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Firearms licensing: introduction
Welcome to the web pages for the West Midlands Police Firearms Licensing Department.
On the following pages we offer advice to help you understand some of the requirements for the granting and renewal
of shotgun and firearm certificates. We also provide information on many other aspects relating to the topic of shooting, to allow you to enjoy your chosen sport safely and legally.
Firstly we must emphasise that our policy is based on ensuring that public safety is not jeopardised. Our work, including the necessary vetting of each and every applicant, inevitably takes time. Certificates authorising the legal ownership of firearms cannot be issued without proper and thorough investigation of an applicant's background. It must be understood that these steps are essential to ensuring that firearms should not fall into the wrong hands.
Notwithstanding this, every effort will be made to ensure that each application is processed with the utmost efficiency and in the shortest possible time. Applicants can assist in this matter themselves, as a large percentage of submitted paperwork is incorrect, which means applications having to be returned with consequent delays.
The following web pages are dedicated to helping you submit your application correctly first time, which will ensure that we can deal with your request without unnecessary delay.
We also offer advice and information on various topics relating to shotguns and firearms. We have tried to explain matters in plain English, without confusing the issue with too many references to Acts and Sections. It is our hope that you will find these pages interesting and informative.
Any comments you may wish to make regarding the contents of this website, or any other matter relating to firearms, can be made direct to Paul Dale (Monday to Friday during office hours)
*Most of the information featured on this website is used with permission from the Metropolitan Police website.