Gun licensing a 'postcode lottery', report says

Problems with England and Wales' firearms licensing system are putting "public safety at risk", a report has said.

His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) said the process was not fit for purpose with applicants facing a "postcode lottery" in how they were assessed.

The report was carried out following the murder of five people in the Keyham area of Plymouth in 2021 by Jake Davison, who also took his own life, weeks after having his shotgun certificate returned to him after it had been seized when he assaulted a teenage boy.

The inspectorate blamed "unclear guidance and legislation" combined with "poor supervision and oversight" for the shortfalls.

HMICFRS said shootings involving legally held firearms led to at least 39 murders in England and Wales in the decade to March 2025.

It has called for a new national authority to replace the 38 local firearms and explosives licensing units.

His Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary Lee Freeman said certificate holders and the wider public deserved a system that was "clear, consistent and robust".

"Most of the nearly 500,000 certificate holders use their firearms and shotguns responsibly for lawful recreation or as essential tools for work," Freeman said.

"But they are faced with a postcode lottery in the service they receive from firearms and explosive licensing units."

The government said it would consider the report's recommendations as part of wider police reforms.

A Home Office spokesperson said the UK had "some of the toughest firearms laws in the world" and highlighted recent changes including mandatory medical checks and new national police training.

Luke Pollard, MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, said lessons needed to be learned from the killings in Keyham - which is part of his constituency - to prevent similar events.

"For five years, I've been campaigning with the Keyham families to strengthen Britain's gun laws," he said.

"I am encouraged that HMICFRS is echoing our proposal to completely overhaul firearms licensing legislation.

"Public safety must come first. I will continue to campaign and work with ministers in parliament for these proposals to become law."

Mark Edwards, a committee member at the National Firearms Association, said the current legislation was "dated, complicated and open for misinterpretation".

"I fully agree it needs to be reviewed and should have been done 10 years ago," he said.

However, Edwards said the legislation was "robust" in terms of who could hold a firearm.

Devon and Cornwall Police Assistant Chief Constable Nikki Leaper said the force welcomed the findings from the inspection.

"While the force was not one of those engaged with by the inspectorate, we continue to ensure that the granting of firearms licences across Devon and Cornwall is undertaken with the utmost diligence," Leaper said.

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