The British Shooting Sports Council

The National Police Chiefs' Council has published its firearms licensing figures for the first quarter of 2026/27, and the Council has compared the figures against the preceding five quarters.

The headline picture is one of continuity rather than change. National service level aspiration performance edged down again, from 70.67% to 70.21%, the fourth consecutive quarterly dip. 

Temporary permit issuance continues to climb faster than any other measure in the dataset, up 11.5% on the previous quarter to 3,449, and up 83% over the five quarters reviewed. The Council remains concerned that the rise in issuance of permits reflects licensing departments under stress.

The certificate-holder base also continued its steady decline, down 2.8% since Q3 2025/26.

This release is also the first to report grants and renewals separately, confirming a concern the Council has raised previously: a single blended SLA figure can mask much slower performance on new applications than on renewals. 

The data may be found here:

https://www.npcc.police.uk/SysSiteAssets/media/downloads/publications/publications-log/operations/2026/2026-27-q1-firearms-licensing-data.pdf

The British Shooting Sports Council
London, WC1N 3XX
Landline: +44 (0)203 6030103
Email: secretary@bssc.org.uk
Web: www.bssc.org.uk
The Council is a founding member of the World Forum on Shooting Activities (WFSA) and a NGO in Roster Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations
Constituent Associations: APSI, BASC, CPSA, CA, DWA, FCSA, GTA, HBSA, ICSI, MLAGB, NGO, NRA, NSRA, SAGBNI, UKPSA, VAA.

Crime and Policing Act 2026 – Changes to the Licensing of Sound Moderators

The relevant provisions of the Crime and Policing Act 2026 have now come into force, bringing about a significant and welcome change to the law relating to sound moderators.

Previously, a sound moderator capable of being fitted to a firearm requiring a firearm certificate had to be specifically authorised. The new legislation removes sound moderators (and flash hiders) from the definition of a firearm for these purposes. As a result, they are no longer subject to separate certification or variation requirements. Anyone who may lawfully possess the firearm to which a moderator is intended to be fitted may now acquire and possess a suitable moderator without the need for a separate authority on their certificate.

Please see below in the Useful Information section for detailed guidance. 

The British Shooting Sports Council
London, WC1N 3XX
Landline: +44 (0)203 6030103
Email: secretary@bssc.org.uk
Web: www.bssc.org.uk
The Council is a founding member of the World Forum on Shooting Activities (WFSA) and a NGO in Roster Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations
Constituent Associations: APSI, BASC, CPSA, CA, DWA, FCSA, GTA, HBSA, ICSI, MLAGB, NGO, NRA, NSRA, SAGBNI, UKPSA, VAA.