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What Counts as Good Reason for a UK Firearms Certificate: Police Requirements Explained

FAC & Licensing 9 April 2026 By Ashley Marshall

Learn what counts as good reason for a UK Firearms Certificate, from target shooting and pest control to deer stalking, and how police assess your application.

What Counts as Good Reason for a UK Firearms Certificate: Police Requirements Explained

Quick Answer

To obtain a UK Firearms Certificate (FAC), you must demonstrate "good reason" to possess each firearm and type of ammunition. While police forces assess each application individually, commonly accepted reasons include target shooting at an approved club, pest control or vermin management on land you have permission to shoot, or deer stalking. The key principle is proving a genuine, ongoing use for the firearm you are requesting.

# What Counts as Good Reason for a UK Firearms Certificate: Police Requirements Explained ## Quick Answer To obtain a UK Firearms Certificate (FAC), you must demonstrate "good reason" to possess each firearm and type of ammunition. The most commonly accepted reasons are target shooting at an approved club, pest control or vermin management on land you have permission to shoot, and deer stalking. Police forces assess each application individually, but the key principle is straightforward: you need a genuine, ongoing use for the firearm you are requesting. --- ## What Is "Good Reason" Under UK Firearms Law? Section 27 of the Firearms Act 1968 requires the chief officer of police to be satisfied that an applicant has "good reason" for possessing, purchasing, or acquiring each firearm and ammunition to which the certificate relates. Unlike a shotgun certificate, where police must show a reason to refuse, the burden of proof for an FAC sits with the applicant. This is one of the most important distinctions in UK firearms law. With a shotgun certificate, the default position is that you should receive one unless police can demonstrate a reason not to grant it. With an FAC, you must actively prove why you need each specific firearm. The Home Office Guidance to Police (2024) provides a framework, but individual constabularies retain discretion. This means the exact evidence required can vary between forces, though the core principles remain consistent across England, Wales, and Scotland. ## What Are the Most Common Good Reasons? ### Target Shooting at an Approved Club This is the most straightforward route for most applicants. If you are a member of a Home Office Approved Club (HOAC), your club can provide a letter confirming your membership and the disciplines you shoot. The club must be approved under Section 15 of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988. **What police typically expect:** - Full membership of a HOAC (probationary membership alone is usually insufficient for a full grant) - A supporting letter from the club confirming your membership status and the calibres or types of firearms used in your disciplines - Evidence of regular attendance, typically at least six sessions over a period of months - The specific calibre or type of firearm must match a discipline the club actually runs For example, requesting a .308 Winchester for fullbore target rifle is straightforward if your club has a 600-yard range. Requesting a .50 BMG when your club only has a 100-metre range would raise questions. **Common disciplines and typical firearms:** | Discipline | Typical Calibres | Notes | |---|---|---| | Fullbore Target Rifle | .308 Win, .223 Rem | NRA disciplines, 300-1000 yards | | F-Class | .308 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, .284 Win | Precision long-range shooting | | Practical Rifle | .223 Rem, .308 Win | UKPSA-governed, dynamic stages | | Gallery Rifle | .357 Mag, .44 Mag (lever action) | Shorter range, reactive targets | | Muzzle Loading | Various black powder | MLAGB disciplines | ### Pest Control and Vermin Management If you have access to land where pest control is needed, this provides good reason for appropriate firearms. The key requirements are: - **Written permission** from the landowner or occupier to shoot on their land - **A genuine pest problem** that shooting can address - **Appropriate calibre** for the quarry species A letter from a farmer confirming you have permission to control rabbits, rats, pigeons, or foxes on their land is the standard evidence. Police may verify the land permission, and some forces send a Firearms Enquiry Officer (FEO) to inspect the land. The firearm requested must be suitable for the quarry. A .22 LR rimfire is appropriate for rabbits and rats. A .223 Remington or .243 Winchester suits foxes and larger pest species. Requesting a .338 Lapua Magnum for rabbit control would not be considered proportionate. ### Deer Stalking Deer stalking requires firearms that meet the legal minimum calibre and bullet energy requirements set out in the Deer Act 1991 (England and Wales) and the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996. **Minimum legal requirements for deer in England and Wales:** | Deer Species | Min. Calibre | Min. Bullet Weight | Min. Muzzle Energy | Min. Muzzle Velocity | |---|---|---|---|---| | All species except muntjac and Chinese water deer | .240 / 6mm | 100 grains | 1,700 ft-lbs | 2,450 fps | | Muntjac and Chinese water deer | .220 / 5.56mm | 50 grains | 1,000 ft-lbs | 2,450 fps | To demonstrate good reason for deer stalking, you typically need: - Land permission from a stalking syndicate, estate, or landowner - Booking confirmations from commercial stalking providers - Deer Stalking Certificate (DSC) Level 1, or evidence of working towards it - Membership of a recognised body such as the British Deer Society ### Collecting and Historical Interest Firearms collecting is accepted as good reason, though the threshold for evidence is higher than practical shooting or pest control. Collectors must demonstrate genuine expertise and a coherent collection theme. Simply wanting to own firearms is not sufficient. ### Other Accepted Reasons - **Humane dispatch of animals** (e.g., veterinary surgeons, hunt staff, farmers) - **Estate management** where firearms are tools for land management - **Professional use** such as wildlife management, airport bird control, or Ministry of Defence contractors ## How Do Police Assess Good Reason? The assessment process involves several stages: 1. **Application review** - Your written application is checked for completeness and the stated reasons are assessed on paper 2. **Referee