Firearm Statistics 2025
Your independent source for factual, up-to-date statistics on firearm licensing in the United Kingdom.
In recent years, the UK has seen a steady decline in the number of firearm (FAC) and shotgun (SGC) certificate holders. Alongside this, application rejections have increased, and the licensing process has become increasingly complex and inconsistent. FirearmStats.co.uk was created to bring clarity to these trends through accessible data, analysis, and insight.
Whether you’re a certificate holder, a journalist, a policymaker, or simply someone interested in the evolving landscape of firearms licensing in the UK, this site aims to provide clear, evidence-based information to help inform discussion and understanding.
All data drawn from Home Office verified statistics published 27 June 2024.
At a glance…
In the year ending 31 March 2024, there were:
6,809 new applications for firearm certificates, of which 94% were granted and 6% were refused (the highest proportion of new applications refused since comparable records began)
16,529 new applications for shotgun certificates, of which 94% were granted and 6% were refused (the highest proportion of new applications refused since comparable records began)
507 firearm certificates revoked, a 21% increase compared with the year ending 31 March 2023 (the highest number of firearm certificate revocations since comparable records began)
1,559 shotgun certificates revoked, a 34% increase compared with the year ending 31 March 2023 (the highest number of shotgun certificate revocations since comparable records began)
Refused Applications and Revoked Persons
Application refusal and the number of persons revoked has increased significantly.
Below shows the increase in refusal of applications and revocation of Certificates from 2020 to 2024.
| TYPE | 20/21 | 21/22 | 22/23 | 23/24 | % Increase 20-24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FAC Grant refused | 106 | 158 | 206 | 414 | 291% |
| FAC Renewal Refused | 72 | 80 | 140 | 229 | 218% |
| FAC Revocations | 306 | 385 | 418 | 507 | 66% |
| SGC Grant refused | 289 | 460 | 647 | 1072 | 271% |
| SGC Renewal Refused | 171 | 142 | 335 | 458 | 168% |
| SGC Revocations | 982 | 1075 | 1161 | 1559 | 59% |
Lowest number of shotgun certificates on issue since comparable records began
There were 495,798 shotgun certificates on issue as at 31 March 2024, a 1% decrease (-5,096) compared with 31 March 2023 (500,894).
This is the fifth consecutive year there has been a decrease and marks the lowest number of shotgun certificates on issue since comparable records began.
The number of shotgun certificates on issue had previously shown small fluctuations (between 561,000 and 582,000 over the 2015 to 2019 period).
