To all who use black powder,

Many of you will be aware that a number of Firearms licensing Departments are struggling to keep up with demand for firearms renewals. Many make use of eight week extensions, and even longer periods for permits to possess, in order to relieve some of the pressure whilst they deal with the backlog. Whilst this is a good way for applicants to maintain possession of their sporting shotguns etc. it has created a serious anomaly when it comes to muzzle loading weapons that require a separate explosives licence. Those that possess muzzle loading firearms for re-enactment, or sporting use, have found themselves in a situation where they can possess their guns but cannot use them due to the apparent inability of Police licensing departments to extend their powder licence.

Explosives licenses are issued by the Police on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive, acting as their agent. The administration of the Explosives Regulations are overseen by the HSE therefore Police Explosives Licensing Departments have felt that they are bound by the HSE Regulations as laid down, and cannot extend explosives licenses. During several meetings I have argued this situation with The College of Policing and the HSE Explosives Policy Department. The College have been very supportive of the possibility of matching explosives licences with any extension period given by the police and an agreement has now been reached.

As a result an e-mail has been sent to all Firearms Licensing Managers (FLM) advising them that should their department find it necessary to extend a firearms license they should make themselves aware that if there is an explosive licence application associated with the renewal then they can issue an explosive licence to cover the period of the extension until such times the firearms certificate is issued, at which time the certificate and a new explosive licence can be issued.

Currently a firearms renewal can be completed on line but the explosives licence remains a paper application. It is therefore very important that any application for a firearms renewal includes a reference in the notes that an explosives application has been submitted so that the firearms officer dealing with the application is made aware and can deal accordingly under the new agreement.

As usual, any problems then please contact me. I can’t guarantee I will have the answer but I probably know where to find out.

Martin Abbott