Quick Answer
During a UK house move, certificate holders should keep firearms secure, notify the relevant firearms licensing department, move guns discreetly under personal control, and reinstall approved storage before firearms are left at the new address. The legal test is still secure storage so far as reasonably practicable, preventing access by unauthorised people.
The Home Office firearms security handbook is clear that firearms and shotguns on certificate must be stored securely, and that security depends on the individual premises, the type and number of firearms, access control and the risk around the property. A move is exactly the moment to slow down, document the plan and avoid improvising.
Why is a house move different from normal storage?
A house move is different because your normal security routine is temporarily disrupted. Cabinets may be unfixed, rooms may be full of contractors, doors may be open, and your attention may be split between dozens of ordinary moving jobs.
The Home Office firearms security handbook says certificate holders must store firearms and shotguns securely so unauthorised people cannot gain access, so far as reasonably practicable. It also defines unauthorised persons as people who do not have a certificate allowing them to possess the guns of the holder.
That matters on moving day. Removal staff, decorators, estate agents, buyers, tenants, relatives and casual visitors are not automatically authorised just because they are in the property.
When should you contact firearms licensing?
You should contact your firearms licensing department as soon as you have a confirmed moving plan or a likely completion date. The exact local process varies, but the police need to know where certificate firearms and shotguns are being kept.
GOV.UK's firearms licensing page reminds certificate holders that firearms and ammunition possession is regulated mainly by the Firearms Act 1968, and that the police issue certificates for possession, buying and acquisition. A change of address is not just ordinary correspondence. It affects where the guns are stored and who may inspect or advise on security.
Give your force practical information:
- your certificate number
- your old and new address
- the intended moving date
- whether the cabinet will be moved or replaced
- where firearms will be kept during the transition
- whether any temporary storage is being considered
Keep a note of dates, names and any advice received. A tidy record prevents confusion if completion dates move.
How should you plan the move before moving day?
Plan firearms as their own controlled task, separate from the general household move. Do not leave them as one more box to sort out.
A sensible plan includes:
- checking certificate conditions and force guidance
- contacting the firearms licensing department
- confirming who will have cabinet keys
- counting firearms and section 1 ammunition before the move
- deciding when the cabinet will be removed and refitted
- choosing a lawful temporary storage route if needed
- recording the final storage position at the new address
If there is any doubt, ask the licensing department before the move. Guessing is a poor substitute for a written note or email trail.
Can removal staff move your firearms?
In ordinary domestic circumstances, removals staff should not handle or have access to your firearms. The certificate holder should keep control of the firearms and prevent unauthorised access.
This does not mean every cabinet, box or locked case must be hidden from human sight at all times. It means the guns themselves should not be treated as ordinary household contents, and the means of access should stay with the certificate holder.
If a removals company is moving the empty cabinet, remove all firearms and ammunition first. Do not leave cabinet keys in the property, in a labelled drawer or in a bag that other people can access.
How should firearms be transported to the new address?
Firearms should be transported discreetly, directly and under control. The aim is to avoid unnecessary stops, avoid public display, and avoid leaving firearms unattended.
The Home Office security handbook covers security considerations for transport, and BASC's stalking code of practice gives practical field advice that also fits domestic movement: if a rifle must be left in a locked vehicle, keep it out of sight and remove the bolt and ammunition where practicable.
For a house move, the better approach is to avoid leaving firearms in a vehicle at all. Move them at a planned point in the day, preferably after secure storage is ready at the destination.
What if the new cabinet is not ready?
If the new cabinet is not ready, do not leave firearms unsecured at the new address. Arrange lawful temporary storage before the problem arises.
Options may include using a registered firearms dealer, another properly authorised certificate holder, or a club arrangement where lawful and agreed. The details matter. A friend with a shotgun certificate cannot automatically store your section 1 rifle, and a cabinet in someone else's house is not enough if the authority to possess is missing.
Ask the firearms licensing department for guidance if the timing is awkward. Many house moves involve delays, keys arriving late or completion dates changing. The important point is to make the security plan before the removals van is outside.
Where should the cabinet go in the new property?
The cabinet should be fixed to suitable structure, out of obvious view, and in a place that does not create avoidable safety or damp problems. The Home Office handbook says new cabinets should conform to BS7558 and should be fixed to the structure.
The handbook also says brick, concrete or masonry walls are usually the best bonding materials. It warns that some modern building materials, such as breeze and thermal block, may not suit normal fixings.
Do not choose a location simply because it is convenient. Consider visitors, household members, escape routes, damp, heat, floor loading and how visible the cabinet is during normal life.
How should you handle ammunition during the move?
Section 1 ammunition must be kept secure, and separate secure storage is best practice. The Home Office handbook says ammunition and easily removable component parts, such as rifle bolts, may be stored separately from firearms as an additional level of security.
Shotgun ammunition is not covered by the same certificate storage condition, but the handbook says it is advisable that ammunition is stored safely. During a move, that means not leaving cartridges in open boxes where visitors, children or contractors can access them.
Count ammunition before and after the move. Record any discrepancy immediately and resolve it before normal life resumes.
What records should you keep for the move?
You should keep a short moving record because it shows the change was managed deliberately. The record does not need to be dramatic, but it should be clear.
Useful notes include:
- date firearms licensing was notified
- advice or reference numbers received
- old and new storage addresses
- cabinet removal and refitting date
- who installed or checked the cabinet
- firearm and ammunition counts
- temporary storage details, if used
- any photographs of the final installation
Vectis Shooting Log is useful here because the move becomes part of your certificate history, not a vague memory.
What should you check after the move?
After the move, check that every firearm, bolt, magazine and ammunition entry is accounted for, and that the cabinet locks and fixings are working properly. Also check that your keys are back in a secure routine.
Then confirm that firearms licensing has the right address and any requested follow-up information. If the police want to inspect the new installation, make the visit easy by having your certificate, cabinet details and notes ready.
The best house move is uneventful. The work you put in beforehand is what makes it that way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to tell the police before moving house with firearms?
Certificate holders should contact their firearms licensing department before or as soon as they know they are moving, because the police need accurate details of where firearms will be kept. Your certificate conditions and force process may set out how the change should be reported.
Can I move my gun cabinet myself?
You can arrange the physical move of a cabinet, but firearms must remain secure and unauthorised people must not gain access. Many certificate holders move firearms separately and reinstall the cabinet before bringing guns to the new address.
Where should a gun cabinet go in a new house?
A cabinet should normally be fixed to suitable structure, out of obvious view and in a location that makes attack difficult. The Home Office security handbook says brick, concrete or masonry walls are usually the best bonding materials.
Can movers handle my firearms?
Removals staff should not handle or have access to your firearms unless there is a lawful and properly controlled arrangement. In ordinary domestic moves, the certificate holder should keep personal control and prevent unauthorised access.
What should I do with ammunition during a house move?
Section 1 ammunition must be kept secure, and separate secure storage is best practice. Shotgun cartridges are not subject to the same certificate storage condition, but they should still be stored safely and discreetly.
Can firearms be kept temporarily at another address?
Temporary storage may be possible, but it must be lawful and agreed with the relevant firearms licensing department where needed. Do not assume that a friend, relative or club can hold firearms unless the certificate authority and security position are clear.
Should I photograph my cabinet installation?
Photographs can help your own records, especially if they show the cabinet location, fixings and any separate ammunition storage. They do not replace any police inspection or advice, but they make your moving record clearer.
How can Vectis help during a firearms house move?
Vectis can record the date of the move, old and new storage notes, cabinet checks, ammunition counts and any police contact. That gives you a tidy timeline if your licensing department asks what changed and when.