Firearms Certificate (FAC)
Country: United Kingdom · Minimum age 18 · £79.50 grant / £49 renewal · 5 years
Eligibility & requirements
Required for any “Section 1” firearm — rifles, bolt-action shotguns, larger-capacity shotguns, antique cartridge firearms outside the obsolete-calibre list. The applicant must show good reason for each firearm, suitable land or club access, and an approved gun safe.
What you can own under this licence
| Firearm class | Status | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Shotguns (Section 2) | Permitted | including >3-shot Section 1 shotguns |
| Bolt-action rifles & Section 1 | Permitted | Each calibre listed on the certificate |
| Semi-auto rimfire (.22 LR) | Permitted | .22 LR only |
| Handguns (centre-fire) | Prohibited (any licence) | — |
| Handguns (.22 LR) | Prohibited (any licence) | — |
| Semi-auto centre-fire rifle | Prohibited (any licence) | — |
| Air rifle / pistol | Permitted |
Sources
General information only — confirm with your local firearms registry before applying.