Introduction
Put simply, a drug is any substance that alters how the body or more importantly, the mind functions.
With this in mind I don’t think it’s controversial to say that illicit drug use and safe firearm ownership are not compatible.
But what does the law say and how should police decide on whether to conduct any test?
This guide covers the legal basis for drug testing, when it may be applied, and what to expect if you’re asked to undergo one.
The Law
A key principle of Firearms Licensing is the idea of danger to public safety or the peace. It is mentioned throughout legislation both in terms of grant, refusal and revocation of certificates.
In brief; it is defined as:
A danger to public safety or the peace exists if the applicant’s ownership of the firearm could result in harm to self or others or disturb good order in public.
The Guidance
Statutory Guidance (Aug ’25) directs police as to the checks that they should make in order to ensure that there is no danger to public safety. Within this document “additional non-routine checks” are detailed as follows:
2.55 Chief officers should carry out additional, non-routine, checks if, following the initial enquiries above, they believe them to be necessary to assess suitability fully.
Factors that merit the carrying out of additional checks will depend on the circumstances of each individual case. Police forces are responsible for determining when additional checks should be undertaken.
2.56 More generally, these checks may include, but are not limited to:
a drug or alcohol test
The critical parts are:
- These tests are not routine
- The need for them should be assessed on the individual circumstances
- Police are responsible for deciding when additional checks should be undertaken.
The Practical Considerations
When the need for these checks is determined solely by the police it raises concerns about consistency and fairness in application.
There are two ways in which police might choose to apply these tests:
- Police issue tests – Usually used for drug driving.
- Independent testing – Where you are required to provide a sample to an independent laboratory for testing.
The independent laboratory option gives you reassurance that the test will be conducted in scientific conditions but they will charge you somewhere between £350 and £550 dependent on the type of test.
Note – Costs vary depending on the number of substances tested and whether segmented analysis is required.
In Conclusion
Illicit drug use is not prevalent in the shooting community.
Guidance emphasises that these tests are not routine and their use should be decided on the basis of individual circumstances.
Refusing a test doesn’t automatically lead to revocation but it’s essential to understand your rights and the reasoning behind the request.
If you find yourself being required to complete such a test you are well within your rights to ask for an explanation as to why the test is necessary.
Only once you have received this explanation should you decide whether to comply.
In any case it is time to contact us via this link and get support from the experts.
