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Firearms licensing: Shotgun certificates
Grant of a Shotgun Certificate
Shotgun certificates are the means of control and licensing for those smooth bore guns which fall into this category. A shotgun certificate differs from a firearms certificate in that it authorises the holder to have shotguns without the need of approval in respect of each individual gun.
However, Section 3(2) of the Firearms Amendment Act 1988 amends Section 28 of the 1968 Act to require that the certificate must specify the description of the shotguns to which it relates, including serial numbers, if applicable.
You need a shotgun certificate to purchase or acquire shotguns or purchase cartridges.
A shotgun certificate is not required to have cartridges in your possession.
Applying for the grant of a shotgun certificate
Applications for the grant of a shotgun certificate must be made to the Chief Officer of Police, for the area in which you reside. They must be made on the prescribed Form 103, as shown above which should be obtainable from your local police station.
In any difficulty you should contact your local Firearms Licensing Office - see "Meet the Teams".
Most of the questions on this form are straightforward, but a few have caused confusion with some applicants.
Part A includes questions 1-16 and relate to personal details:
Q4: "Other names" - Married women should include their maiden name. If you have changed your name by deed poll, then you must include your previous name here also.
Q6: Always include your full post code and home telephone number. Please note that this must be your permanent place of residence; club, business, hotels or other temporary addresses cannot be accepted.
Q12: Always include a day time telephone number so we can contact you if there is a query. It could prevent a lengthy delay.
Q14: This question often raises problems and causes delay. Please read the notes on the back of the application form relating to this question. Remember you must declare all convictions, no matter how trivial or how long ago they occurred. This even includes traffic convictions and offences committed outside the UK.
Q16: Under the Firearms Rules 1998 it is now a requirement for applicants to give permission for the police to approach their G.P. for factual details of an applicant's medical history, should it be deemed necessary.
Part B refers to storage and weapons
Q17: Relates to where you intend to store your shotguns. Although normally at your home address, it is also possible to store your shotguns with another shotgun certificate holder. If this should be the case, remember that your shotguns must be included on the other certificate holder's shotgun certificate. Similarly, if you store shotguns for someone else, for longer than 72hrs, then the details of their shotguns, must be entered on your certificate. In all cases of shotguns being stored "elsewhere", other than at your home address, the police authority that issued both certificates must be informed.
Remember that when storing shotguns, whether just your own or other certificate holders' as well, you should not exceed the storage capacity agreed with your issuing authority.