JUMPING THE GUN
How 3,602 children are licensed to use shotguns and firearms
THERE are 3,602 firearm and shotgun certificates allowing children in England and Wales to use guns - and 327 shotgun certificates have been given to kids aged 13 and under.
Police forces are left to decide who is granted a firearm or shotgun certificate after they’ve received and reviewed an application.
Certificates usually last five years from the date of issue or renewal and can cover more than one weapon.
In 2016/17, 580,658 certificates for either firearms, shotguns or both - and 3,602 of those were held by children.
A shotgun is classed a smooth bore gun, while a firearm is any other lethal barrelled weapon most commonly a rifle.
Children are not allowed firearm certificates until the age of 14.
However, the figures show 327 children aged 13 and under have shotgun certificates.
A further 3,275 shotgun and firearms certificates are active for teens aged between 14 and 17.
There is no minimum age for applying for a shotgun certificate, but the law bans children from using them without adult supervision until they are 15.
They’re also banned from purchasing ammunition for both firearms and shotguns until they are 18. The figures, published by the Home Office, show the most common age for someone to hold a certificate is 50-64. People in that age range hold 35.7% of all certificates, or 207,110. Those aged over 65 have 158,183 certificates, while those aged 35-49 hold 131,406.
Young adults aged between 18-34 possess 80,357 certificates.
In all, the certificates cover 559,302 firearms including 325,564 rifles - and 1.35 million shotguns.
Some 9,620 new firearms certificates were issued in 2016/17, and 23,128 shotgun certificates.
A total of 795 certificates of both types were refused. certificate is refused if police believe the individual shouldn’t be allowed have a shotgun or firearm under the Firearms Act, or if they don’t have a good reason to own, buy or acquire a shotgun. A Home Office spokesperson said: “The UK has some of the toughest gun laws in the world and firearms licensing is kept under review to safeguard against abuse and to uphold public safety.”