Long announces withdrawal of firearms licensing consultation
Date published:
A public consultation on proposals to amend firearm licensing has been withdrawn.
The consultation, conducted by the Department of Justice, was seeking views on proposals to achieve full cost recovery of firearms licensing.
It was also considering proposals to add to the calibres of firearms that may be exchanged in a “one-off-one-on” transaction carried out by a registered firearms dealer.
Announcing the decision to withdraw the public consultation, Justice Minister Naomi 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.
Department officials will seek to engage with stakeholders to understand the concerns raised, explore options and develop proposals to inform a new consultation which will launch at a later date.
Notes to editors:
1 The Department launched the consultation, on 30 March 2026, seeking views on proposals to amend The Firearms (NI) Order 2004, namely Schedule 1A, commonly referred to as the “banded system”, and Schedule 6, firearms licensing fees. The consultation was due to end on 29 May 2026.
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