Justice Minister Naomi Long has withdrawn a public consultation proposing 153 per cent increases to firearms licensing fees just weeks after its launch. The consultation, which sought to end a £2 million annual taxpayer subsidy of the PSNI’s firearms licensing service, was abandoned on 27 May 2026 following significant pushback from stakeholders.
The Department of Justice had proposed raising the cost of a firearm certificate grant from £98 to £250, alongside inflationary adjustments dating back to June 2025. The move aimed to address a funding crisis where fees currently cover only 40 per cent of the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Firearms and Explosives Branch (FEB) costs. However, concerns raised by shooting organisations, political parties, and rural representatives have forced officials back to the drawing board.
Minister Acknowledges Concerns
In a statement announcing the withdrawal, Minister Long said:
“I wish to acknowledge and thank those that have responded to the consultation to date; however, following its launch, the Department has received feedback and responses from consultees and stakeholder groups seeking additional information and raising concerns on related matters.
“Having considered those issues and in light of recent advice from officials, I have decided to withdraw the consultation at this time.
“Whilst Northern Ireland’s firearms licensing fees continue to be heavily subsidised from the core PSNI budget, I believe that it is important to address the concerns raised and my Department will take time to carefully consider the issues highlighted.
“I hope that by withdrawing the current consultation, it will provide the space for positive engagement, in good faith, to find a way forward as the current situation is not sustainable.”
What Was Proposed
The consultation, which opened on 30 March 2026 and was originally scheduled to close on 29 May 2026, contained two main elements:
- Fee increases: A 153 per cent rise across all firearms licensing fees, adjusted for inflation from June 2025, to achieve “full cost recovery” for the PSNI
- Banded system expansion: Amendments to Schedule 1A of the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 2004 to allow registered firearms dealers to process more “one-off-one-on” exchanges of similar calibre rifles without requiring individual police variation applications
The Department argued that the PSNI spends approximately £3.3 million annually on firearms licensing but recovers only around £1.3 million through current fees. With nearly 54,000 firearm certificate holders and 180,000 firearms registered in Northern Ireland, the £2 million shortfall has been subsidised from mainstream policing budgets since fees were last increased in 2016.
Outstanding Questions and Criticism
The withdrawal follows criticism from political and rural stakeholders. DUP MLA Trevor Clarke, a member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, had called the proposed increases an “unfair and disproportionate attack on farm businesses,” arguing that shooting activities contribute approximately £60 million to the local economy. He questioned why gun owners were being asked to “shoulder the burden” without an independent review of the Firearms and Explosives Branch’s efficiency, staffing levels, and performance.
Historical context suggests long-standing efficiency concerns. A 2018 Northern Ireland Audit Office report identified significant backlogs in application processing, with waits exceeding six months in some cases, and noted that the PSNI lacked clear plans to achieve cost recovery. While the PSNI introduced an online application system in 2017-2018 to improve efficiency, stakeholders continue to report delays.
The proposed hikes also contrasted sharply with recent changes in Great Britain, where firearms licensing fees rose in early 2025 to achieve full cost recovery after a decade of frozen charges. Northern Ireland’s unique legislative framework under the 2004 Order means fee structures require separate consultation and Assembly approval.
What Happens Next
Department officials will now engage directly with stakeholders to “understand the concerns raised, explore options and develop proposals” before launching a fresh consultation at a later, unspecified date. The Minister emphasised that the current subsidy arrangement remains “not sustainable,” suggesting that fee increases of some magnitude are likely inevitable.
The banded system proposals, which aimed to reduce administrative burdens by allowing dealers to process exchanges of similar calibre firearms (such as swapping between .223 and .222 rifles) for a £15 fee rather than requiring police variations, may also be reconsidered as part of this broader review.
Questions for Consideration
- Will the Department consider phased or tiered fee increases to lessen the immediate financial impact on rural businesses and sports shooters?
- Should an independent efficiency review of the Firearms and Explosives Branch precede any fee adjustments to ensure taxpayers and certificate holders receive value for money?
- How will the Minister balance the principle of full cost recovery with ensuring that legitimate firearms ownership for farming, pest control, and sport remains financially accessible?
- Could the banded system reforms proceed separately from fee increases to deliver administrative savings regardless of the pricing structure?
Firearms owners and interested parties should monitor the Department of Justice website for announcements regarding future stakeholder engagement sessions and the launch of the replacement consultation.