Following the success of the British Shooting Show at the NEC, Birmingham, in February, the Firearms and Explosives Licensing team is pleased to announce they will be attending another national event.

Officers and staff will be at a deer stalking show in Stafford on 13 and 14 April to talk through the firearms licensing process and answer any questions people might have. Visit the event website for more information. 

Mitchell Smith, Firearms and Explosives Licensing Decision Maker for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Hertfordshire (BCH) police forces, said: “The British Shooting Show was a great opportunity to speak with around 300 of our license holders and people interested in applying. 

“Building these relationships with the shooting community is an important part of our role. It gives us a chance to explain the licensing process, reinforce its importance, and ultimately ensure the safety of our communities by making sure all firearms are owned and used responsibly and legally.”

Anyone considering purchasing a firearm, such as at an event, should apply for their license approximately four weeks in advance, to ensure they are legally entitled to own it when it comes into their possession. 

License holders are also reminded to start the renewal process for their license five months before the expiry date to allow sufficient time for stringent legal checks to be completed and for the new certificate to be issued.   

Find out more information about firearms licensing on the Bedfordshire Police website.