UK Ammunition Register Guide: Legal Requirements & Best Practice

Q: Do I need to record shotgun cartridges?

No. Standard Section 2 shotgun cartridges do not require any record-keeping. You can buy and use unlimited quantities. The only exception is Section 1 shotgun ammunition like solid slug.

Q: What happens if my ammunition count does not match my register?

A small discrepancy will usually result in a verbal warning and advice to improve your record-keeping. A large discrepancy or repeated failures can lead to a formal warning, additional conditions, or revocation.

Quick Answer

UK firearms certificate holders are legally required under Section 35 of the Firearms Act 1968 to record all acquisitions and disposals of Section 1 ammunition. You must accurately log the date, quantity, calibre, and source or recipient for every transaction. Maintaining a precise register is crucial for compliance, preventing certificate revocation, and facilitating smooth Firearms Enquiry Officer inspections.

# How to Keep a UK Firearms Ammunition Register: Legal Requirements and Best Practice ## Quick Answer UK firearms certificate holders have a legal obligation to record all ammunition transactions under Section 35 of the Firearms Act 1968. You must log every acquisition and disposal of Section 1 ammunition, including the date, quantity, calibre, and source. Failure to maintain accurate records can result in your certificate being revoked, and keeping a well-organised register makes FEO inspections significantly smoother. ## What Does UK Law Require for Ammunition Record-Keeping? Section 35 of the Firearms Act 1968 requires every holder of a firearms certificate to keep a record of all ammunition acquired and disposed of. The conditions printed on your FAC will specify the maximum quantity you're allowed to possess at any one time, and the police expect you to be able to demonstrate compliance at any point. Your firearms certificate includes transaction pages. The established practice is that these are completed by the Registered Firearms Dealer (RFD) at the point of sale when you purchase Section 1 ammunition. It is generally considered best practice not to write on your own firearms certificate yourself, as it is a legal document issued by the police. Instead, most experienced certificate holders keep their personal record of disposals (ammunition used at the range or in the field) in a separate log - either a dedicated notebook, spreadsheet, or digital shooting log. This separate record is what your FEO will want to see alongside your certificate during inspections. The Home Office Statutory Guidance (2025) makes clear that Firearms Enquiry Officers will check ammunition records during home visits. An accurate, up-to-date register is one of the simplest ways to demonstrate responsible certificate use. ## What Information Must an Ammunition Register Include? Your ammunition register needs to capture enough detail for a licensing officer to verify your compliance. At minimum, you should record: | Field | Example | Why It Matters | |-------|---------|----------------| | Date | 15/03/2026 | Proves when the transaction occurred | | Type (acquisition or disposal) | Acquisition | Shows the direction of the transaction | | Calibre | .308 Winchester | Must match your certificate conditions | | Quantity | 200 rounds | Proves you're within your possession limit | | Running total | 350 rounds held | Instant snapshot of your current stock | | Source or destination | Sportsman Gun Centre, Dorchester | Identifies the RFD or shooting location | | Certificate number (acquisitions) | FAC 12345/67890 | Links the transaction to your authority | Some certificate holders also record batch numbers and bullet weights. This isn't a legal requirement, but it's useful for tracking ammunition performance and for reloaders who want to monitor lot consistency. ## Do Shotgun Certificate Holders Need to Record Ammunition? No. Section 2 shotgun ammunition (standard shotgun cartridges) does not require any record-keeping. You can buy and use as much shotgun ammunition as you like without logging a single cartridge. The only exception is Section 1 shotgun ammunition, like solid slug or cartridges loaded with more than five projectiles exceeding a certain size. If your shotgun or ammunition falls under Section 1, you must treat it exactly like rifle ammunition and maintain full records. ## How Should I Organise My Ammunition Register? There are three common approaches, each with trade-offs. ### Paper Records (Separate Logbook) The simplest method is keeping a dedicated paper logbook alongside your firearms certificate. The certificate itself is only written on by the RFD when you purchase ammunition - your personal usage and disposal records should always be kept separately. **Pros:** No technology needed, simple to maintain, can carry with you when shooting. **Cons:** Limited to what you remember to write down, difficult to calculate running totals, vulnerable to damage or loss, messy corrections, no backup if lost. ### Spreadsheet A step up from paper. Many shooters maintain a simple Excel or Google Sheets spreadsheet with columns for date, type, calibre, quantity, running total, and notes. **Pros:** Easy to