The voice of the British countryside was heard loud and clear in Westminster this week. On 23 February, a landmark debate took place in Westminster Hall that saw a unanimous, cross-party rejection of proposals to merge Section 1 (rifles) and Section 2 (shotguns) firearms licensing.
For those of us in the rural community, this is a moment of immense relief and a powerful validation of our way of life.
The Power of the Petition
The UK Firearms Licensing debate was triggered by a staggering 121,000 signatures on an e-petition opposing the merger. This wasn’t just a list of names; it was a clear signal to the Government that the shooting and countryside community would not stand by and watch unnecessary bureaucracy stifle our livelihoods and heritage.
Watch the full debate here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fURXLFk0e7Q
A Unanimous “No” from Across the House
In a rare display of total parliamentary consensus, not a single MP spoke in favour of the proposed merger. Twenty-four MPs from the Conservatives, Labour, SNP, Plaid Cymru, and the Liberal Democrats stood up to argue that the plans were disproportionate and lacked evidence.
The debate highlighted several critical points that resonated with the chamber:
- Essential Tools, Not Just Hobbies: MPs like Ben Lake and Julie Minns emphasised that for farmers and land managers, shotguns are essential tools for pest control and animal welfare—not “sporting accessories.”
- Public Safety vs. Bureaucracy: There was a strong consensus that merging the two systems would do nothing to improve public safety. Instead, it would likely overwhelm already-strained police licensing departments, creating backlogs that could actually undermine safety.
- Economic Vitality: The shooting sector contributes an estimated £3.3 billion to the UK economy and supports 67,000 jobs, many of which are in remote rural areas where alternative employment is scarce.
The Strength of our Community
The public gallery was filled with people from the rural community, providing a visible reminder to MPs of the depth of feeling on this issue. Many MPs noted they had been “inundated” with correspondence from constituents, proving that when “country people” engage with the political process, we can move the needle.
“The anxiety that’s been expressed… is not rooted in resistance to safety. They want dangerous individuals to be prevented from accessing firearms. What they question is whether creating a larger, potentially more congested system, will achieve these outcomes.” — Julie Minns, MP for Carlisle
What Happens Next?
While we are thrilled that these proposals were so decisively overturned in the debating chamber, the work isn’t finished. The Government has confirmed that a public consultation will follow.
This is the next critical phase. We must ensure that the same strength of opposition shown in Parliament is reflected in the official consultation responses.
A Heartfelt Thank You
We are sincerely grateful to every individual who signed the petition, contacted their MP, and attended the debate. A huge thank you goes to Lisa who we work with via our gun register and advertising platform, for taking the bull by the horns and setting the petition up. We also thank the MPs who took the time to understand the nuances of rural life and spoke up for a fair, workable, and evidence-based licensing system.
Stay tuned to our website and social media channels and sign up to our mailing list at the bottom of our homepage. As soon as the consultation is published, we will provide clear guidance on how you can make your voice heard once again.
