Sign the Petition Against Merging Section 1 and 2 Firearms Licenses
11-Dec-2025
Mark Eves
The Petition Against Merging Section 1 and 2 Firearms Licenses refers to an online UK Parliament petition (ID 750236) launched on November 10, 2025, calling on the government not to converge Section 2 shotgun licensing with the stricter Section 1 firearm regulations. It argues that keeping the systems separate would protect law-abiding owners, the shooting industry, and rural communities by avoiding unnecessary bureaucracy, delays, and costs without enhancing public safety.
As of December 11, 2025, the petition has gathered 188 signatures, primarily from the UK, and remains open for signing until it reaches thresholds for government response (10,000) or debate (100,000). It highlights concerns over the government's 2025 proposals to align licensing, stemming from post-2021 shooting incident reviews, and urges focus on real threats like illegal weapons instead.
Background & details
- The petition's action is "Do not merge section 1 & 2 regulations on firearms licenses," with background emphasising protection for responsible citizens, heritage, and livelihoods while addressing perceived overreach in policy.
- Additional details stress that merging would impose higher costs and delays without safety gains, advocating for attention to illegal guns and knife crime.
- Signature data as of December 11, 2025: 188 total, all from the United Kingdom, distributed across regions. Top regions include East of England (43 signatures) and North West (26), with key constituencies like South Suffolk (8) and Darlington (7) leading.
- The petition is under the Home Office department, with no government response yet, and is moderation-approved but not debated.
Why is the law changing?
To enhance public safety following tragedies like the 2021 Plymouth shooting, where licensing failures allowed a shotgun holder to commit crimes, prompting reviews for consistent rules across all firearms.
To align Section 2 (shotguns) with stricter Section 1 (rifles) processes, addressing inconsistencies in application and police checks, as recommended in a 2023 consultation.
To introduce tighter controls, such as requiring "good reason" for each shotgun and enhanced referee/interview requirements, announced in August 2025 to standardise licensing and reduce risks.
To respond to public and coroner concerns over past incidents, with a new consultation planned for early 2026 to formalise the merger.
How the proposed change won't affect the reasons for change
The merger won't prevent licensing failures like Plymouth, as suitability and medical checks are already similar between sections, and issues stem from inconsistent police application rather than the structure itself.
It adds bureaucracy (e.g., justifying each shotgun) without targeting real threats like illegal firearms or knife crime, which cause more harm but aren't addressed by burdening licensed owners.
Public safety gains are minimal since shotguns are involved in few crimes compared to unlicensed weapons, and the change could strain overstretched licensing systems, leading to delays rather than improvements.
It overlooks evidence-based alternatives like digitised licensing, potentially harming rural economies and shooting sports without resolving core inconsistencies in police practices.
Impacts on shotgun owners
Increased administrative burdens - Owners may need to justify each shotgun purchase, face restrictive conditions, and deal with longer processing times in an already backlogged system. Higher costs and reduced access - Potential fee hikes and requirements could discourage participation in shooting sports, affecting rural livelihoods and conservation efforts tied to game management. While aimed at safety, it risks an "exodus" from legitimate shooting without proportional benefits, as noted by groups like BASC; platforms like Rightgun.uk could see shifts in listings if ownership declines.
Important legal context (UK Firearms Law)
This petition relates to the Firearms Act 1968 and subsequent amendments:
- Section 1 covers firearms like rifles, requiring a Firearm Certificate (FAC) with "good reason" for each item, strict storage, and police approval.
- Section 2 covers shotguns, needing a Shotgun Certificate (SGC) without per-gun justification, focusing on suitability and secure storage; less stringent than Section 1.
- The proposed 2025-2026 merger would unify them under Section 1-style rules, enforceable nationwide (England, Scotland, Wales), with non-compliance risking fines, revocations, or seizures; Northern Ireland has separate systems.
- Organisations like BASC and Countryside Alliance advocate for separation, emphasising evidence over blanket changes.
Advice for owners
- Sign the petition at https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/750236 to add your voice and push for thresholds.
- Contact your MP using templates from BASC or Countryside Alliance to oppose the merger during the consultation.
- Review your certificates and join shooting groups for updates; on Rightgun.uk, connect with RFDs for advice on potential impacts.
- Advocate for reforms like digital systems to address real inefficiencies without restricting access.
Summary
The Petition Against Merging Section 1 and 2 Firearms Licenses is:
- A call to keep shotgun (Section 2) and firearm (Section 1) licensing separate, launched November 2025 with 188 signatures as of December 11, 2025.
- Driven by concerns over unnecessary burdens on law-abiding owners amid government safety proposals post-2021 incidents.
- Phased with a consultation in late 2025/early 2026, but opposed for not addressing core safety issues like illegal weapons.
- A key opportunity, sign via the Parliament link and contact MPs to support the shooting community.
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