooting study was highlighted as a crucial tool for demonstrating the economic and social importance of shooting sports. The study, developed over two years, provides valuable data for advocacy and policy discussions.
In conclusion, West urged the trade to remain vigilant and proactive, using tools like the Value of Shooting study to influence future decision-makers. He acknowledged the challenging times ahead, but expressed confidence in the resilience and adaptability of the industry.
West’s address underlined the GTA’s commitment to navigating the complex landscape of firearms regulation, advocating for fair practices and supporting the trade through informed and strategic actions.
National Crime Agency
The last talk of the day came from the National Crime Agency (NCA). Simon West introduced the NCA speakers by saying:
“I was asked to be a member of the Criminal Use of Firearms Prevention group. This is a multi-agency and stakeholder group focused on preventing the criminal use of firearms, particularly in the realm of serious organised crime, rather than, for example, isolated incidents involving shotguns. This initiative addresses the organised aspect of firearm misuse. I am privileged to be the co-chair alongside Charles Yates, deputy director for borders and commodities. Additionally, I am a member of the strategic governance group, which allows me to see one layer above the operational level. I can report that, as taxpayers, we are receiving excellent value from this impressive organisation. Although I don’t have access to the operational details, I do see the policies and some of the innovative ideas behind their strategies. I am absolutely delighted to introduce Christian and his team from the NCA, who will provide insights into their current structure and efforts in tackling firearm-related crimes.”
Christian Ashwell, the NCA’s head of threat for criminal use of firearms, then took the floor. Established in 2013, the NCA celebrated its 10th anniversary last year. It evolved from a precursor agency created during the Labour government, continuing to develop under subsequent administrations.
Christian explained the NCA’s structure and remit, which includes tackling the supply of illicit goods into the criminal market. This involves international coordination, with NCA officers strategically placed around the world and covering more than 130 countries. The agency focuses on major threats, including organised crime involving firearms, which often ties into drug trafficking and the associated violence that comes with it.
The NCA’s approach includes executing warrants, intercepting communications and conducting surveillance. It collaborates with other law enforcement and security agencies, such as MI5 and MI6, to safeguard public safety. Christian emphasised the legal distinction in the firearms domain: while all firearms have lawful purposes, their misuse in criminal activities is a significant concern.
Christian and his team employ a four-pronged strategy known as the “four P approach”: Pursue (chasing criminals), Protect (safeguarding the public), Prevent (stopping crimes before they occur) and Prepare (getting ready for potential incidents). This comprehensive framework aims to mitigate threats and ensure public safety.
Christian continued the presentation by addressing the nature and scope of the threat posed by firearms in the UK. He explained that the NCA constantly assesses and collects intelligence, both covertly through human sources and openly, to understand criminal activities and trends. With around 6,000 firearms offences a year, most of these are threats rather than actual discharges, with only about 10 per cent involving a firearm being discharged. The majority of firearms crime occurs in major cities. Christian noted that all firearms homicides are tragic and sadly there remains an average of 25 to 30 homicides involving firearms annually.
Christian also highlighted that most firearms crimes are linked to serious organised crime, often related to the drug trade. The NCA’s job is to disrupt these illicit activities and keep firearms out of criminal hands. He also noted a positive trend: while firearms seizures have increased, the number of actual discharges and injuries has decreased. This suggests that the efforts to control and identify firearms have been effective.
One particular area of concern is the misuse of firearms that have legal purposes but are diverted to illegal use. Christian pointed out that criminals often convert legal firearms, such as blank-firing pistols, into live-firing weapons. The NCA has seen a rise in the use of these converted firearms, particularly those imported from overseas countries. The agency has worked with manufacturers to address this issue, ensuring that new models are more difficult to convert.
Another growing threat are 3D-printed firearms. Although still a relatively low-level issue, the potential for these weapons to become more prevalent is significant. The NCA has identified and intercepted attempts to produce and distribute 3D-printed guns, which are often advertised as kits or components online. These weapons can be manufactured, however the process involves a detailed understanding of both the printing technology and the assembly of the components. This necessitates a comprehensive knowledge of 3D printing techniques, materials and the operational functionality of firearms.
Christian emphasised the importance of balancing control measures with the legitimate needs of the firearms trade. The NCA works closely with industry representatives, such as the GTA, to ensure that regulatory measures do not unduly burden lawful gun owners and traders. The goal is to prevent firearms from being diverted into criminal hands while supporting the legal trade.
Christian concluded by highlighting the importance of collaboration and communication between the NCA and the firearms community. By working together, they can develop effective strategies to mitigate risks and protect both the public and the interests of lawful firearms owners. The NCA’s ongoing efforts to understand and address the threat landscape are crucial in maintaining safety and security in the UK.
Project RUTIC
Christian’s colleague, Emma White, NCA firearms & explosives officer, then gave a talk regarding Project RUTIC, an NCA-led initiative aiming to coordinate the 4P response to firearms document and marking fraud to establish the threat and prevent the diversion of firearms from lawful to unlawful use.
Emma began by introducing herself, mentioning her decade-long experience in the firearms world before joining the NCA a couple of years ago. Her background gives her a unique perspective and dedication to improving the security of the trade and preventing lawful firearms from falling into unlawful hands.
Emma explained that Project RUTIC was launched last year in response to a recurring issue where fraudulent documents were used to make online transactions. These fraudulent activities typically involved monetary schemes where deposits were paid and transactions were reversed, resulting in financial losses but no actual acquisition of firearms. Such fraudulent licences have been reported right across the country, including instances of the same fraudulent document being used in different locations.
She emphasised the importance of adapting to the digital world despite the challenges in transforming the national assessment system. Emma noted that there are currently three active cases where companies reported attempts to use fraudulent certificates to acquire firearms. Increased awareness has helped in preventing these transactions or diverting them to safer channels.
Emma stressed the need for a thorough understanding of the security features in firearm licences. Research showed that many long-time members of the firearms trade were unaware of specific security features in the licence paper. Basic verification techniques, such as checking for UV-reactive features and examining how paper reacts under different conditions, were all highlighted as essential security practices.
The project aims to raise awareness among traders about these security features to prevent fraud. Emma acknowledged that while this initiative might not solve all problems, it is nevertheless a step towards ensuring that traders remain vigilant and do not assume every certificate is genuine.
Furthermore, Emma discussed the potential for incorporating digital verification methods into the transaction process. Although she did not provide specific details, she mentioned that integrating digital aspects could enhance security before the broader changes to their systems are implemented.
Emma reiterated the importance of continuing to secure the trade and adapting to new threats and challenges. The objective is to prevent lawful firearms from being diverted into unlawful hands through enhanced awareness and improved verification processes. This proactive approach is a critical step towards maintaining the integrity and safety of the firearms trade.