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Firearms

Latest Update

Due to unforeseen circumstances, we are postponing the opening of our General Enquiries Helpline until 2nd February 2021. Calls will be answered, via the non emergency number 101, Tuesday – Thursday each week between 2pm – 4pm.

Due to the Covid 19 pandemic the dedicated online help desk (0800 7839899) will remain suspended.

You will need to obtain a certificate from the police before you can purchase or own any firearm or ammunition in Northern Ireland. Our obligation is to protect the public and ensure their safety, which is why there are certain laws that anyone owning or using firearms must follow.

Firearms & Explosives Branch (FEB) operate a telephone helpline (0800 7839899) specifically for queries relating to the completion of online application forms. The opening hours for this helpline are Monday-Friday, 10am - 12pm and 2pm - 4pm.

Before you ring the helpline, please make sure that you have read the guidance notes that are available below under each type of application form, and in particular please make sure that you have checked to see that both your internet browser and your device operating system are up to date - there are guidance notes below to assist you if you need to update them.

We would like to reiterate that this telephone helpline is ONLY for queries relating to the completion of online application forms. All other queries for FEB should as normal be made between the hours of 2pm-4pm through the non-emergency number 101.