Humberside Police Firearms Licensing
Humberside Police Firearms Licensing
Firearms licensing information, waiting times, inspection guidance and application resources
Need the latest Humberside Police firearms licensing information? Whether you’re applying for a shotgun certificate or firearm certificate for the first time, renewing an existing certificate or submitting a variation, this guide brings together the latest information in one place. Using official licensing guidance, Freedom of Information (FOI) data obtained directly from Humberside Police and publicly available applicant feedback, we’ve created a practical resource to help you understand the licensing process from start to finish. You’ll also find advice on medical assessments, firearms security inspections, current waiting times, frequently asked questions and how Humberside compares with other firearms licensing departments nationally.
Contact Details & General Info
GP Medical Assessments
Recent Comments & Feedback
Current Waiting Times
FAQ's
Humberside Firearms Licensing Information
Humberside Police’s Firearms Licensing Unit is responsible for processing shotgun and firearm certificate applications, renewals and variations across the force area. The department serves a well-established shooting community supported by clay pigeon shooting grounds, rifle clubs and sporting estates throughout East Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire. Popular venues include East Yorkshire Clay Shooting Ground near Beverley and Hull Rifle Club, while the surrounding countryside provides opportunities for game shooting, pest control and recreational target shooting. According to Freedom of Information data obtained by Gun Cabinets Online, Humberside Police was responsible for 7,204 shotgun certificate holders and 2,608 firearm certificate holders as of June 2026, representing a combined firearms licensing community of 9,812 certificate holders. This guide brings together official firearms licensing information, current waiting times, applicant feedback and practical guidance in one place.
- 7,204 current shotgun certificate holders
- 2,608 current Firearm certificate holders
General Applicant Information
Humberside 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. Postal applications are not routinely accepted, so applicants who need to submit a paper application should contact the Firearms Licensing Unit before doing so to discuss the options available. The firearms licensing department also provides a dedicated email address, online contact form and telephone number for enquiries. While published telephone hours are not currently available, applicants can contact the licensing team during normal office hours or submit enquiries electronically. Anyone 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 may result in unnecessary delays once the inspection has been scheduled.
- Online application system in use
- Postal applications may be accepted. Contact the force to discuss first.
- Telephone number available but no published hours
GP Medical Assessments
Medical information forms an important part of the firearms licensing process, and Humberside Police requires applicants to provide the necessary medical verification for most new shotgun and firearm certificate applications, together with many certificate renewals. It is the applicant’s responsibility to arrange this with their GP or an appropriate medical provider, although individual GP surgeries may follow different procedures and timescales. Some GP practices are willing to complete firearms medical reports as a private service, while others may choose not to offer them. Fees are set independently by each practice and can vary considerably. If your GP is unable to assist, you may wish to use one of the specialist firearms medical providers listed below, or another reputable provider experienced in preparing firearms medical reports accepted by UK police forces. Arranging your medical report early in the application process can help reduce the risk of unnecessary delays later, particularly where GP surgeries have 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 Humberside Police Firearms Licensing is mixed, with most recent discussions focusing on lengthy waiting times for new grant applications and the impact of licensing backlogs. While applicants have expressed frustration at the time taken to receive certificates, others have reported positive communication from the Firearms Licensing Unit and reasonable turnaround times for variations. As with all police forces, individual experiences can vary depending on application type, operational demand and personal circumstances. Recent discussions also suggest the force has been working to reduce its backlog while encouraging applicants to continue using the online application system.
“Waiting time for a grant has gone up to 18 months now”
Firearm Certificate Applicant
Reddit (2025)
“Applied for a variation mid November, heard absolutely nothing, and received the amended FAC mid January. So that’s pretty much two months. Happy with that”
Firearm Certificate Holder
The Stalking Directory (February 2026)
“I spoke to the FEO over the phone (very nice chap)…”
Firearm Certificate Applicant
The Stalking Directory (February 2026)
Current Waiting Times
Humberside Police is currently reporting significant delays to firearms licensing applications, with new grant applications taking considerably longer than the Home Office’s national target of 16 weeks (112 days). In a published service update, the force advises that it is working through a backlog of applications and warns that delays may affect new grants, renewals, variations and transfers. According to the latest Freedom of Information response obtained by Gun Cabinets Online, new shotgun and firearm certificate applications are currently estimated to take around 18 months, while shotgun and firearm certificate renewals are taking 104 and 109 days respectively. Certificate variations are currently estimated at 38 days. The figures below represent the latest processing estimates supplied by Humberside Police.
| Application Type | Response | Reported Wait Time |
|---|---|---|
| Shotgun Certificate (New Grant) | June 2026 | 540 days |
| Firearm Certificate FAC – (New Grant) | June 2026 | 540 days |
| Shotgun Certificate (Renewal) | June 2026 | 104 days |
| Firearm Certificate FAC (Renewal) | June 2026 | 109 days |
| Variation | June 2026 | 38 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 Humberside Police compare with other firearms licensing departments nationally? Freedom of Information data obtained by Gun Cabinets Online shows the force was responsible for approximately 7,204 shotgun certificate holders and 2,608 firearm certificate holders as of June 2026, representing a combined firearms licensing community of 9,812 certificate holders. Humberside serves a diverse shooting community across East Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire, with certificate holders spread across rural farmland, coastal communities and urban areas. The figures below combine 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 provide consistent national comparisons covering performance rankings, certificate holder numbers and annual firearms licensing workloads.
39th/43
National Performance Ranking
9,812
Firearm and Shotgun Certificate Holders
2,255
Applications Received
(Last 12 Months)
2,328
Applications Completed
(Last 12 Months)
Inspection Coming Up? Get Ready Before the Visit
Preparing for your Humberside Police firearms security inspection? Before a certificate can be granted, a Firearms Enquiry Officer will normally inspect your security arrangements to ensure they are suitable for the safe storage of your firearms or shotguns. Choosing a gun cabinet that meets or exceeds BS 7558:1992 can help you prepare with confidence. Explore our best-selling gun cabinets below and be ready before your inspection
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Frequently Asked Questions
According to the latest Freedom of Information response obtained by Gun Cabinets Online, Humberside Police currently estimates new shotgun certificate applications take around 18 months (approximately 540 days) to process. Actual waiting times may vary depending on application volumes, operational demand and individual circumstances.
Yes. Humberside 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 need to submit a paper application should contact the Firearms Licensing Unit beforehand to discuss the options available.
Humberside Police has advised that it is currently working through a backlog of firearms licensing applications, which has resulted in delays affecting new grant applications, renewals, variations and transfers. The force’s latest Freedom of Information response also reports significantly longer processing times for new grant applications than the Home Office’s national target of 16 weeks (112 days).
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 information shown on this page was provided directly by Humberside Police in response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request submitted by Gun Cabinets Online. As part of our nationwide firearms licensing research project, we have spent hundreds of hours submitting FOI requests, reviewing responses and compiling a standardised dataset to help applicants better understand waiting times, processing performance and firearms licensing trends across the UK.
Helpful Guides for Applicants
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