Police Digital Service (PDS), working in collaboration with the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and the Home Office, has confirmed that a new national firearms licensing solution will be delivered. This solution will replace the current National Firearms Licensing Management System (NFLMS).
The NFLMS, which has been in use since the mid-2000s, is reaching the end of its operational life. PDS will procure a commercial off-the-shelf product to replace the platform. It will have integration to partner agencies and national systems built in.
Rollout across police forces in England and Wales is scheduled to begin in mid-2026. Full implementation and decommissioning of the existing system will occur by mid-2027.
PDS has advised forces considering local investment in licensing systems to contact the NFLMS replacement team. This is to align with the national project.
According to PDS, the replacement will provide a secure and consistent platform for managing firearms, shotgun and explosives licensing. This includes Home Office Explosives, Poisons and Precursors (EPP).
- Improving public safety through better oversight and data sharing
- Removing operational risks associated with a legacy system with limited support
- Reducing time and cost for policing through a compliant, scalable solution
- Enabling greater collaboration across forces, government and stakeholders
- Introducing modern technology, automation and analytics to future-proof licensing
Police Digital Service said the project is strategically aligned with wider policing, Home Office, and UK Digital, Data and Technology policies.
For further information, PDS has invited enquiries via nflms@pds.police.uk.
