Firearms and Explosives Licencing Policy
1. Statement of Policy
The principle of this policy is to ensure that all firearm, shotguns and explosives in Dyfed & Powys are licensed in accordance with the relevant legislation, and statutory guidance.
The purpose of this policy is to:
- Protect the public through the safe and appropriate licensing of firearms and explosives.
- Deliver a high quality of service to the public.
- Endeavour to deliver the best value service to the certificate holders of Dyfed-Powys Police.
- By proactively discharging their statutory duties, Dyfed-Powys Police is better placed to ensure that those who are unfit or not otherwise lawfully entitled, are not in possession of firearms, ammunition and explosives.
Each application received is dealt with on its own merits; in its day-to-day function Dyfed-Powys Police applies the principles of The Firearms Act 1968 along with its associated amendments. This also takes account of all associated Firearms Rules, along with the Explosives Regulations 2014, the Firearms Licensing Statutory Guidance for Chief Officers of Police and the Home Office Guide on Firearms Law when determining applications.
Applies (but not limited) to: All categories of Dyfed-Powys Police officers and staff, whether full-time, part-time, permanent, fixed term, temporary (including agency staff, associates and contractors), seconded staff and volunteers. Police Officers, staff and volunteers accessing and using Force assets and property must have due regard to the contents of this policy.
2. Policy Scope
This policy applies to any Police Officer or Police Staff member within Dyfed-Powys police who has any involvement with Firearms or Explosives Licensing.
The policy also applies to those members of the public who hold Firearms, Shotgun or Explosives certificates within Dyfed-Powys Police
3. Powers and Policy/Legal Requirements
In applying day-to-day good practice, reference is made to the Firearms Licensing Statutory Guidance for Chief Officers of Police, the Home Office Guidance on Firearms Licensing Law, Administration of Firearms and Explosives Licensing Procedural Good Practice Guide, along with the Authorised Professional Practice (APP)
Internal
- Data Protection Policy
External
- Firearms Act 1968 and its amendments
- Guide on Firearms Licensing Law (Nov 2022)
- Firearms (Variation of Fees) Order 2025
- Offensive Weapons Act 2024
- Policing and Crime Act 2017
- Charging (The Director’s Guidance) – sixth edition (Dec 2020)
- Equality Act 2010
- Data Protection Act 2018 and UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR)
- Freedom of Information Act 2020
- Statutory Guidance for Chief Officers of Police (2023)
4. Options and Contingencies
The Police Owner is the Firearms & Explosives Licensing Specialist, however: -
The Chief Constable
The Chief Constable has delegated their authority under Section 55 of the Firearms Act 1968 (as amended) and Regulation 2(8) of the Explosives Regulations to the Deputy Chief Constable, the Assistant Chief Constable, the Firearms & Explosives Licensing Co-ordinator and Firearms Licensing Manager.
Chief Superintendent Criminal Justice and Custody
Overall responsibility for the strategic and operational performance of the department
Responsibility for audit and review of decisions.
Delegated Authority from the Chief Constable.
The Firearms and Explosives Licencing Co-ordinator/Lead
The Firearms and Explosives Licensing Co-ordinator is responsible by virtue of the Chief Constable’s delegated authority for the issue and renewal of firearms, shotgun and explosives certificates. The Co-ordinator/Lead is also responsible for examining high risk certificate applications and determining whether the same shall be approved, refused, or revoked (as determined in the Statutory Guidance 3.50)
Other areas of responsibility include:
- Decision making using the National Decision-Making model (NDM)
- providing a quarterly report in relation to audit
Firearms Licensing Manager
The Firearms and Explosives Licensing Manager is responsible by virtue of the Chief Constable’s delegated authority for the issue and renewal of firearms, shotgun and explosives certificates. The Co-ordinator/Lead is also responsible for examining certificate applications and determining whether the same shall be approved, refused, or revoked.
Other areas of responsibility include:
- Decision making using the National Decision-Making model (NDM)
All Police Officers and Police Staff involved with Firearms and Explosives Licencing
All Police Officers and Police Staff involved with Firearms and Explosives Licencing must ensure that they have read and understood the policy.
The Code of Ethics principles are relevant to this policy –
- Courage
- Respect and Empathy
- Public Service
5. Take action and review
This policy is owned by the Firearms Licencing Section of the Criminal Justice Department. The review process is conducted by the Firearms and Explosives Licencing Co-Ordinator/Lead on a four year review basis to ensure the continued effectiveness of the policy, and taking into account any changes to legislation, national guidance and approved professional practice.
The effectiveness of the policy is monitored on a regular basis over and above the review period and any major concerns are escalated as appropriate.
Effectiveness of the policy is measured through the regular review of decision files; Dyfed-Powys Police is also subject of TIAA (internal) audits and HMICFRS inspections. Additionally, revocation and refusal to grant or renew certificates are subject of independent scrutiny by the Crown Court via the appeals process as outlined in Section 44 of the Firearms Act 1968. Measuring the number of enquiries directed at the Firearms Licensing team in regard to the policy allows its effectiveness to be measured.
In the case of any queries regarding this policy, it’s content, or associated guidance documentation - individuals should contact:
- Dyfed-Powys Police Firearms and Explosives Licencing Co-ordinator/Lead.
Information on firearms and applying for a firearm, shotgun and/or explosives certificate can also be found on Dyfed-Powys Police’s website. A contact form is available via the website.
CODE OF ETHICS CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE
This policy has been drafted in accordance with the Code of Ethics and has been reviewed on the basis of its content and the supporting evidence and it is deemed compliant with that Code and the principles underpinning it.
HUMAN RIGHTS ACT CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE
This policy has been drafted in accordance with the Human Rights Act and has been reviewed on the basis of its content and the supporting evidence and it is deemed compliant with that Act and the principles underpinning it.
EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT
Section 4 of the Equality Act 2010 sets out the protected characteristics that qualify for protection under the Act as follows: Age; Disability; Gender Reassignment; Marriage and Civil Partnership; Pregnancy and Maternity; Race; Religion or Belief; Sex; Sexual Orientation.
The public sector equality duty places a proactive legal requirement on public bodies to have regard, in the exercise of their functions, to the need to:
- eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation, and any other conduct that is unlawful under the Act;
- advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it;
- foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it.
The equality duty applies to all protected characteristics with the exception of Marriage and Civil Partnership, to which only the duty to have regard to the need to eliminate discrimination applies.
Carrying out an equality impact assessment involves systematically assessing the likely or actual effects of policies on people in respect of all the protected characteristics set out above. An equality impact assessment should be carried out on any policy that is relevant to the public sector equality duty.
EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT COMPLETED: March 2025