Your time, money, and energy are better spent shooting.
Traditional, personal customer service backed up by modern tools which put expert advice at your fingertips 24/7.
We’re here to make licensing clearer, fairer, and more accessible.
Explore the website, use the app, send a WhatsApp – or speak to a real person who can help:
📞 07586 194458 📞
If we can’t answer straight away, leave a message. We always call back.
Chris Downs, creator of firearmslicensing.net, has over 25 years of frontline and specialist policing experience, including senior roles in Firearms Operations.
As Firearms Licensing Manager for the Metropolitan Police, he oversaw 30,000 certificate holders, 80 Home Office clubs, and 170 registered dealers, and helped shape national policy.
As a Subject Matter Expert at the College of Policing, Chris continued to lead national improvements in firearms licensing—developing training, tools, and guidance—until recently resigning from the service.
While in post as National Subject Matter Expert he saw evidence of poor practice and injustice. The system itself had lost sight of it’s purpose and no longer followed the evidence base.
He created firearmslicensing.net to equip certificate holders and applicants with the knowledge they need—offering clear guidance, practical tools, and expert insight to help people understand their rights, navigate the system, and avoid unnecessary issues, especially refusals or revocations.
The platform is designed to demystify the licensing process, highlight common pitfalls, and empower users to present their cases confidently and correctly.
A quick read to summarise the recently announced Home Office position on sound moderators.
Cancellations hide thousands of firearms applications from scrutiny. They aren’t a statutory outcome, they’re not reported to the Home Office, not counted in national stats, and not monitored by any oversight body.
Provides an overview of how firearms certificate holders can navigate the renewal process, particularly in the event of delays. It explains the legal framework, statutory…
A review of police land checks in firearms licensing, highlighting inconsistencies, limited value, and lack of training—arguing for a more evidence-based, risk-led approach aligned with guidance and case law.
When Ahmed faced silence after a forced surrender, our Essentials guidance equipped him to escalate complaints, challenge poor practice, and support his friend with confidence.
The UK’s firearms licensing system is complex but vital—balancing public safety with lawful shooting. This guide helps you navigate with clarity, confidence, and legal insight.
If we could redesign firearms licensing from scratch, what would it look like? This bold rethink proposes a digital, consistent, and safety-focused system—leaving behind the legacy patchwork for a smarter future.
You can cancel a firearm or shotgun certificate application at any time. This won’t count as a refusal and entitles you to a refund—just be sure the decision is informed, not pressured
Robert’s shotgun certificate application was lost for 18 months. Our advocacy located it, secured progress, and restored his confidence. Proving persistence and fairness can overcome administrative failings.
Guest Author, Barrister Conor Monighan tells us how to avoid refusals and rejection —get your application right first time. Disclose fully, seek guidance, and understand the consequences of false or reckless statements.
Guidance for lawful shooters on how to handle encounters with police in the field—covering preparation, communication, officer expectations, and how to stay calm, safe, and professional during any stop or check
Explores calibre considerations in firearms licensing. The often-seen Police focus on calibre risks hitting the target but missing the point.
and coming soon… a host of other member benefits.
Spend a little time improving your knowledge to ensure you avoid common issues and get the best result from your Force.
If problems arise then this smart search platform puts all the required knowledge at your fingertips 24/7.
Consider the different member options summarised below and select the best option for your needs.
Further detailed information on these packages is provided on the “About us” page found by following this link.
Please note, we deliberately keep the personal information we hold to an absolute minimum and make the signup process as simple as possible.
The smart search platform and navigation menu allows you to cut through the complexities and easily find answers.
This is backed up by the option for personal consultation in more complex / protracted cases.
Bearing in mind the possible breadth and depth of the issues encountered we encourage your suggestions for further content and run regular competitions for the best.
Spend a little time improving your knowledge to ensure you avoid common issues.
If problems arise then this platform puts all the required knowledge at your fingertips 24/7.
The 3 simple steps below save you time, money and effort which will be better spent on your shooting.
Consider the different member options summarised below and select the best option for your needs.
Further detailed information on these packages is provided on the “About us” page found by following this link.
Please note, we deliberately keep the personal information we hold to an absolute minimum and make the signup process as simple as possible.
The smart search platform and navigation menu allows you to cut through the complexities and easily find answers.
This is backed up by the option for personal consultation in more complex / protracted cases.
Bearing in mind the possible breadth and depth of the issues encountered we encourage your suggestions for further content and run regular competitions for the best.
I wanted some advice regarding historic health matters and how this would affect my FAC & SGC renewal.
I spoke to Chris and was so glad I did. He was extremely knowledgeable about the legislation, but on top of that, very reassuring.
He’s very compassionate and clearly loves what he does.
The offer of help and advice at any point is worth its weight in gold.
Chris has provided invaluable advice and support in my efforts to obtain a new firearms license after my previous one had lapsed several years ago.
He has deep knowledge and understanding of the law and how to navigate the firearm licensing process.
I urge anyone who has questions about obtaining a license or needs advice to reach out to Chris.
Thanks for your time today and the clarity that you gave me around the application process.
I think that what you are doing is really relevant and important for our community
We live in a world where so few people take pride in their work. That’s definitely not an accusation that can be thrown at you!
The support I received from the team was phenomenal. The timescales were realistic and met above and beyond my initial expectations.
Thank you for being so straightforward!!!
Super professional. Super Supportive. Written in a way that will really help the community. 5 mins reading and I’d found the answer
There is a desperate need for this site. Very specific knowledge and understanding of a very complicated and nuanced area. The ease of accessing what you require and having it presented in an understandable manner is possibly one of the sites strongest point.
This app provides clear and concise advice from someone who has worked within the system for many years and what’s more? It’s a written in a clear and straightforward style that makes it easy to comprehend. I can’t recommend firearmslicensing.net highly enough.
I’m so glad I’ve finally found this resource. I’ve tried reading the government guidance and like a lot of those documents, the number of linguistic somersaults and contradictions leave one totally confused. I’ve now got an expert in my pocket 24/7.
