NGO hosts National Firearms Licensing Conference 2026

On Wednesday 4 November, the National Gamekeepers Organisation (NGO) hosted the National Firearms Licensing Conference 2026 at the Englefield Estate in Berkshire. The event brought together police firearms licensing teams from across the UK.

The NGO organised the conference with the British Shooting Sports Council (BSSC) and the College of Policing. Thirty-one police forces were represented, with nearly 100 firearms licensing managers and officers attending. They were joined by colleagues from policing, government and the shooting community.

Speakers included representatives from:

•⁠  ⁠the Home Office
•⁠  ⁠His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS)
•⁠  ⁠the British Shooting Sports Council
•⁠  ⁠the College of Policing

Discussions covered the key issues facing firearms licensing today, including the case for a single licensing authority.

Tim Weston, the NGO's Director of Environment, Policy and Politics, said:

"It is important to get police firearms licensing teams together at a single event, to share ideas and discuss the main topics, such as a single licensing authority. The NGO was happy to provide the setting, working with the police and the British Shooting Sports Council. It was good to welcome so many police forces to Englefield in November."

The NGO believes open and constructive conversations like these are vital to a firearms licensing system that works for the police, the public and the certificate holders who rely on it.

The NGO thanks all the speakers, our partners at the BSSC and the College of Policing, the Englefield Estate, and everyone who attended.