The Justice Minister has defended the Department of Justice’s controversial proposals to dramatically increase firearms licensing fees in Northern Ireland, despite growing opposition from the rural community and elected representatives. Under the current consultation proposals, the cost of a standard five-year firearm certificate would rise from £98 to £250 – an increase of more than 150 per cent. Other associated fees would also rise significantly as part of the Department’s move towards what it describes as “full cost recovery” for the firearms licensing system.
The Department argues that firearms certificate holders currently contribute only around 40 per cent of the actual administrative cost of licensing, with the remainder subsidised by the public purse. However, this justification overlooks a key concern shared by thousands of lawful firearms users across Northern Ireland: why should certificate holders be asked to pay substantially more for a system that continues to deliver an unacceptable level of service?
For years, farmers, gamekeepers, sporting shooters and others who rely on firearms as part of rural life have faced frustrating delays, inconsistent communication and a licensing process that often falls far short of what users should reasonably expect. Many applicants have experienced lengthy waits for renewals and variations, causing unnecessary stress and uncertainty. While users were promised a more efficient service through modernisation and digital systems, many feel these improvements have yet to materialise in any meaningful way.
Lawful firearms ownership is an essential part of life in many rural communities. It supports pest control, livestock protection, conservation work, land management and sporting activity, while contributing significantly to the wider rural economy. These proposed fee increases risk placing an unfair additional burden on responsible certificate holders who already operate within one of the most tightly regulated systems in the UK.
Importantly, concern over these proposals is not confined to certificate holders or rural organisations. MLAs from across the political spectrum have made clear that they believe the proposed increases are extortionate and difficult to justify, particularly given the ongoing shortcomings of the current licensing system. There is growing cross-party recognition that asking people to pay significantly more without first delivering a demonstrably improved service is simply unacceptable.
This is why Countryside Alliance Ireland has been campaigning strongly against these proposals through our firearms licensing e-lobby. The response from the countryside community has been hugely encouraging. Thousands of supporters have already used the e-lobby to contact their MLAs directly, ensuring that concerns from rural Northern Ireland are being heard loud and clear at Stormont.
That pressure is making a real difference. The issue has now been raised by MLAs across the political spectrum, and there is growing recognition that these proposals cannot simply be waved through without proper scrutiny. Our e-lobby has played a crucial role in ensuring this debate is taking place and in highlighting the strength of opposition among lawful firearms users and rural stakeholders.
But this campaign is far from over. The consultation remains open, and there is still time to influence the outcome. Every single message sent through the e-lobby adds weight to the argument that fee increases of this scale are unjustified unless accompanied by genuine reform and measurable improvements in service delivery.
We need as many people as possible to take part. It only takes a few moments to contact your elected representatives through the Countryside Alliance Ireland e-lobby, but doing so sends a powerful message that rural communities expect fairness, accountability and proper consultation.
This is about far more than just fees. It is about ensuring that responsible firearms certificate holders are treated fairly and that any future changes to the licensing system are proportionate, transparent and supported by meaningful improvements.
Our e-lobby is already having an impact. Now we need even more voices to keep the pressure on.
If you have not yet taken part, now is the time. Add your voice today and help protect fair firearms licensing for Northern Ireland’s countryside community.