The UK's Premier Agricultural Machinery and Technology Show

20–21 January 2027, NEC, Birmingham

Event Details

Debate secured to stop 'rural antagonising' shotgun licence merger

Shotgun ownership is an essential tool of work within rural and land-based industries, but has the Government taken a 'one-sided view' which will pose a risk to farmers' livelihoods?

Chris Brayford
clock • 4 min read
"Farmers, pest controllers and gamekeepers are law abiding, vetted and subject to ongoing scrutiny under one of the most stringent firearms licensing regimes in the world. Treating them as part of a broader criminal problem which they have no connection to undermines trust, damages confidence in the licensing system, and unfairly tars responsible people with a criminal brush."
Image:

"Farmers, pest controllers and gamekeepers are law abiding, vetted and subject to ongoing scrutiny under one of the most stringent firearms licensing regimes in the world. Treating them as part of a broader criminal problem which they have no connection to undermines trust, damages confidence in the licensing system, and unfairly tars responsible people with a criminal brush."

Countryside campaigners have taken a decisive first step in a bid to derail the Government's plans to make it harder for people to own a shotgun after a petition reached more than 100,000 signatures in...

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

Login

New to Farmers Guardian? Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights.

article-img-580x358

 

More on Politics

Farm policies in focus in the US after Democrat victory

Farm policies in focus in the US after Democrat victory

Rural voters who traditionally backed the Republicans feel taken for granted

clock 13 November 2026 • 3 min read
First come, first served scrapped for SFI27

First come, first served scrapped for SFI27

The Minister confirmed to Farmers Guardian Defra was considering various methods for next year

clock 11 November 2026 • 3 min read
'Wild west' cattle cull review exposes serious failures by DAERA, says UFU

'Wild west' cattle cull review exposes serious failures by DAERA, says UFU

An independent review into the controversial slaughter of 51 cattle near Fivemiletownby by DAERA officials has been published

Mia Willemsen
clock 11 November 2026 • 4 min read