You don't need a licence to find out whether you love this sport. You do need one to own a rifle, and the application is less mysterious than it looks. Here's how to try shooting today, the three routes to a Firearm Certificate, and what the process involves.
As a guest at a Home Office approved target shooting club you can shoot club rifles under supervision with no certificate at all. Most clubs run open days or will host you for a taster session; it is the normal first step, and the club will walk you through everything. Clay grounds work the same way for shotguns: turn up, get coached, shoot.
Air rifles are the other easy start. In England and Wales, anyone 18 or over can buy and use a sub-12 ft·lb air rifle with no licence (in Scotland you need an Air Weapon Certificate). It is cheap trigger time and most of the marksmanship transfers straight to fullbore.
If you're local to us in Berkshire, ask us: we're happy to point you at clubs and grounds near you.
To be granted a Firearm Certificate you need a good reason for each rifle you want to own. In practice that means one of three routes:
Licensing fees were last raised on 4 June 2026:
On top of the fee, budget for the GP report, a cabinet, and club membership if that's your route. Timescales vary a lot by force: some turn a grant round in weeks, others take months. Apply well before you need it, and renew well before expiry.
The Firearms (Amendment) Rules 2026 revised the application form (Form 201) from 29 September 2026, and from 29 October 2026 only the new form is accepted, for grants and renewals of both certificate types. Three things changed:
Each rifle on your certificate occupies a slot with a calibre against it. Buy from us in person, or buy online from anywhere in the UK and collect from a dealer near you: that's an RFD transfer, and ours are free. Moderators no longer need a slot or a variation since the 2026 law change, so once you hold a valid FAC you can simply buy one.
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New to all of it? Come and see us by appointment: we'd rather spend an hour getting your first rifle right than sell you the wrong one quickly.
No. You can shoot as a supervised guest at a Home Office approved club, or at a clay ground, with no certificate. In England and Wales you can also buy a sub-12 ft·lb air rifle at 18 with no licence.
An FAC covers rifles and requires a good reason for each one, with specified calibres. A SGC covers ordinary shotguns with no stated good reason for sporting use. Both now need two referees. Fees and the five year term are similar; applying for both together costs little more than one.
It varies by police force, from a few weeks to several months. Apply early, make sure your referees and GP respond promptly, and have your cabinet fitted before the home visit.
Yes. Written permission to shoot over land, or booked stalking with a professional, is good reason. The club route is simply the most common for target shooters.
No. You apply for the type and calibre you intend to buy; the certificate then gives you a slot to fill. Talk to us before you apply and we'll help you choose calibres worth asking for.
From 29 September 2026 the application moved to a revised Form 201, and from 29 October 2026 only the new form is accepted. You now declare everyone in your household, including under-18s, and any second home where your firearms will be stored. Certificate holders must also tell police about relevant medical diagnoses or treatment, a worsening condition, or any consultation about a relevant condition outside their own GP practice, including online and private doctors, for the life of the certificate.
You must be 18 to buy a firearm or ammunition. Younger shooters can shoot under supervision at clubs, and certificates can be held younger with restrictions: ask your club or your force's licensing team about your situation.
Last reviewed 9 November 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we'll fix it.