Firearms and regulated weapons certificate

Firearm certificates

These are required for all cartridge rifles and pistols, muzzle loading (black powder) guns and pistols, air rifles with power in excess of 12 ft.lbs/16.3joules, air pistols with power in excess of 6 ft.lbs/8.15joules, and self-loading and pump action shotguns with a magazine capacity in excess of 2 rounds, shotguns with a barrel length of less that 24 inches and sound moderators. 

Regulated Weapon Certificates

These are required for all shotguns, except those mentioned above, all air weapons below the power levels stated above and all crossbows with a draw weight over 1.4kg. See also Regulated Weapons explanatory notes.

The Regulated Weapons in Possession form is for Regulated Weapon Certificate holders to keep a list of the guns they possess and it is a legal requirement for them to do so. It is also advisable to send a copy of the list to the Police Firearms Licensing Deptartment as, in the event of guns being lost or stolen, the police can readily identify your guns if and when they are located.

Please note, it is a criminal offence to possess or to acquire a firearm or regulated weapon without holding a valid certificate or other lawful authority.

Licences issued in the Isle of Man are not valid in the UK or other countries.

When travelling to the UK or abroad Visitor's Firearms Permits must be obtained from the destination country and, if travelling through the UK to another country, from the UK as well. This also applies to holders of Firearms Dealer's Licences. These permits may take several weeks to obtain. Other useful information can be obtained from the British Association for Shooting and Conservation Limited, see link.

Please note that it is a condition of all gun licences for the holder to notify the licensing authority of any change of address without undue delay. Any certificate holder who has changed their address and not yet notified the Firearms Licensing Department, should do so immediately.