Durham Police Firearms Licensing
Durham Police Firearms Licensing
Firearms licensing information, waiting times, inspection guidance and application resources
Looking for current Durham Police firearms licensing waiting times, contact details or application guidance? This page combines official licensing information with Freedom of Information (FOI) data obtained directly from Durham Constabulary to help shotgun and firearm certificate applicants understand current processing times, application requirements and what to expect during the licensing process.
Contact Details & General Info
GP Medical Assessments
Recent Comments & Feedback
Current Waiting Times
FAQ's
Durham Firearms Licensing Information
Durham Constabulary’s Firearms Licensing Unit is responsible for administering shotgun and firearm certificate applications across County Durham and Darlington. This includes processing new grant applications, renewals, variations and ongoing certificate management to ensure applicants continue to meet the legal requirements for firearm ownership. The force serves a well-established shooting community supported by a number of local clay pigeon shooting grounds, rifle clubs and game shoots throughout the county. Notable venues include South Durham Shooting Ground near Darlington and Consett & District Gun Club, while the surrounding countryside provides opportunities for game and vermin shooting across agricultural and sporting estates. According to Freedom of Information data obtained by Gun Cabinets Online, Durham Constabulary was responsible for 4,734 shotgun certificate holders and 2,194 firearm certificate holders as of June 2026, representing a combined firearms licensing community of 6,928 certificate holders. This guide brings together official licensing information, current waiting times and practical advice to help applicants understand the firearms licensing process from application through to certificate grant or renewal.
- 4,734 current shotgun certificate holders
- 2,194 current Firearm certificate holders
General Applicant Information
Durham Police accepts applications for shotgun certificates, firearm certificates, renewals and certificate variations through its online firearms licensing portal, which is the preferred method of application. Applicants can upload supporting documentation electronically and submit applications directly to the Firearms Licensing Unit. Postal applications are not routinely accepted, so anyone unable to apply online should contact the licensing department before submitting paper forms to discuss the options available. Durham Police also provides a dedicated firearms licensing email address and telephone number for enquiries. The Firearms Licensing Unit’s published telephone hours are 9:00am to 4:00pm. Applicants preparing for a grant application should ensure suitable firearm security is installed before a Firearms Enquiry Officer visit is arranged, as any issues identified during the security inspection stage can result in unnecessary delays to the application process.
- Online application system in use
- Postal applications may be accepted. Contact the force to discuss first.
- Telephone number available (Mon-Fri 9-4)
GP Medical Assessments
As with all police forces, Durham Police requires medical information to support most new firearm and shotgun certificate applications, as well as many renewals. Applicants are responsible for arranging the medical verification required as part of the licensing process, although individual GP surgeries may operate different procedures and timescales for completing firearms medical reports. Some GP practices provide firearms medical reports as a private service, while others may decline to complete them. Fees also vary between surgeries and are set independently by each practice. If your GP is unable to assist, you may wish to consider using one of the specialist firearms medical providers listed below, or another reputable provider offering firearms medical reports accepted by UK police forces. Obtaining your medical report promptly can help prevent unnecessary delays once your application reaches the assessment stage, particularly if your GP surgery has longer waiting times for non-NHS administrative work.
- MedCert
Tel: 020 8063 4503 / medcert.co.uk - ShootCert
Tel: none-provided / shootcert.co.uk - Firearms Medicals
Tel: 0333 0153 611 / firearmsmedicals.co.uk
Previous and Current Applicant Reports
Publicly available feedback relating to Durham Police Firearms Licensing is generally positive, with recent applicants praising efficient processing of routine licensing transactions and improvements in overall service. Certificate holders have commented on quick turnaround times for firearm variations, prompt renewals and helpful communication throughout the licensing process, with some describing the department as “on the ball” when handling applications. Earlier discussions highlighted lengthy grant delays during periods of exceptionally high demand, although more recent feedback suggests processing times and applicant experiences have improved significantly. As with all police forces, individual experiences can vary depending on application type, workload and personal circumstances.
“No Contact Whatsoever”
Firearm Certificate Applicant
The Stalking Directory (2026)
“My Grant Took 23 Months”
Firearm Certificate Applicant
The Stalking Directory (2024)
“Waiting Times Depend On Demand”
Certificate Holder Discussion
The Stalking Directory (2026)
Current Waiting Times
Current reported waiting times for Durham Police firearms licensing applications are longer than the Home Office’s national target of 16 weeks (112 days), particularly for new grant applications. According to the latest Freedom of Information response, new shotgun and firearm certificate applications are currently taking around five to six months to process, while renewals are estimated at approximately four months. Durham Constabulary advises that variation times are estimates and can vary depending on the complexity of the application and the information submitted. The figures below represent the most up-to-date estimated processing times provided by the force.
| Application Type | Response | Reported Wait Time |
|---|---|---|
| Shotgun Certificate (New Grant) | June 2026 | 170 days |
| Firearm Certificate FAC – (New Grant) | June 2026 | 159 days |
| Shotgun Certificate (Renewal) | June 2026 | 120 days |
| Firearm Certificate FAC (Renewal) | June 2026 | 119 days |
| Variation | June 2026 | 90 days |
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National Licensing Context
Firearms licensing departments nationally are responsible for more than 627,000 firearm and shotgun certificates. During the year ending March 2025, police forces processed more than 23,000 new applications and over 66,000 renewals, highlighting the significant workload managed by firearms licensing teams.
