Citation(s) from the GunPolicy.org literature library
UK. 2020 ‘Firearm Certificates: Applications, Certificates on Issue and Firearms Covered by Certificates, 1971 and 1983 to 2019/20.’ Firearm and Shotgun Certificates, England and Wales (Table 1). London: Home Office. 20 July
Relevant contents
Table 1: Firearm certificates: applications, certificates on issue and firearms covered by certificates, 1971 and 1983 to 2019/20
Year: Firearm certificates on issue - Firearms covered by certificates on issue - Average number of firearms per certificate
2019/20: 159,483 – 604,920 - 3.79
2018/19: 159,745 – 596,661 - 3.74
2017/18: 157,581 – 577,547 - 3.67
2016/17: 154,958 – 559,302 - 3.61
2015/16: 153,404 – 539,194 - 3.51
2014/15: 153,603 – 525,125 - 3.42
2013/14: 151,413 – 507,867 - 3.35
2012/13: 147,695 – 498,048 - 3.37
2011/12: 143,166 – 477,888 - 3.34
2010/11: 141,840 – 464,839 - 3.28
2009/10: 141,852 – 451,131 - 3.18
2008/09: 138,728 – 435,383 - 3.14
2007/08: 128,528
2006/07:
2005/06: 127,900 – 368,600 - 2.88
2004/05: 126,400 – 358,300 - 2.83
2003/04: 122,100 – 342,200 - 2.8
2002: 117,700 – 311,000 - 2.64
2002/03: 118,600 – 316,700 - 2.67
2001: 119,600 – 301,000 - 2.52
2000: 125,400 – 296,800 - 2.37
1999: 132,300 – 296,400 - 2.24
1998: 131,900 – 295,000 - 2.24
1997: 133,600 – 305,000 - 2.28
1996: 141,900 – 418,300 - 2.95
1995: 141,700 – 413,600 - 2.92
1994: 140,200
1993: 138,400
1992: 136,800
1991: 138,600
1990: 142,500
1989: 149,400
1988: 155,400
1987: 159,000
1986: 160,300
1985: 160,400
1984: 160,300
1983: 159,800
1971: 190,600
Notes
Rounds to less than 10
Figures up to 2005/06 are rounded; from 2007/08 figures are unrounded.
The extension of the period of the certificates changed from 3 years to 5 years in 1995. No renewals were due in 1998 and 1999; those shown are delayed applications from 1997.
Figures for calendar years are as at 31 December and figures for financial years are as at 31 March.
Full returns for all police forces available from 1995.
For 1983 until 1988, the figures include estimates made centrally for a small number of forces.
In 2006, figures are not available due to the transition from in-force data collection systems to the National Firearms Licensing Management System.
From 2007/08, data are extracted from the National Firearms Licensing Management System. Prior to this figures were supplied directly to the Home Office by police forces.