Firearms fee U-turn welcomed after backlash over ‘flawed’ licensing plans

Northern Ireland Justice Minister Naomi Long

The Department of Justice has pulled its controversial consultation on firearms licensing fees following mounting opposition from rural and sporting communities across Northern Ireland, in a move being welcomed as a significant climbdown by critics of the proposals.

The consultation had proposed changes aimed at achieving full cost recovery for firearms licensing, potentially increasing the financial burden on certificate holders at a time when many already face long delays and growing frustration with the current system.

Ulster Unionist Justice Spokesperson Doug Beattie said the decision to withdraw the consultation was “the right course of action” after widespread concern over both the scale of the proposed fee increases and the handling of the process itself.

He said there had been “significant opposition” from across the rural and sporting community, adding that any future proposals must be based on a licensing system that functions properly before certificate holders are asked to cover its full costs.

Concerns over delays and rising costs

The consultation, launched by the Department of Justice, sought views on proposals to introduce full cost recovery for firearms licensing in Northern Ireland — a move that would have shifted more of the financial burden onto gun owners rather than relying on subsidies from the PSNI budget.

It also included proposals relating to firearms exchanges, including changes to the calibres of firearms that could be swapped in a “one-off-one-on” transaction through registered firearms dealers.

Critics argued the proposals risked placing disproportionate costs on lawful certificate holders while longstanding problems within the licensing system remained unresolved.

Among the concerns repeatedly raised were delays in processing applications and renewals, along with an ongoing backlog of appeals affecting certificate holders across Northern Ireland.

Mr Beattie said:

“Before certificate holders are charged the full cost of this service, the service itself must work.

“The delays and appeals backlog must be addressed first, and any future proposals must protect those who hold weapons for personal protection because they are under threat.”

His comments reflect wider concerns within parts of the farming, sporting and rural community, where firearms ownership is often linked to pest control, agriculture, sporting activity and, in some cases, personal security considerations.

Naomi Long confirms consultation withdrawal

Justice Minister Naomi Long confirmed the consultation would be withdrawn following feedback from consultees and stakeholder groups seeking additional information and raising concerns about related issues.

Announcing the decision, the Minister acknowledged the volume of responses already received but said further engagement was needed before any revised proposals could move forward.

She 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.”

The Minister also stressed that firearms licensing fees in Northern Ireland remain heavily subsidised from the core PSNI budget, describing the current situation as unsustainable in the long term.

However, she indicated the Department would now step back to reassess the concerns raised before bringing forward any future consultation.

“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,” she said.

“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.”

Fresh debate likely over future licensing reforms

The withdrawal is likely to be seen as a temporary pause rather than the end of the wider debate over firearms licensing reform in Northern Ireland.

Pressure remains on the Department of Justice and the PSNI to improve processing times, reduce administrative backlogs and modernise aspects of the licensing system, while balancing public safety responsibilities with the concerns of lawful firearm owners.

For many certificate holders across rural parts of Northern Ireland — including areas of County Antrim and Mid and East Antrim — the outcome will be viewed as a significant reprieve from potentially substantial fee increases while questions remain over the efficiency of the current system.

The Department of Justice has indicated further stakeholder engagement will now take place before any revised proposals are brought back for consultation at a later stage.