Quick Answer
UK firearms certificate (FAC) holders are legally required to record ammunition purchases on their certificate and keep their Section 1 firearms listed on it. Beyond those legal minimums, keeping a shooting diary, zeroing log, and maintenance record is not required by law but makes renewals, police inquiries, and day-to-day management considerably easier.
What records does the law actually require FAC holders to keep?
The Firearms Act 1968 requires Section 1 certificate holders to hold a valid firearm certificate listing each firearm and specifying the quantities of ammunition they are authorised to possess. When you buy ammunition, the dealer must endorse the purchase on your certificate, recording the quantity acquired.
Your certificate acts as the primary legal record. It shows each firearm by calibre, make, and serial number, along with your authorised possession and acquisition limits for ammunition. You must not hold more ammunition than your certificate allows at any one time.
Shotgun certificate holders have a similar but simpler arrangement. Each shotgun must be listed on the certificate, but there is no statutory ammunition possession limit for shotgun cartridges of the type used in Section 2 shotguns. Each shotgun acquired must be added and each disposed of must be removed.
Do I have to keep an ammunition log?
There is no separate legal duty to maintain a personal ammunition log. The certificate endorsement system is the formal record. That said, many certificate holders keep their own tally because the endorsements on a paper certificate can be difficult to read, and running calculations in your head at a gun shop is not always reliable.
A simple ammunition log records how much you had, what you bought, what you used, and what remains. This lets you check at a glance whether a planned purchase would take you over your authorised possession limit. It also helps at renewal time, when the firearms enquiry officer may ask about your pattern of use and whether your current limits are still appropriate.
Vectis Shooting Log includes an ammunition tracker that handles this automatically - it calculates remaining stock against your permitted quantities and flags if a purchase would push you over.
What should a shooting diary include?
A shooting diary is not a legal requirement, but it is one of the most useful documents a certificate holder can maintain. Police and courts have, in past renewal disputes, pointed to an absence of shooting activity as a factor in questioning whether an applicant has "good reason" to hold a firearm.
A sensible shooting diary entry covers:
- Date and location
- Firearm and ammunition used (calibre, load, quantity)
- Purpose of the session (target shooting, zeroing, pest control, stalking)
- Any relevant outcomes (animals taken, scores recorded, zeroing results)
- Who was present if relevant (for land permission records)
Short entries are fine. The point is to show a consistent and lawful pattern of use over time. A few lines per session is enough.
Why does zeroing deserve its own log?
Zeroing records deserve a separate section in any serious record-keeping system. When you change scope mounts, fit a new moderator, switch ammunition types, or have a rifle serviced, the zero can shift. Recording your zero at each session means you always know the baseline for that rifle and ammunition combination.
A zeroing log should note the date, range distance, ammunition batch and load, any equipment changes made since the last session, and the resulting point of impact relative to point of aim. This is especially relevant for deer stalkers, who may need to demonstrate that their calibre and setup are appropriate for the species and range they intend to shoot.
If a police firearms enquiry officer ever questions whether a particular calibre or configuration is fit for its stated purpose, a detailed zeroing log supporting ethical performance at realistic ranges is exactly the kind of evidence that helps.
What records should I keep about firearms condition and maintenance?
Most certificate holders do not keep a formal maintenance log, but those who move into more serious target shooting, pest control work, or deer stalking often find it useful.
A basic maintenance record covers:
- Cleaning dates and what was done
- Any parts replaced or wear noticed
- Gunsmith visits and work carried out
- Proof or inspection dates for older firearms
- Moderator cleaning and service records
Moderators in particular benefit from a log. They require regular stripping and cleaning, especially after wet or heavy-use sessions. If yours is a Section 1 moderator listed on your certificate, keeping a record of its condition is sensible both for your own safety and for demonstrating responsible ownership.
What records matter for deer stalking permissions?
Deer stalkers have additional record-keeping considerations beyond the FAC itself. If you hold a stalking permission, you will normally be expected to keep records of:
- Date, location, and estate
- Species, sex, and approximate age of any deer taken
- Calibre and firearm used
- Carcass weight and destination if the carcase enters the food chain
The Deer Act 1991 and its associated regulations set the seasons during which different species may be shot. Your records should make it easy to demonstrate that you were operating within season and within the terms of your FAC.
