Firearms Licensing

19/01/2021 -

Please be aware that the majority of staff are working remotely, outside the office, at present and as such are contacting you via mobile telephones.

During the current Lockdown restrictions they will leave a mobile number for you to contact them on, specific to that member of the team and your enquiry/application.

If you leave a voicemail message on the usual office landline numbers, it may well be some time before this is monitored and responded to. Apologies for any inconvenience this causes, as we continue to adapt to new working practices.

07/01/2021 -

Until further notice due to the latest CoVid lockdown restrictions, staff will be working in a remote agile capacity. Due to this there will some disruption to our normal operating practices.

This will mean that the daily telephone access between 10 & 11am will have to cease with immediate effect. Our email facility is constantly monitored between Monday and Friday.

Until further notice we would ask you to consider the necessity for Grant Applications, Variation Applications and non-essential requests as they will be significantly delayed and highly unlikely to be processed during this period, as we are looking to reduce home visits and non-essential travel. This will be reviewed in line with Government guidance and advice.

Any Grant or Variation received from this time forward with be returned.

Grants that have been received and payment processed will be held in abeyance and prioritised accordingly, once restrictions allow non-essential visits.

If you have been visited by a Firearms Enquiry Officer as part of a Grant Application, this will continue to be processed.

We continue to process all Renewal Applications as a priority. If we have taken payment, these are being processed. Where a Renewal Application payment is required, we will contact you and take a card payment via your preferred contact number as we no longer accept cheques or postal orders.

08/09/2020

• Variation Payment - All variation applications are subject to assessment and if approved, we will contact you for payment. Unless requested otherwise, please don't contact the office to make payment.

21/08/2020

• We are no longer able to accept cheques for payment of applications. All payments will now be taken by credit or debit card.
   
• Once we receive your application we will phone you for payment. If you have not been contacted within 4 working days of submitting your application (not variations) please contact the department. A delay in receiving payment may result in a delay in processing your application.

12/05/2020

• Please note our telephone lines are open between 10am - 11am (Mon - Fri) for urgent enquiries. Our voicemail service remains unchanged but delays may occur with a response. We recommend contact via [email protected] which is monitored between 8am - 3pm (Mon - Fri)

About us

The Department is responsible for issuing just short of 14,000 certificates for firearms, shotguns and explosives to residents within West Yorkshire. We also provide information and advice for Police Officers, Police Staff and members of the public relating to the lawful ownership of firearms.

The primary objectives of the West Yorkshire Police Firearms Licensing Department are to

• Protect public safety by preventing foreseeable or avoidable harm;
• Deliver an efficient licensing process that is proportionate, rigorous, cost effective, fair and timely;
• Provide a fair and transparent service to the public.