The Police

As the body charged with licensing the private possession of firearms and shotguns and the registration of firearms dealers, the police service is a key partner in the Council’s day-to-day activity. Central to relations with the police is the Council’s administration of the tripartite Practitioners Group, comprising the shooting associations, the police service and the Home Office. At the group’s regular meetings, the fine detail of matters relating to firearms licensing arising from changes in laws or regulations or Court decisions are addressed and discussed. Close contact is maintained with senior police officers involved with the National Police Chiefs Council Firearms and Explosives Licensing Working Group. The Council actively participates fully in the fight against armed crime and the Secretary is a member of the National Crime Agency’s Criminal Use of Firearms Prevent Board, providing advice and feedback to Government and to senior police officers. It also supports the work of the National Ballistics Intelligence Service.