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<p>While the UK has some of the toughest firearms legislation in the world, we keep
these controls under constant review to ensure they support public safety. In recent
years we have taken action on firearms in the Offensive Weapons Act 2019, tightened
controls on antique weapons, consulted on further changes to support firearms safety,
tightened restrictions on registered firearms dealers, and introduced Statutory Guidance
to Chief Officers of Police on firearms licensing. We have no plans though to introduce
changes to the age at which someone can own a firearm legally.</p><p>Police forces
are responsible for issuing firearm and shotgun certificates. A certificate will only
be granted after the application has been carefully assessed and a number of checks
completed, including medical checks, to ensure that the certificate holder does not
pose a risk to themselves or the wider public.</p><p>We have taken steps to strengthen
these arrangements by issuing Statutory Guidance for the police on firearms licencing,
to ensure greater consistency and improved standards across all police forces.</p><p>The
Statutory Guidance, which came into effect on 1 November 2021, not only sets out the
checks that must be undertaken at the time of application, but it also requires the
police to maintain continuous assessment of certificate holders. The police have the
power to revoke certificates and seize the holder’s shotguns or firearms if they assess
that there is a risk to public safety. We are keeping the Statutory Guidance under
review, and will strengthen it further, if circumstances so require.</p>
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