UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Labour faces pressure as farmers and shooting groups warn proposed shotgun and rifle licensing changes could harm rural businesses and jobs.
As reported by The Telegraph, Labour’s plan to reform gun ownership has been branded the most serious threat to shooting in a generation.
MPs and shooting associations warn that proposed changes to gun licensing could hit rural industries, coming at a time when farmers are strained under government tax measures.
What are the planned changes to shotgun and rifle licences?
The government is planning new firearms rules, merging shotgun licences with rifles, which come with stricter controls on where and how much ammunition can be used.
The proposed changes will include raising the number of referees required for shotgun licences and updating police guidance, amid concerns over guns being kept in homes in towns and cities.
What did critics say about the Government’s gun licensing plans?
Critics warned the new gun licensing proposals would burden rural communities with red tape, delays, and higher costs for shooting sports. The measures follow last year’s Budget cuts to inheritance tax relief for farmers and family businesses.
Tim Bonner, head of the Countryside Alliance, which advocates for farmers and rural firms, said,
“The Labour Party are shooting the wrong fox. They should be addressing the complexities of the system.”
He stated,
“There are 43 separate firearms licensing bodies in the UK. You don’t go to your local police to get a licence for your car. You don’t go to get a licence for anything else. This is the biggest threat to shooting in a generation.”
Earlier this year, Mr Bonner said,
“The government is coming for shotguns. Even though I predicted it I can’t quite believe Labour is already picking another fight with the countryside.”
Mr Bonner added,
“Legitimate gun owners are committed to robust licensing and we have consistently worked with government on issues like medical checks and mental health to improve the system. These new proposals, however, are draconian and unreasonable.”
He continued,
“They also create a whole new political challenge in the relationship between Labour and the countryside. However much ministers deny it a lot of people will see this as part of a wider anti-rural agenda.”
The Conservative MP for Mid Norfolk, George Freeman, said changes risked unemployment for gamekeepers and the closure of local rural businesses, including pubs and hotels used by shooting parties.
He said,
“Whether intended or not, this feels like yet another attack on our rural way of life. I am calling on the Government to think again.”
Mr Freeman added,
“Having grown up on a local family farm – beating and shooting on our family shoot – and as a long-standing BASC member and strong supporter of country sports, I am fully aligned with BASC in opposing any proposal to merge the shotgun and firearms licensing systems.”
GunsOnPegs, an online shooting marketplace, described the plans as potentially “damaging for the rural economy.”
What did the Home Office say about shotgun licensing changes?
A Home Office spokesman said,
“The consultation on shotgun licensing is not about making life harder for those in rural communities but about protecting the public.”
They added,
“A future consultation will look at whether changes to shotgun licensing are necessary. We will consider all the evidence, including that from rural communities, to make the most informed decision.”
Commenting on the matter in February, the Home Office said,
“Protecting the public is our priority and it is right that we keep legislation on firearms under constant review and make changes whenever necessary.”
It added,
“We know that the delays within the firearms system can be burdensome for farming communities and the recent increase in fees will be used directly to make improvements for its users.”
What sparked the review of gun ownership regulations?
The gun ownership proposals come after the 2021 Plymouth incident, in which a shooter with a clay-pigeon licence killed five people.
The 2023 public consultation found that shotguns are no less lethal than other firearms, suggesting calls to treat their licences like rifles. The Home Office plans to launch another consultation on gun licensing, but no formal statement has been released.
There are around 526,000 shotgun certificate holders in Britain, compared with 147,000 rifle licence holders. Shotguns have a much shorter range than rifles. A rifle round can travel over a mile, compared with shotgun pellets that reach only a few hundred metres.