How does Durham Police compare with other firearms licensing departments nationally? Freedom of Information data obtained by Gun Cabinets Online shows Durham Constabulary was responsible for approximately 4,734 shotgun certificate holders and 2,194 firearm certificate holders as of June 2026, representing a combined firearms licensing community of 6,928 certificate holders. The force serves a well-established shooting community across County Durham and Darlington, with certificate holders spread across both rural and urban areas. The figures below combine official Home Office Firearms Licensing Statistics (2024/25), Freedom of Information data obtained by Gun Cabinets Online, and performance data published by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) to compare national performance rankings, certificate holder numbers and annual firearms licensing workloads using a consistent methodology.
32nd/43
National Performance Ranking
6,928
Firearm and Shotgun Certificate Holders
1,499
Applications Received
(Last 12 Months)
1,442
Applications Completed
(Last 12 Months)
Inspection Coming Up? Get Ready Before the Visit
Having suitable firearm security in place before your inspection can help the process go smoothly. Whether you’re applying for a shotgun certificate or firearm certificate, having a compliant gun cabinet installed and ready for inspection can help avoid unnecessary delays. With Durham Police currently reporting longer processing times for grant applications, ensuring your security arrangements are ready before a Firearms Enquiry Officer visit may help prevent any additional hold-ups. Below are some of our most popular Police Approved gun cabinets and fixing kits chosen by applicants preparing for a firearms security inspection.
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10+ Gun Capacity Gun Cabinets, Electronic Gun Cabinets, Gun Cabinets, HuntGuard Gun Cabinets
HuntGuard Highlander 10 Gun
Original price was: £829.99.£629.99Current price is: £629.99.There is no AI review summary. -
1-3 Gun Capacity Gun Cabinets, Budget Gun Cabinets, Gun Cabinets, HuntGuard Gun Cabinets, Key Access Gun Cabinets
HuntGuard Rangemore 3 Gun
£189.99There is no AI review summary. -
4-9 Gun Capacity Gun Cabinets, Budget Gun Cabinets, Gun Cabinets, HuntGuard Gun Cabinets, Key Access Gun Cabinets
HuntGuard Rangemore 5 Gun
£299.99There is no AI review summary. -
Frequently Asked Questions
According to the latest Freedom of Information response obtained by Gun Cabinets Online, Durham Police currently estimates new shotgun certificate applications take around 5.66 months (approximately 170 days) to process. Actual waiting times may vary depending on demand and individual circumstances.
Yes. Durham Police accepts online applications for new grants, renewals and certificate variations through its firearms licensing portal. Postal applications are not routinely accepted, so applicants who cannot apply online should contact the Firearms Licensing Unit for advice.
Durham Constabulary currently reports estimated grant processing times that exceed the Home Office’s national target of 16 weeks (112 days). Waiting times can be influenced by application volumes, medical information, background enquiries and the resources available within the firearms licensing department.
Applicants should ensure suitable firearm security is purchased, installed and ready before an inspection is arranged. Having a compliant gun cabinet securely fixed to the fabric of the building can help avoid delays and allows the firearms enquiry officer to assess your security arrangements during the visit.
Possibly, but applicants should ensure any cabinet they purchase meets at least BS 7558:1992, the recognised British Standard for gun cabinets. With very low-cost cabinets, it is not always possible to verify build quality, security features or compliance until the cabinet arrives and is inspected. If a cabinet is found to be unsuitable, it will need to be replaced before a certificate can be granted. At Gun Cabinets Online, all of our gun cabinets meet BS 7558:1992, with many models significantly exceeding the standard. You’re also covered by our Police Approved Guarantee, providing additional peace of mind when preparing for a firearms security inspection.
The waiting times shown on this page were provided directly by Durham Constabulary in response to a Freedom of Information request submitted by Gun Cabinets Online. As part of a nationwide firearms licensing research project, our team has spent hundreds of hours submitting FOI requests, reviewing responses and compiling a standardised dataset to help applicants better understand waiting times, processing performance and licensing trends nationally.
Helpful Guides for Applicants
Practical guides to help you prepare for your application, wait times, and inspections.
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