Application for a shotgun certificate

The 'Application for a Shotgun Certificate' form is available by contacting the Firearms and Explosives Licensing Department.

Return the completed form to:

Firearms and Explosives Licensing Department
North Yorkshire Police
Police Headquarters
Newby Wiske Hall
Northallerton
North Yorkshire,
DL7 9HA

Guidance Notes When Applying For A Shotgun Certificate

1.    Fees
The Fee for the grant of a firearm certificate is £50. Cheques should be made payable to North Yorkshire Police. But, if you are applying for a shotgun certificate at the same time or already hold a shotgun certificate, see item 2 below.

2.    Coterminous certificates
If you are applying for the grant or renewal of a shotgun certificate and you already hold a firearm certificate, you can save money in the long term by requesting that both certificates expire on the same date (ie made co-terminous). If you require your shotgun certificate to expire at the same time as your firearm certificate tick yes to question 21b on the shotgun application form.  Future renewals of your shotgun certificate will be at the reduced fee on £10.

3.    Countersignatories
The countersignatory must be one of the class of persons identified in Part D on the back of the application form. The term 'person of similar standing' include persons whose names can be found in a public book of reference including members of professional bodies (such as architects, accountants, surveyors), persons who hold, or have held, a regular commission in Her Majesty's Forces or who are qualified teachers in recognised schools. An applicant's employer may also sign if it is a well-established business and the applicant is well known to him. Members of your immediate family (ie mother, father, son, daughter, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, grandparent and mother/father/brother/sister-in-law) are not acceptable. Cousins are not regarded as immediate family but co-habiting partners should be considered as family. Registered firearm dealers, serving police officers and police employees cannot act as countersignatories.

4.    Previous Convictions
All previous convictions must be declared on the applications form. It is an offence under Section 28A(7) of the Firearms Act 1968-1997 to make a false declaration when answering this question. It is not permitted to withhold any previous convictions by virtue of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (see note 4 on the application form). If the exact dates cannot be remembered give an approximations as well as the nature of the offence.

5.    Shotguns
A shotgun is defined as a smooth-bore gun (not being an air gun) which:

  • Has a barrel not less than 24 inches in length and does not have any barrel with a bore exceeding 2 inches in diameter.
  • Either has no magazine or has a fixed magazine not holding more than two cartridges and
  • Is not a revolver gun.

Shotguns not within this definition require a firearms certificate.

6.    Antiques
The following types of guns are generally regarded as antiques and, as such, do not require a certificate provided that they are not fired, if they are fired then exemption for a certificate ceases.

  • All original muzzle loading firearms made before 1939.
  • Breech loading firearms for rim-fire cartridges exceeding .23Inch calibre, or their metric equivalent.
  • Breech loading firearms using ignition systems other than rim-fire or centre fire, including pin fire, needle fire and contemporary transitional ignition systems.
  • Breech loading firearms and shotguns originally chambered for obsolete cartridges.

These definitions are not exhaustive. If in doubt. please refer to the Firearms Law: Guidance to the Police 2002 or contact the Firearms and Explosives Licensing Department.

7.    European Firearms Passes (EFP)
If you intend to take firearms or shotguns to another EC country you require a European Firearms Pass. Firearms and shotguns are listed on the same Pass. The EFP is valid to the date of whichever of your certificates expires first. There is no fee for this service. Should you require an EFP, please contact the Firearms and Explosives Licensing Department.

8.    Processing your application
Once your application is received a number of routine checks are conducted. You will then be contacted by a Firearms Enquiry Officer (FEO)who will arrange an appointment to visit you to discuss the security of your guns and any other queries that you may have. All Firearms Enquiry Officers carry identification cards. Full details of how to contact your FEO can be found through this link - Contact details.