checks** - Police contact your referees to verify your character and stated activities 3. **FEO visit** - A Firearms Enquiry Officer visits your home to inspect security arrangements and discuss your application in person 4. **Verification** - Police may contact your shooting club, landowner, or stalking provider to confirm your arrangements The FEO visit is often where applications succeed or falter. Be prepared to discuss your shooting activities knowledgeably and demonstrate that you have genuine, current arrangements in place. ## What Does NOT Count as Good Reason? UK law is clear that certain reasons are not acceptable: - **Self-defence** - This is explicitly not considered good reason for a civilian FAC in the UK - **General interest** - Wanting to own a firearm without a specific, practical use - **Future plans** without concrete arrangements - Saying you "might take up stalking one day" is insufficient - **Investment or financial speculation** - Buying firearms purely as assets ## How Many Firearms Can You Apply For? There is no legal maximum number of firearms on an FAC. However, you must demonstrate good reason for each individual firearm. Police may question why you need three rifles in .308 Winchester, for example, unless you can explain that one is configured for F-Class, another for stalking, and a third for practical rifle. The principle is proportionality. Your collection should reflect your stated activities. If you claim target shooting as your sole reason but request twelve rifles across multiple calibres, expect detailed questioning about which disciplines each serves. ## Tips for a Strong Application 1. **Get your ducks in a row before applying** - Join a club, secure land permission, or book stalking before submitting your application 2. **Be specific** - Name exact calibres, disciplines, and locations 3. **Keep records** - Maintain a shooting diary showing regular participation 4. **Ask your club for guidance** - Experienced members and club officials can advise on what your local force expects 5. **Be honest** - Exaggerating your experience or fabricating arrangements will be discovered and will result in refusal 6. **Be patient** - Processing times vary from 8 weeks to 6 months depending on force workload ## What If Your Application Is Refused? If police refuse your FAC application, they must provide written reasons. You have the right to appeal to the Crown Court (England and Wales) or the Sheriff Court (Scotland) within 21 days of receiving the refusal notice. Common reasons for refusal include: - Insufficient evidence of good reason - Security arrangements not meeting required standards - Concerns raised by referees or medical records - Previous criminal convictions or cautions (depending on severity) The Firearms Appeal Committee of the Shooting Sports Trust and organisations like BASC offer guidance and legal support for appeals. ## Does Good Reason Change at Renewal? Your FAC is valid for five years. At renewal, you must demonstrate that your good reason is still current. If you claimed target shooting but have not attended your club in three years, your renewal may be questioned or conditions varied. This is one reason why keeping a shooting diary is so valuable. A record of regular range visits, stalking outings, or pest control sessions provides clear evidence at renewal that your reasons remain genuine and active. **Using a digital tool like Vectis Shooting Log makes this straightforward** - your range sessions, ammunition usage, and activity records are all tracked automatically, giving you a comprehensive record ready for renewal. --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Can I get a firearms certificate just for collecting guns? Yes, collecting is accepted as good reason, but you must demonstrate genuine expertise, a coherent collection theme, and knowledge of the firearms you wish to acquire. Casual interest without depth is unlikely to succeed. ### Is self-defence ever accepted as good reason in the UK? No. Self-defence is not considered good reason for a civilian firearms certificate in England, Wales, or Scotland. This has been consistently upheld by the courts. ### How long does a firearms certificate application take? Processing times vary by police force but typically range from 8 weeks to 6 months. Some forces publish their current average processing times online. Contact your local firearms licensing department for an estimate. ### Do I need land permission before applying for pest control? Yes. You should have written permission from the landowner or occupier before applying. Police will verify this, and applying without confirmed arrangements weakens your application. ### Can my club's probationary membership support an FAC application? Most forces require full membership, not probationary status, before they will grant an FAC based on target shooting. However, some forces accept probationary membership with strong supporting evidence from the club. Check with your local licensing department. ### What happens if I move house with a firearms certificate? You must notify the police within seven days of moving. Your security arrangements at the new address will need to be inspected and approved. Your certificate remains valid during this process, but your firearms must be stored securely at all times. ### Can I have firearms on both an FAC and a shotgun certificate? Yes. Many shooters hold both certificates simultaneously. Section 1 shotguns (those with a magazine capacity exceeding three cartridges) require an FAC, whilst standard shotguns fall under a shotgun certificate. ### Does having a shotgun certificate make it easier to get an FAC? Having a clean shotgun certificate demonstrates that police have already assessed you as a fit person to possess firearms, which can support your FAC application. However, you still need to demonstrate separate good reason for each FAC firearm. ### What calibres can I request without specific justification? All calibres require specific justification linked to your stated good reason. There is no "standard" calibre that is automatically approved. However, common calibres for well-established disciplines (such as .308 for fullbore target rifle) are straightforward to justify with club membership. ### Can I add more firearms to my certificate later? Yes, through a variation application. You must demonstrate good reason for each additional firearm, just as you did on the original application. Variation applications typically have shorter processing times than new grants.