If you are working towards or hold the Deer Stalking Certificate Level 2, your assessor will want to review a comprehensive cull record. Starting this early, even before formal qualification, is good practice.
What about pest control records?
Pest control work often takes place on land where you are operating under a written or verbal permission arrangement with the landowner. The Natural England general licences (for England - equivalent arrangements exist in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland) set out which species may be controlled, under what circumstances, and by whom.
Keeping a record of the land you operate on, the pest species targeted and the legal basis, dates and quantities taken, and calibres and firearms used is not always legally required, but it demonstrates compliance with the general licence conditions and protects you if a complaint or query arises. Some landowners require records as part of their own estate management.
How does renewal affect what records I should keep?
At FAC renewal, your firearms enquiry officer will want to satisfy themselves that you still have good reason to hold each firearm and that the ammunition limits on your certificate reflect your genuine pattern of use. Certificate holders who have used all their firearms during the certificate period and can show a clear record of legitimate activity generally have smoother renewals.
Useful documents to have ready at renewal include:
- Your shooting diary covering the certificate period
- Range memberships or club records if applicable
- Land permission letters or agreements
- Any BASC or NRA membership details relevant to your stated purposes
If you are a member of an approved club that maintains its own records, those club records can support your renewal too - but having your own parallel record is still worth doing.
How can Vectis Shooting Log help with record keeping?
Vectis Shooting Log is built around exactly this kind of record keeping. It stores your firearm details, tracks your ammunition stock against your authorised limits, and lets you log shooting sessions with location, purpose, and equipment used.
For certificate holders who want to be well-prepared for renewals and demonstrate responsible ownership, it removes the hassle of maintaining separate spreadsheets or paper notebooks. Everything is in one place, accessible when you need it.
Good record keeping is not bureaucracy for its own sake. It reflects the responsible approach that the UK shooting community takes seriously, and it makes your own shooting life easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it a legal requirement to keep a shooting diary in the UK?
No. There is no legal requirement to keep a personal shooting diary. However, it is strongly recommended as evidence of genuine and lawful use, which can support FAC renewals and any police inquiries.
Must I record every ammunition purchase?
For Section 1 ammunition, purchases must be endorsed on your firearm certificate by the dealer at the point of sale. For shotgun cartridges used by SGC holders, there is no statutory possession limit and no endorsement requirement.
What happens if I hold more ammunition than my certificate allows?
Possessing ammunition in quantities exceeding those authorised on your certificate is an offence under Section 1(1)(b) of the Firearms Act 1968. Keep a running total so you never inadvertently breach your limits.
Do I need to record firearms condition or servicing?
There is no legal duty to keep maintenance records, but many experienced certificate holders do so. It demonstrates responsible ownership and is useful when discussing your firearms with a gunsmith or police enquiry officer.
What records help with a deer stalking permission application?
A stalking diary showing species, date, location, calibre, and outcome is expected. If you are pursuing Deer Stalking Certificate Level 2, your cull records will form part of your assessment portfolio.
Can I use Vectis Shooting Log as my official record?
Vectis Shooting Log provides a structured digital record of your shooting activity, ammunition stock, and firearm details. While your actual certificate remains the legal document, your Vectis records provide useful supporting evidence for renewals and inquiries.
Should I keep records of land permissions for pest control?
Yes. Even where records are not strictly required by law, keeping written details of your permissions, the species targeted, and the legal basis for control protects you and supports compliance with general licence conditions.
How far back should shooting records go?
Keeping records for the full duration of your current certificate period is a sensible minimum. Many experienced certificate holders keep records indefinitely, as patterns of use over time can support future applications and variations.
What should I record when I buy a new firearm?
Note the date of purchase, the firearm details (make, model, calibre, serial number), the dealer name, and the certificate condition under which it was acquired. Confirm the firearm is added to your certificate promptly.
What records matter most at FAC renewal?
Your shooting diary showing regular and lawful use of all listed firearms, your ammunition tracking records, any range membership or club records, and your land permission documents are the most useful at renewal.
For help bringing your notes and supporting documents into one system, see our Knowledge Centre guide to keeping firearms compliance records. It complements an activity log with a regular review and backup routine.