UK firearms licensing reform
The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), the Countryside Alliance, and the National Gamekeepers Organisation initiated legal proceedings on April 3, 2026, seeking judicial review of the Home Secretary's decisions regarding firearms licensing reforms in the UK. As of July 6, 2026, new firearms licensing fees are scheduled for implementation on June 4, 2026, and a preliminary hearing has been held concerning ongoing legal and legislative developments. The Countryside Alliance declared the government's proposed consultation on aligning shotgun and firearms licensing an "existential and generational threat to shooting" on April 8, 2026. These actions follow the government's launch of a review of firearms licensing laws and strengthened guidance in August 2025, prompted by a coroner's Prevention of Future Deaths report issued February 10, 2026, after the inquest into Samuel Dickinson's death.
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July 2026 — 1 developments
UK Firearms Licensing Fees Set for June 4 Implementation Amid Legal Hearings
New firearms licensing fees are scheduled to be implemented on June 4, 2026, following ongoing discussions and implemented changes to UK gun license laws. A preliminary hearing was also held regarding the Secretary of State for Justice and others, concerning these ongoing legal and legislative developments.
April 2026 — 6 developments
Countryside Alliance calls shotgun and firearms licensing alignment an "existential threat"
The Countryside Alliance has declared the government's proposed consultation on aligning shotgun and firearms licensing a "existential and generational threat to shooting." This statement comes amid ongoing reviews and debates surrounding UK firearms licensing laws.
Mims Davies MP states government to consider coroner's report on firearms licensing
Mims Davies MP stated the government will carefully consider a coroner's Prevention of Future Deaths report, issued February 10, 2026, which highlighted gaps in firearms licensing legislation after the inquest into Samuel Dickinson's death. This follows strengthened guidance for police on firearms licensing announced in August 2025.
BASC, Countryside Alliance, and National Gamekeepers Organisation initiate legal challenge against Home Secretary's firearms licensing reforms
The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), the Countryside Alliance, and the National Gamekeepers Organisation have initiated legal proceedings seeking judicial review of the Home Secretary's decisions regarding firearms licensing reforms. These organizations argue that the proposed changes may unfairly impact lawful firearm ownership and are concerned about public safety. The outcomes of these legal challenges are pending and could influence future firearms legislation.
UK government strengthens firearms licensing guidance, increasing shotgun certificate referees
The UK government strengthened firearms licensing guidance in August 2025, increasing the number of referees for shotgun certificates from one to two and providing new advice to referees. The guidance also enhances how police consider suspected domestic abuse or other violence when assessing firearm license applications.
UK government launches review of firearms licensing laws
The UK government has launched a review of firearms licensing laws, including a consultation on aligning shotgun and firearm licensing controls. This review follows concerns raised about potential gaps in legislation regarding the self-reporting of medical or mental health conditions by license holders.
Cross-party MPs oppose merging shotgun and firearms licensing regimes
Cross-party MPs debated and expressed opposition to merging shotgun and firearms licensing regimes in February 2026. Concerns were raised that such a merger could strain police resources and might not significantly improve public safety.
February 2026 — 6 developments
Parliament Debates Firearms Licensing Reform Following Public Petition
A parliamentary debate on firearms licensing reform occurred on February 23, 2026, spurred by a petition with over 120,000 signatures. The government is also consulting on potential changes to the gun ownership licensing system, which could involve merging shotgun and firearm licenses.
Coroner warns gun law gaps could lead to more deaths after farmer's suicide
Following the suicide of farmer Samuel Dickinson, a coroner has warned that gaps in gun legislation could lead to more deaths. New details reveal that individuals with gun licenses are not required to report changes in their mental health, unlike those with driving licenses, and GPs are not obligated to record firearms licenses on medical records. A Prevention of Future Deaths report has been issued to the Home Office and Department for Health and Social Care.
UK Government Strengthens Firearms Licensing Guidance After Coroner's Concerns
The UK government has announced strengthened guidance for firearms licensing, aiming to enhance public safety. This action follows concerns raised by a coroner regarding potential gaps in existing laws, highlighted by the inquest into Samuel Dickinson's death. The updated guidance is intended to address these identified risks and prevent future tragedies.
Mirror raises urgent concerns over UK gun licence laws after inquest
Urgent concerns were raised by the Mirror newspaper following the inquest into Samuel Dickinson's death, focusing on the potential inadequacies of current UK gun licence laws. The report highlighted the coroner's warning that further deaths could occur if legislative action is not taken.
Coroner issues prevention of future deaths report to Home Office and DHSC
An inquest at Bolton Coroner's Court concluded Samuel Dickinson's death was suicide. Manchester West Area Coroner Michael Pemberton issued a prevention of future deaths report to the Home Office and Department for Health and Social Care, highlighting claimed gaps in UK law around gun licenses and stating that 'a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken'.
Coroner issues 'Prevention of Future Deaths' report over UK firearms legislation gaps
A 'Prevention of Future Deaths' report has been issued following the suicide of farmer Samuel Dickinson, highlighting perceived gaps in UK firearms legislation. The coroner noted concerns that future deaths could occur due to the requirement for license holders to report changes in mental health. The report has been sent to the Home Office and Department for Health and Social Care.
September 2025 — 2 developments
Tributes paid to Samuel Dickinson, remembered as 'the absolute best' and 'local farmer and friend to many'
Following Samuel Dickinson's death, tributes were paid on social media, remembering him as 'the absolute best' and a 'local farmer and friend to many'. The annual Haigh Aspull and Blackrod Christmas Tractor Run later raised money in his memory.
Farmer Samuel Dickinson found dead from shotgun wound on his farm
Samuel Dickinson, a 39-year-old farmer who held both a firearms and shotgun license, was found dead with a shotgun wound to the head in a shed on his farm. His family had alerted police after discovering a shotgun was missing from the gun cabinet. The medical cause of death was a head injury sustained in the incident.