News
Useful Links
The following links lead to the principal documents or legislation which impact upon firearms licensing. Should you have any queries about the information in the websites, don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and call the SACS office…
A New Website!
Welcome to the new SACS website! This site reflects many changes we’re making at SACS at the moment, and we hope that in the coming months it will grow to better reflect your needs as members. We’ve moved many of our best blog articles over to the News section of this site, but we’re also working to produce new material on important issues like General Licences, Firearms Law and policy issues which impact on your day-to-day…
Northern Ireland Update
IMPORTANT - Update on temporary closure of the PSNI online firearms application system. Further to our initial announcement on the planned downtime, BASC and our partner organisations have been advised that the downtime has now been pushed back several weeks. The online site will now close at the later date of 28th March until 10th April 2022. We have also been advised that the website closure will not extend beyond 2 weeks…
Northern Ireland Firearms Licensing Suspended
SACS and partner organisations were informed during a recent meeting with PSNI Firearms and Explosives Branch (FEB) that the PSNI’s online firearms application system will be offline for two weeks to allow for essential work. The shutdown is to facilitate the installation of a new internal Firearms Management System, which is due to go live on 7 March, but for this to happen seamlessly, it will be necessary for FEB to perform a full shutdown of their current system…
Updates on the Licensing Application Process
During November and December 2022, the Home Office published two updates to the Guide on Firearms Licensing Law. One was the long awaited statutory guidance, and the second was an update in respect of the remaining non statutory guidance…
Home Office Firearms Guidance
The Home Office published on 13 December 2021 a fully revised version of the non-statutory firearms guidance Firearms licensing law - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) which includes all of the legislative changes that have been made since April 2016. This guidance should be read alongside the…
Bisley at Braidwood
The anticipation and excitement when you first pull in to Bisley is a feeling like no other. Like the first day of school when you don’t know anyone. We gather around in the café and get put in to your groups and head off out with Eric. Having never used a shotgun, I was honestly clueless. We headed out to the first 25 shot practice where we all stood back not wanting to go first…
Firearms: Statutory Guidance
During 2013 and 2014 there was significant discussion within those involved in the management of the licensing of firearms in the UK to have guidance codified, that is legislated, in an effort to achieve a consistency of approach in firearms licensing decision making…
Deadline Approaches for Antique Firearms Law Change
The UK Government has issued the following press release in respect of the impending changes to the law in respect of antique firearms. Given the change coming into effect on 22 September 2021, if you are affected and have not taken any action yet, please contact your local firearms licensing department for advice. This change will affect…
Medcert
Since 1 April 2016, the General Practitioners (GPs) form has been a requirement to be completed when applying for either the grant or renewal of a firearm or shotgun certificate. Born out of several critical incident reviews when certificate holders used their guns to commit homicides…
Aim to Sustain
Nine rural organisations formerly known as the Shoot Liaison Committee have announced the launch of an exciting new partnership called Aim to Sustain to promote the multitude of conservation and community benefits from game shooting.
The nine bodies are: Countryside Alliance, British Game Alliance, British Association for Shooting and Conservation, Country Land & Business Association, Game Farmers’ Association, Moorland Association, National Gamekeepers’ Organisation, Scottish Land and Estates and the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust
Guntrader Website Database Breach
We are aware of a suspected breach of gun advertising website Guntrader's user database. A large volume of names, addresses, telephone numbers and some GPS location data appears to have been stolen via hacking. Although no certificate details appear to have been compromised, the majority of the subscribers are likely to be certificated shooters. The website in question has confirmed they are looking into the …
Trichinella Testing
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has published revised guidance for trichinella testing of UK feral wild boar. The revision makes the process of sampling for trichinella clearer, with additional graphics and images on how…
Game Dealers’ Lead Ammunition Statement
The National Game Dealers Association has voted to commit to sourcing all feather and fur game as well as venison and wild boar from lead-free supply chains from 1st July 2022. This is to future proof the sale of Game meat…
Lead Update
At SACS, we recognise that the traditional world of shooting with lead ammunition is changing. Consumer led, environmental and political challenges in Europe and the UK will likely result in the statutory replacement of some types of lead ammunition, such as lead shot, to non-toxic alternatives in the relatively short years to come…
PSNI Firearm Magazines
Yesterday evening, SACS, Country Sports Ireland, Countryside Alliance Ireland and BASC NI had a constructive meeting with PSNI FEB, Justice Department, Patsy McGlone MLA, Mervyn Storey (NI Policing Board), Jim McAllister (QC), head of FEB Jonathan Howarth and Superintendent Sam Donaldson…
Legal Expenses Insurance
SACS is a not for profit membership organisation. It represents members’ interests in policy areas such as shooting laws, wildlife management, firearms licensing, etc. It is a voice which is heard. It also seeks out best value for its members. And when challenges arise in respect of firearms licensing, it provides a highly competent advocacy service in an effort to resolve challenges…
Shooting Tax Nonsense
'The Ferret' has published an article based on 'research' conducted by Scottish Greens MSP Andy Wightman on Shooting Rates and how it is apparently wrong for there to be a shooting rates exemption - known as Small Business Bonus Scheme (SBBS) - available for small businesses and landholdings. Sounds daft? Then read on…
Update on General Licences
After an enormous amount of genuine and effective engagement from Defra, which SACS and many of our partner organisations enthusiastically fed in to via seminars, briefings and panel consultations, Defra have today published their new General Licences for 2021…