Firearms and explosives licensing
In this section you'll find application information and guidance about:
- Snares and weapon transfers
- Firearms and shotguns
- Explosives
- Registered firearms dealers
- Clubs
- Air weapons
- Visitor Permits and 11(6) Authorities
- Frequently asked questions.
Police Scotland Firearm and Explosives Licensing team perform an important role across Scotland. There are licensing staff based in Aberdeen, Dumfries, Dundee, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Glasgow, Glenrothes, and Inverness.
They are supported by Firearm Enquiry Officers. They carry out enquiries and visits to existing and future certificate holders across Scotland and process certificate applications.
If in doubt you can contact your local Firearms Licensing Processing Centre as shown below. They can be contacted by email or telephone with any queries you may have. Our phone lines will only be open to receive calls between 9am and 12pm, Monday to Friday.
Forth Valley For those individuals who reside in the Forth Valley Area (legacy Central Scotland Police) |
Forth Valley Firearms & Explosives Licensing Falkirk Police Station West Bridge Street Falkirk FK1 5AP TEL: 01324 676283 FirearmsLicensingEast@scotland.police.uk |
Angus Dundee City Perth & Kinross |
Dundee Firearms and Explosives Licensing Police Scotland West Bell Street Dundee DD1 1AD TEL: 01382 596858 |
Edinburgh For those who reside in Edinburgh area with Post Codes EH1 – EH14 and EH27 – EH 30 |
Edinburgh Firearms & Explosives Licensing Fettes Ave Edinburgh EH4 1RB TEL: 0131 311 3297/8 |
Argyll and Bute North, East and South Ayrshire East and West Dunbartonshire Glasgow City Inverclyde North and South Lanarkshire Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire |
By appointment only Glasgow Firearms and Explosives Licensing Clyde Gateway, 2 French Street Glasgow G40 4EH TEL: 01786 895 580 |
Eilean Siar Highland Orkney Islands Shetland Islands Aberdeen City Aberdeenshire Moray |
Inverness Firearms and Explosives Licensing Old Perth Rd Inverness IV2 3SY TEL: 01463 720484 |
Glenrothes For those who reside in Fife, the Scottish Borders, East Lothian, West Lothian and Midlothian out with Post Codes EH27 – EH30 |
Glenrothes Firearms & Explosives Licensing Detroit Rd Glenrothes KY6 2RJ TEL: 01592 418424 |
Dumfries and Galloway |
Dumfries Firearms & Explosives Licensing Cornwall Mount Dumfries DG1 1PZ TEL: 01387 242263 |
Home Office Guidance
Up to date information can be found on the Home Office Guidance page regarding
- Guide on firearms licensing law
- Statutory guidance for police on firearms licensing
- Firearms security handbook
Statistical Publications
- Firearms Licensing Annual Statistical Publication 2023 - 2024
- Firearms Licensing Annual Statistical Publication 2022 - 2023
- Firearms Licensing Annual Statistical Publication 2021 - 2022
- Firearms Licensing Annual Statistical Publication 2020 - 2021
- Firearms Licensing Annual Statistical Publication 2019 - 2020
- Firearms Licensing Annual Statistical Publication 2018 - 2019
Firearms Licensing User Satisfaction Survey Results
- Firearms Licensing User Satisfaction Survey Results 2019/20
- Firearms Licensing User Satisfaction Survey Results 2020/21
- Firearms Licensing User Satisfaction Survey Results 2021/22