Is your shotgun certificate close to expiring? Here's what you need to know about renewing it.
Q: I put my shotgun licence in for renewal in 10 weeks before it expired. It still wasn’t renewed after it had expired, and I got the automatic eight-week extension. That has two weeks left but I have not got my licence back. I have asked for a temporary permit, but was told by police that I would be OK to have guns as I had applied to renew. Is this right?
A: It is wholly incorrect. The newly published Statutory Guidance (14/02/2023) makes this plain at 6.10: “Certificate holders must not be asked to rely on an expired certificate or registration. It is unlawful for them to do so.” The new guidance also envisages that your situation is one where a temporary permit could be appropriate; 6.6 states: “Or it could apply where that 8 week extension is about to expire, and the police are still unable to decide the application.” Make a complaint to Professional Standards that you have been given bad advice and continue to be pestered for a temporary permit.
Q: My local force has offered me early renewal of my shotgun certificate. I am told other forces are doing the same. Should I take up the offer?
A: Some forces are doing this to even out the workload between the three normal years and the two slack years of the renewal cycle. Some are offering a discount, which makes it more attractive. On the downside you may have to pay your GP for his medical input. Other forces are being less generous and I suggest you ignore their offer. Renewing your shotgun certificate early is not obligatory if offered.
Some police forces now have the facility to apply for a shotgun renewal online