calculate running totals with formulas, can filter by calibre, unlimited entries, easy to print for FEO visits. **Cons:** Relies on having a computer, not always accessible in the field, no automatic backup unless you set one up, easy to accidentally modify historical entries. ### Digital Shooting Log Purpose-built apps like **Vectis Shooting Log** handle ammunition tracking as a core feature. You log acquisitions and disposals from your phone, and the app maintains running totals automatically. When your FEO visits, you can show a clean, professional record on screen or export it as a PDF. **Pros:** Running totals calculated automatically, accessible anywhere on your phone, data backed up in the cloud, impossible to accidentally exceed your possession limit if you log consistently, professional appearance during inspections. **Cons:** Requires a smartphone and internet connection for sync (though most apps work offline too). ## What Are the Most Common Mistakes Certificate Holders Make? **Forgetting to log range sessions.** You buy 200 rounds, record the acquisition, go to the range and fire 150, then forget to log the disposal. Your register now shows you holding 200 rounds when you actually have 50. If you then buy another 200, your register suggests you're holding 400 when you're really holding 250. This snowballs quickly. **Not recording private sales or transfers.** If a fellow certificate holder gives you 50 rounds of .308, that's an acquisition. Both parties need to record the transfer, and both FAC numbers should be noted. **Losing track of running totals.** Without a running total column, you have no quick way to check whether your next purchase will push you over your possession limit. Going over your limit, even by a few rounds, is a certificate condition breach. **Mixing up calibres.** If you hold multiple calibres on your certificate, each has its own possession limit. Your register needs to track each calibre separately, or you risk inadvertently exceeding a limit on one while staying within another. **Waiting to update the register.** The best time to log a transaction is immediately. If you wait until you get home, or worse, until the weekend, you'll forget quantities or dates. Log it at the gun shop counter or at the range before you pack up. ## What Happens During an FEO Ammunition Inspection? When a Firearms Enquiry Officer visits your home, ammunition is one of the key areas they'll check. Here's what to expect. The officer will ask to see your ammunition storage first. Section 1 ammunition must be stored securely, either in your firearms cabinet or in a separate locked container. Leaving loose rounds on a shelf or in an unlocked drawer is a certificate condition breach. Next, they'll ask to see your register. The FEO will compare your recorded running total against the physical ammunition count. If you say you're holding 300 rounds of .308 and they count 300 rounds, everything checks out. If the numbers don't match, you'll need to explain the discrepancy. A well-maintained register with clear entries, running totals, and no crossings-out makes this process take five minutes. A messy, incomplete register with gaps and corrections can turn it into an uncomfortable conversation and may trigger a follow-up visit. ## How Often Should I Update My Ammunition Register? Every single transaction, on the day it happens. This isn't a once-a-week task. The moment you buy ammunition, record it. The moment you finish a range session, record how many rounds you fired. If you're using a digital tool like Vectis Shooting Log, this takes about 30 seconds per entry. You can log it on your phone while you're still at the range, before you even pack your rifle away. That habit alone will keep your records perfectly accurate with almost no effort. For paper records, carry a small notebook and transfer entries to your certificate or main register when you get home. Don't rely on memory, especially after a long day's shooting. ## Can the Police Revoke My Certificate for Poor Ammunition Records? Yes. Under Section 30A of the Firearms Act 1968, the police can revoke your certificate if they believe you cannot be trusted to possess firearms without danger to public safety. Consistently poor record-keeping is one of the signals that raises concerns about a certificate holder's attitude to compliance. In practice, a single minor discrepancy is unlikely to result in revocation. The FEO will usually give you guidance and expect you to improve. But repeated failures, large discrepancies between your register and physical stock, or a complete absence of records can and do lead to revocation proceedings. BASC's firearms licensing helpline reports that ammunition record-keeping issues feature in a significant proportion of the certificate revocation cases they assist with. It's one of the most avoidable reasons to lose your certificate. ## What About Reloading? If you reload your own ammunition, it is good practice to keep a record of your reloading activity. While reloading components such as powder, projectiles, and brass cases are not typically itemised on your firearms certificate, maintaining a log of rounds loaded demonstrates responsible use of your firearms and ammunition