Liverpool Bylaw Guide: Firearm & Weapons Permits

Public Safety England 3 Minutes Read ยท published February 12, 2026 Flag of England

Residents of Liverpool, England seeking information on firearm and offensive-weapon permits should note that licensing and enforcement are handled by the police rather than the city council. Merseyside Police operate the local Firearms Licensing Unit and process applications, checks and enforcement for firearms and shotgun certificates; contact details and guidance are published on the force website Merseyside Police Firearms & Shotgun Licences[1]. For national application procedures and core statutory requirements under the Firearms Acts, GOV.UK provides the central guidance and application route for certificates in England Firearms certificates - GOV.UK[2].

If you own or intend to apply for a firearm, contact Merseyside Police early to confirm local requirements.

Penalties & Enforcement

Local enforcement in Liverpool is led by the Merseyside Police Firearms Licensing Unit; offences involving illegal possession, transfer or use of firearms and certain offensive weapons are prosecuted under national firearms legislation. Specific monetary fines and fixed-penalty levels are not listed on the local licence guidance page and vary by offence and court sentence; where numeric penalties or fee amounts are required they should be confirmed with the cited official sources below.[1][2]

  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited pages; many firearm offences are indictable and fines and/or imprisonment are decided in court.
  • Escalation: first, repeat and continuing offences are treated under criminal procedure and sentencing guidelines; specific ranges are not specified on the cited pages.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: revocation or refusal of certificates, seizure of weapons, and criminal prosecution are used as enforcement measures.
  • Enforcer and inspection: Merseyside Police Firearms Licensing Unit enforces licensing, conducts checks and responds to complaints; contact via the force firearms pages.[1]
  • Appeals and review: appeal routes and time limits are determined by statute and court process; specific appeal deadlines are not specified on the cited pages and should be confirmed with the police or the central guidance.[2]
Where the local pages do not specify figures, rely on police guidance and GOV.UK for up-to-date statutory details.

Applications & Forms

Applications for firearm certificates and shotgun certificates are submitted to your local police force; GOV.UK explains the national application process and the information typically required, but the local force handles form submission, identity checks and medical enquiries. The national pages describe the types of certificates and general requirements but do not publish local fees on the central page, so applicants must confirm fee amounts and any additional local procedures directly with Merseyside Police via the link below.[2][1]

  • Application form: submit to Merseyside Police Firearms Licensing Unit; specific local form and submission address are on the force site.[1]
  • Fee: not specified on the cited pages; check Merseyside Police for current local fees and payment methods.
  • Deadlines: statutory timelines for decision and appeals are set by regulation or court practice and are not specified on the cited pages.
Always verify required documents, fees and submission method with Merseyside Police before applying.

Common Violations

  • Possession of an unlicensed firearm or shotgun.
  • Failure to store firearms securely as required by certificate conditions.
  • Transfer or sale without proper declaration or licensing.

FAQ

Who issues firearm and shotgun certificates for Liverpool residents?
Applications are issued and enforced by Merseyside Police Firearms Licensing Unit; see the force guidance for local procedures.[1]
Where do I find the national application rules?
GOV.UK publishes the national guidance for firearms and shotgun certificates and explains the application steps and statutory framework.[2]
What if my certificate is refused or revoked?
Refusals and revocations are subject to statutory process and may be challenged through the courts; specific appeal methods and time limits should be confirmed with the police or legal advice services.

How-To

  1. Check eligibility and legal requirements on GOV.UK and note the documents you will need.[2]
  2. Contact Merseyside Police Firearms Licensing Unit to confirm local forms, fees and the submission address.[1]
  3. Complete the application, arrange any required medical or character references, and submit with ID and payment as instructed by the force.
  4. Attend any interview or inspection and keep records of your application and correspondence.
  5. If refused or revoked, ask the force for the reason, note any time limits, and consider appeal to the appropriate court or seek legal advice.
Keep physical and digital copies of all application documents and correspondence.

Key Takeaways

  • Merseyside Police is the enforcing authority for firearm licensing in Liverpool.
  • Apply via your local police force; GOV.UK sets national rules but local processes and fees vary.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Merseyside Police Firearms & Shotgun Licences
  2. [2] Firearms certificates - GOV.UK

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