Related Knowledge Centre answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a firearms certificate just for collecting guns?

Yes, collecting is accepted as good reason, but you must demonstrate genuine expertise, a coherent collection theme, and knowledge of the firearms you wish to acquire.

Is self-defence ever accepted as good reason in the UK?

No. Self-defence is not considered good reason for a civilian firearms certificate in England, Wales, or Scotland.

How long does a firearms certificate application take?

Processing times vary by police force but typically range from 8 weeks to 6 months.

Do I need land permission before applying for pest control?

Yes. You should have written permission from the landowner or occupier before applying. Police will verify this.

Can my club probationary membership support an FAC application?

Most forces require full membership before granting an FAC based on target shooting, though some accept probationary membership with strong supporting evidence.

What happens if I move house with a firearms certificate?

You must notify the police within seven days of moving. Your security arrangements at the new address will need inspection and approval.

Can I have firearms on both an FAC and a shotgun certificate?

Yes. Many shooters hold both certificates simultaneously. Section 1 shotguns require an FAC, whilst standard shotguns fall under a shotgun certificate.

Does having a shotgun certificate make it easier to get an FAC?

Having a clean shotgun certificate demonstrates police have assessed you as fit to possess firearms, which supports your FAC application, but you still need separate good reason.

What calibres can I request without specific justification?

All calibres require specific justification linked to your stated good reason. There is no automatically approved calibre.

Can I add more firearms to my certificate later?

Yes, through a variation application. You must demonstrate good reason for each additional firearm.

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