allowance. Many experienced reloaders keep a simple record of rounds loaded by calibre and date. This serves as evidence of active shooting and supports your good reason for holding each firearm. Some reloaders also keep spent primers in a jar as a physical demonstration that reloading has taken place. The key point for your ammunition register is to record the finished loaded rounds as part of your overall stock. When you load 50 rounds of .308, that is effectively an acquisition of 50 rounds and should be reflected in your running total. ### Net Explosive Quantity (NEQ) Limits If you reload, it is worth being aware that the Explosives Regulations 2014 (Regulation 27) set limits on the total net explosive quantity (NEQ) that can be stored at a domestic premises without requiring separation distances. This is a combined figure calculated from all explosive material in your home, including the propellant in loaded ammunition, loose powder in containers, and primers. The key thresholds for shooters are a combined total of 5 kilograms of shooters' powder (without a licence) or up to 30 kilograms of shooters' powder and 300 grams of percussion caps (with appropriate storage). Small arms ammunition is excluded from the calculation under certain exemptions, but loose powder and primers always count. This is a complex area where the Firearms Act intersects with explosives regulations. We will be covering NEQ limits, safe storage of reloading components, and the practical implications for home reloaders in a dedicated article in the near future. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Do I legally have to keep an ammunition register in the UK? Yes. Section 35 of the Firearms Act 1968 requires all firearms certificate holders to record every acquisition and disposal of Section 1 ammunition. Your FAC conditions will also specify this requirement explicitly. The police expect to see an accurate, up-to-date register during any home visit or inspection. ### How many rounds of ammunition can I possess at one time? The maximum quantity is printed on your firearms certificate under the conditions for each calibre. Common limits range from 200 to 500 rounds for target shooters, though this varies by police force and your stated requirements. You must never exceed the limit stated on your certificate, even temporarily. ### Do I need to record shotgun cartridges? No. Standard Section 2 shotgun cartridges (those used with a shotgun certificate) do not require any record-keeping. You can buy and use unlimited quantities. The only exception is Section 1 shotgun ammunition like solid slug, which must be recorded like any other Section 1 ammunition. ### What counts as a disposal of ammunition? Any reduction in your ammunition stock counts as a disposal. This includes firing rounds at the range, using them for pest control or stalking, giving them to another certificate holder, returning them to an RFD, or disposing of damaged or corroded rounds. All disposals should be logged with the date and quantity. ### Can I use a phone app instead of the paper certificate for ammunition records? Yes. The Home Office does not mandate a specific format for your ammunition register. A digital record is perfectly acceptable, provided you can show it to an FEO during an inspection. Many officers prefer digital records because they're clearer and easier to audit. Keep a backup, and consider being able to export a PDF or printout if asked. ### What happens if my ammunition count doesn't match my register? A small discrepancy (a few rounds) will usually result in a verbal warning and advice to improve your record-keeping. A large discrepancy, or repeated failures to maintain accurate records, can lead to a formal warning, additional conditions on your certificate, or in serious cases, revocation. The key is to correct any errors promptly and demonstrate improvement. ### Do I need to record ammunition I use on a friend's land? Yes. Every round you fire, regardless of where you fire it, is a disposal and should be recorded. Whether you're at your home club, a different range, on pest control permission, or on a friend's farm, the ammunition leaving your possession must be logged in your register. ### Should I keep old ammunition records after my certificate is renewed? Yes. Keep your old records for at least five years after your certificate renewal. The police may occasionally review historical records, particularly if questions arise about your ammunition usage patterns. Digital records make this easy since they take up no physical space. Old paper certificates should be stored securely with your other firearms documentation.

Quick Answer

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I legally have to keep an ammunition register in the UK?

How many rounds of ammunition can I possess at one time?

Do I need to record shotgun cartridges?

What counts as a disposal of ammunition?

Can I use a phone app instead of the paper certificate for ammunition records?

What happens if my ammunition count does not match my register?

Do I need to record ammunition I use on a friend's land?

Should I keep old ammunition records after my certificate is renewed?

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