Firearms and mental health support

JavaScript is not enabled

Without JavaScript enabled forms will not work.

This page explains the support available to you, and the responsibilities you have, if you are struggling with your mental health. If you’re a firearms certificate holder, you may worry about saying you are not feeling OK. We handle every concern in a supportive and understanding way. Don’t be afraid to seek help – it is the right thing to do for you, your family, friends and community.

1. It's more common than you think

2. Let's all work together

3. Your responsibility

4. The role of police firearms licensing teams

5. Where to turn to for help

It's more common than you think

1 in 4 people are likely to experience low mood, poor mental health or distress in their lifetime. Open dialogue about how you feel is the most important step to take in dealing with these thoughts. When it comes to their own mental health, members of the shooting community need a positive and open relationship with people close to them. This includes support organisations and networks.

Mental health can affect anyone. It is important to talk this through and seek the help you need. If you are struggling with your mental health, see your GP as soon as possible.

Shooting bodies and various other charities can provide more support. Also, talking or psychological therapies, are effective and confidential treatments delivered by professionals. They can help if you’re struggling with feelings of depression, worry, anxiety, PTSD, and other conditions. In England and Wales, you can refer yourself to talking therapies or your GP can refer you to the right support for you.

Let's all work together

Everyone involved in firearms licensing must work together. We need to clear up concerns, as we handle every matter in a supportive and understanding way.

It is important that you know that you can make a difference in helping to keep everyone safe.

Talking to someone who is experiencing mental health challenges, or opening up about your own can be of huge benefit.

Your responsibility

If you have a certificate, it is important to tell the police about a relevant medical condition. The Home Office firearms licensing statutory guidance describes this. It's the right thing to do, to keep everyone safe.

The role of police firearms licensing teams

The priority for police firearms licensing teams is to ensure public safety. It does not mean that every case of poor mental health will result in the loss of certificates. If the police have to assess any concerns about a certificate holder, they will treat each case on its own with care and balance.

The individual will need support, time and space. The police will need to assess any risk to the certificate holder, the people around them and the wider public. The most appropriate option may be to take control of an individual’s guns, on a temporary basis.

To make an informed decision, the police will gather information and may speak with:

family
friends
referees
employers
shooting organisations

They may write or speak to the person’s GP. This is to confirm any medical diagnosis, how any illness impacts on their life, and how they are coping.

After the police have assessed, they may decide to:

Return the guns to the certificate holder, if appropriate to do so
Store the guns away from the owner's home
Apply conditions to a firearms certificate
Suggest that they surrender their certificates, and apply again when their health improves
Revoke the certificates, if appropriate, and if necessary to ensure public safety