New FAC SGC statistics
- Thread starter Dragonfly Ordnance
- Start date
Some highlights:
Figure 1 shows there were 140,257 firearm certificates on issue as at 31 March 2026, a 3% decrease (-5,049) compared with 31 March 2025 (145,306). This continues the downward trend and is the lowest number of certificates on issue since March 2009 (138,728).
Figure 1 also shows there were 457,340 shotgun certificates on issue as at 31 March 2026, a 5% decrease (-25,272) compared with 31 March 2025 (482,612). This is the seventh consecutive annual decrease and the lowest number of shotgun certificates on issue since comparable records began, following the introduction of the NFLMS in 2007. Prior to 31 March 2019, the number of shotgun certificates on issue showed small fluctuations.
Of the 623,567 firearms covered by a firearm certificate in England and Wales as at 31 March 2026, the majority (57%) were rifles and 33% were sound moderators. These proportions have remained stable over the last 11 years.
Rifles are typically used for target shooting or for controlling vermin.
Sound moderators are an accessory designed to reduce the noise or flash of a firearm. These are currently subject to certificate control under section 57(1) of the 1968 Act as an accessory “designed or adapted to diminish the noise or flash caused by firing” a firearm. However, once the changes made by the Crime and Policing Act 2026 come into force (later in 2026), sound moderators will no longer be included within the definition of a firearm and this will no longer apply. Instead, a new section (2A) of the 1968 Act will make it an offence for a person to have in their possession a relevant accessory unless the person holds a firearms certificate or a shotgun certificate, or without an exemption applying.
Of the 470,785 certificate holders:
Gender
Age
Figure 1: Firearm and shotgun certificates on issue (thousands), England and Wales, as at 31 March 2009 to 2026
Figure 1 shows there were 140,257 firearm certificates on issue as at 31 March 2026, a 3% decrease (-5,049) compared with 31 March 2025 (145,306). This continues the downward trend and is the lowest number of certificates on issue since March 2009 (138,728).
Figure 1 also shows there were 457,340 shotgun certificates on issue as at 31 March 2026, a 5% decrease (-25,272) compared with 31 March 2025 (482,612). This is the seventh consecutive annual decrease and the lowest number of shotgun certificates on issue since comparable records began, following the introduction of the NFLMS in 2007. Prior to 31 March 2019, the number of shotgun certificates on issue showed small fluctuations.
Of the 623,567 firearms covered by a firearm certificate in England and Wales as at 31 March 2026, the majority (57%) were rifles and 33% were sound moderators. These proportions have remained stable over the last 11 years.
Rifles are typically used for target shooting or for controlling vermin.
Sound moderators are an accessory designed to reduce the noise or flash of a firearm. These are currently subject to certificate control under section 57(1) of the 1968 Act as an accessory “designed or adapted to diminish the noise or flash caused by firing” a firearm. However, once the changes made by the Crime and Policing Act 2026 come into force (later in 2026), sound moderators will no longer be included within the definition of a firearm and this will no longer apply. Instead, a new section (2A) of the 1968 Act will make it an offence for a person to have in their possession a relevant accessory unless the person holds a firearms certificate or a shotgun certificate, or without an exemption applying.
Lowest number of certificate holders since comparable records began
As at 31 March 2026, 470,785 people held either a firearm certificate, a shotgun certificate, or both. This was a 5% decrease (-26,119) compared with 31 March 2025, and is the lowest number since comparable figures have been available (2016). This total figure includes those that hold either a firearm certificate or shotgun certificate only, and those that hold both types of certificate. A person is counted just once if they hold both a firearm and a shotgun certificate.Of the 470,785 certificate holders:
Gender
- 93% (439,977) were male
- 7% (30,808) were female
Age
- 0.2% (893) were aged 17 years or under
- 11% (53,046) were aged 18 to 34
- 20% (94,525) were aged 35 to 49
- 35% (163,449) were aged 50 to 64
- 34% (158,872) were aged 65 and over
timbrayford
Well-Known Member
Are there any reliable statistics pertaining to grants held up by police inactivity?
12gsnapcaps
Well-Known Member
This year I've brought 2 friends into shooting, with one just put in his SGC application.
I try and do my part!
I try and do my part!
Malxwal
Well-Known Member
No real surprises. Shooting at less accessible by way of pricing, social attitudes and land use changes. Older generations amongst whom shooting was a far more common hobby naturally depleting.
All a win for regime mindset (note, that's the British regime regardless of rosette) that sees public firearm ownership as bad.
All a win for regime mindset (note, that's the British regime regardless of rosette) that sees public firearm ownership as bad.
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