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Original poster

Shotgun License

30 replies

India4 · 29/12/2025 21:51

I am considering taking up shooting as a hobby, something I have wanted to do for years…I have tried obtaining a shotgun license app form from PO but they don’t keep them…can anyone suggest where I could obtain one from.

Thankyou All as always.

OP posts:
mumofoneAloneandwell · 29/12/2025 21:53
Funny Moment Trying Not To Laugh GIF

Sat 👀👀

KurtCobainLover · 29/12/2025 21:53

I’m not sure if this helps

www.gov.uk/find-licences/shotgun-and-firearm-certificates

Crystallllll · 29/12/2025 21:55

Clearly bored. Anything else you want to know?

Egglio · 29/12/2025 21:57

If you don't know about Google, Chat GPT is going to blow your mind.

CarefullyCuratedFurniture · 29/12/2025 21:58

If you go to a clay shooting school, or a friend with shotguns and land, or a commercial shoot, they'll tell you EXACTLY what you have to do to get your licence. Have you ever been to a shoot? You don't need to get a licence before you start shooting.

Serencwtch · 29/12/2025 21:59

Does the post office supply paper forms for anything these days? Thought it all went online about 20 years ago.

Remember collecting paper forms for my first provisional.driving license lol

For shooting you'll need to join a club first.

Unless you're a gamekeeper or a farmer, clay is much more fun & by far a better hobby.

Original poster
India4 · 30/12/2025 10:44

Crystallllll · 29/12/2025 21:55

Clearly bored. Anything else you want to know?

on the contrary I clearly asked a simple question? Which Google had provided an incorrect answer to!

I presume your obvious boredom was relieved by being a keyboard warrior! How many others are you rude too?.

OP posts:
timeserved · 30/12/2025 11:34

I thought shotgun licenses and FACs were managed by the police? Try there?

wombat1a · 30/12/2025 11:54

Local police website is the place to look. Certificates are issued by them.

Original poster
India4 · 30/12/2025 12:07

KurtCobainLover · 29/12/2025 21:53

Thankyou I appreciate this

OP posts:
Original poster
India4 · 30/12/2025 12:07

wombat1a · 30/12/2025 11:54

Local police website is the place to look. Certificates are issued by them.

Many thanks for this info.

OP posts:
Original poster
India4 · 30/12/2025 12:07

wombat1a · 30/12/2025 11:54

Local police website is the place to look. Certificates are issued by them.

Thankyou.

OP posts:
fairislecable · 30/12/2025 12:17

It’s not just a matter of filling in a form, the police will interview you in your own home.

They want to know how and when you will use the gun, where it will be stored and transported.

We had to have a gun safe fitted, locks inspected and safe storage of ammunition away from where the guns are stored.

I think there is also medical reference required.

If you want to get into shooting definitely join a gun club and try out different guns before buying your own.

GettingBlamed · 30/12/2025 12:19

fairislecable · 30/12/2025 12:17

It’s not just a matter of filling in a form, the police will interview you in your own home.

They want to know how and when you will use the gun, where it will be stored and transported.

We had to have a gun safe fitted, locks inspected and safe storage of ammunition away from where the guns are stored.

I think there is also medical reference required.

If you want to get into shooting definitely join a gun club and try out different guns before buying your own.

I found it very strange they only want a medical check and background checks on the applicant and not other adults in the home. I think that’s something that needs to be tightened up.

pixiemummy01 · 30/12/2025 12:24

A medical certificate is a must approx £100, I had to acquire a medical certificate for an acquire and keep explosive certificate

YellowPixie · 30/12/2025 12:24

And it's a licence, not a license.

notimagain · 30/12/2025 12:26

GettingBlamed · 30/12/2025 12:19

I found it very strange they only want a medical check and background checks on the applicant and not other adults in the home. I think that’s something that needs to be tightened up.

Show quote history

Be interesting to hear from a licence holder but I believe the theory is only the licence holder should have access to the weapons, hence (?) no checks on the rest of the family...and if police discover another family member has had access to the weapons the licence holder loses their ticket pretty much instantly.

GettingBlamed · 30/12/2025 12:31

notimagain · 30/12/2025 12:26

Be interesting to hear from a licence holder but I believe the theory is only the licence holder should have access to the weapons, hence (?) no checks on the rest of the family...and if police discover another family member has had access to the weapons the licence holder loses their ticket pretty much instantly.

Show quote history

I understand this perspective and ideally yes that should absolutely be the case that nobody else has access. I just think personally there should be checks on all adults at any address just in case .

Miranda65 · 30/12/2025 12:31

Only the person named on the certificate is allowed access. So the keys to the gun cabinet must be well-hidden from the rest of the household.
It seems to be a recent development, but the applicant's partner will/may also be questioned about whether they have any concerns over the issue/renewal of a certificate.
You will also need two referees (not family members).

It's a very thorough process, and can take about 3 months to complete.

Original poster
India4 · 30/12/2025 14:48

timeserved · 30/12/2025 11:34

I thought shotgun licenses and FACs were managed by the police? Try there?

Thankyou

OP posts:
BohoGarden · 30/12/2025 14:51

Why don't you go along to a local gun club and meet some people, ask some questions?

Scrowy · 30/12/2025 14:56

It's via your local police force - many have humongous waiting lists though even for people who already have their licence and just need to renew.

They come to your house and you need to have a secure gun cabinet which is fixed to an internal wall in the dwelling (can't be in an outhouse/shed) and separate storage for ammunition. The keys have to be unaccessible to others.

You need a certificate from your GP and references from 2 non related people and some passport photos.

Our force will only accept applications/renewals online via a link they send after you request it.

TheSnootiestFox · 30/12/2025 15:35

notimagain · 30/12/2025 12:26

Be interesting to hear from a licence holder but I believe the theory is only the licence holder should have access to the weapons, hence (?) no checks on the rest of the family...and if police discover another family member has had access to the weapons the licence holder loses their ticket pretty much instantly.

Show quote history

My other half renewed his licence in August and for the first time the police rang me and asked me if I'd ever been scared of him having a gun and asked about the general state of our relationship. He quoted the number of women shot by their partners every year (I can't remember it now) and said they were now interviewing applicants' partners to try and prevent this. Interestingly I'm not sure if they're interviewing male partners of applicants too.....

If you need anything else OP just yell as we've been through the process fairly recently.

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