The argument for stronger gun licensing and regulation in the UK, by Iain Overton, Action on Armed Violence

By Iain Overton, Action on Armed Violence

The issue of gun violence in the UK is not simply one of isolated incidents or bad luck—it is a consequence of systemic flaws in the way we regulate firearms. For too long, the UK has failed to implement effective gun control policies, and the result has been a troubling rise in gun-related violence, domestic abuse, and femicide.

It’s time for a political overhaul of our approach to firearms regulation, one that prioritises public safety, transparency, and evidence-based policy.

Here AOAV – in support of the UK’s Gun Control Network – argues for a series of critical reforms, including the introduction of a comprehensive “One Gun, One Licence” system, better public consultations, more robust data collection, and a shift towards a public health model of violence prevention.

First, one of the most glaring problems is the fragmentation and inconsistency within our firearms licensing system. In the UK, shotguns are licensed under a different section of the 1968 Firearms Act compared to rifles and high-powered air weapons. This creates a two-tier system that is both confusing and ineffective. A “One Gun, One Licence” offers a solution – a simple piece of legislation that brings all lethal guns under a single licensing framework. The current approach allows individuals to own multiple shotguns under more lenient sets of regulations, despite the fact that shotguns have been involved in numerous fatal incidents and domestic abuse cases. The tragic reality is that shotguns, though often considered less lethal, are responsible for far more UK deaths and injuries than the more tightly controlled rifles and high-powered air weapons.

This problem has been exacerbated by the relative ease with which British citizens can acquire shotguns for purely recreational purposes. With over 1.5 million licensed shotguns in circulation, bringing all lethal firearms under the same robust licensing system would reduce the proliferation of dangerous weapons in private homes, where they are all too often misused during moments of personal crisis.

Licensing reform, though, is only part of the solution. The way government consults the public on matters of gun control is deeply flawed. Previous consultations have been dominated by shooting groups and police. This has led to policies that favour the interests of a small, privileged minority rather than prioritising the safety of the general public. With just 1% of the population involved in shooting activities, it’s vital that any consultation on firearms regulation includes the views of the 99% of the population who do not engage in such activities but whose safety is directly affected by gun violence.

Public consultations must be inclusive, accessible, and transparent. The Home Office should introduce shorter, user-friendly public opinion surveys alongside the formal consultation processes to capture a more representative range of voices. This approach would help balance the heavy lobby of the shooting community and ensure that gun control policies reflect the broader concerns of society.

Equally important is the need for better data collection and transparency. The UK currently lacks a centralised, detailed database on firearm-related incidents, making it impossible to develop informed policies or truly understand the scale of the problem. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) provides some data on firearm offences, but this is often too vague to be useful.

What is needed is a comprehensive, publicly accessible, searchable database that includes detailed information on the type of firearm used, the ownership status, and the context of the incident. With such a database, policymakers would have the data they need to make evidence-based decisions and the public would have a clearer understanding of the risks posed by firearms.

Perhaps the most urgent issue we face is the role of firearms in domestic abuse and femicide. Since 2010, more than 30 women and girls have been fatally shot by men who held firearms licenses. These deaths are not isolated incidents – they are the consequence of a system that fails to adequately consider the risks posed by individuals with access to lethal weapons. The current firearms licensing procedure is inadequate in assessing the potential danger posed by an applicant. It asks questions about burglary risks but fails to inquire about the much more significant risk of domestic violence, coercive control, and murder-suicide.

To address this, we need to reform the licensing process to take into account the applicant’s relationship history, mental health, and financial situation. This should include mandatory checks with partners, ex-partners, and household members who are most likely to be at risk of harm. The idea that a man who is potentially violent should be allowed to keep firearms in his home, where they are easily accessible, is deeply unsettling.

Finally, we must rethink how we address emerging firearm threats, particularly the rise of 3D-printed guns and hybrid firearms. These new technologies pose a serious challenge to law enforcement and make it clear for the need for future-framed regulation. The rapid development of weapons that can bypass traditional regulatory systems demands action. We cannot afford to wait for another mass shooting or domestic tragedy to highlight the dangers of these new firearm threats.

So, AOAV believes the UK’s firearms licensing system is in danger of not being fit for purpose, and it’s time for change.

By implementing a “One Gun, One Licence” system, broadening public consultations, improving data transparency, and addressing the role of firearms in domestic violence, we can create a safer, more responsible system that prioritises public health and safety.

The government must act now – before more lives are lost due to its inaction.