In a decisive move to close dangerous loopholes, the UK Government has introduced strict new firearms regulations that will see individuals with histories of domestic abuse or violence barred from owning guns.
The sweeping reforms, unveiled on Tuesday, come in response to mounting pressure from bereaved families, coroners, and safety campaigners following a series of high-profile shootings in Sussex and Plymouth.
Tighter Controls After Tragedy
The changes were prompted by deadly incidents such as the 2020 Woodmancote killings and the 2021 Keyham massacre. In both cases, men with known histories of violence or mental health concerns were granted gun licences with fatal consequences.
In a major overhaul of the UK’s gun licensing system, police will now be required to interview family or household members of applicants, a move campaigners say could save lives.
From now on, anyone applying for a firearms licence must undergo a far more rigorous vetting process. This includes mandatory interviews with current or former partners or household members to help uncover any signs of abuse or risk.
Police forces will also carry out enhanced background checks to identify prior convictions, violent behaviour, or undisclosed mental health conditions.
Lessons from Keyham and Woodmancote
The reforms follow a damning inquest into the 2021 Keyham shooting, which labelled the licensing failures as “catastrophic”.
Jake Davison, the 22-year-old perpetrator, legally owned a shotgun despite a documented record of violence. He went on to kill five people, including a three-year-old girl, before turning the weapon on himself.
Similarly, in Woodmancote, Robert Needham used a legally acquired shotgun to murder his partner, Kelly Fitzgibbons, and their two young daughters, Ava and Lexi. It later emerged that Needham had failed to disclose a history of depression and stress, a clear breach that was missed.
Evidence of dishonesty or incomplete medical disclosure will now count heavily against any future applications.
Families Welcome Reforms, But Call for More
Emma Ambler, sister of Kelly Fitzgibbons, cautiously welcomed the tougher stance. “I still believe that holding a gun licence is a privilege and not a right.
The priority has to be the safety of society, and it’s so important to stop these extremely dangerous weapons falling into the wrong hands, which these changes will go some way to doing.”
More Checks, More Referees
Another key change: shotgun licence applicants will now be required to provide two referees instead of one. This brings the shotgun licensing process in line with that of other firearms, addressing another long-standing gap in gun law.
Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson emphasised the importance of tightening controls.
“Only those who meet the highest standards of safety and responsibility should be permitted to use shotguns or firearms, and it is crucial that police have full information about the suitability of all applicants for these lethal weapons.
The events in Woodmancote in 2020, Plymouth in 2021 and other cases provide a tragic reminder of what can happen when these weapons are in the hands of the wrong people, and we must do everything we can to protect the public.”
More Reforms on the Horizon
Looking ahead, further restrictions may be introduced following a public consultation set for later this year. The review will explore additional safeguards around shotgun ownership and seek ways to clamp down on fraudulent private firearms sales.
This follows the horrifying case of Nicholas Prosper in Luton earlier this year. At just 19, Prosper forged a shotgun licence and bought a firearm and 100 cartridges from a legitimate dealer.
He went on to murder his mother, Juliana Falcon, and two siblings, Giselle and Kyle, in a brutal attack. Prosper was later sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum term of 49 years.
This renewed focus on gun law reform represents a significant shift in the UK’s approach to firearms licensing, prioritising public safety over individual entitlement. Campaigners argue it’s long overdue.
As the conversation around domestic abuse and gun access continues to grow, these measures mark a critical step in ensuring such weapons never end up in the wrong hands again.
