September 19, 2025 | Firearms and Explosives , Firearms Applications and Certificates
Request Number: FOI/15686
Category: Firearms and Explosives - Firearms Applications and Certificates
Subject: Firearms Licencing
Request and Answer:
Your request for information has now been considered. In respect of Section 1(1)(a) of the Act we can confirm that the Police Service of Northern Ireland does hold information to which your request relates and some of this is being provided to you.
We further consider that some of the information you seek is exempt by virtue of Section 21 of FOIA ,due to it being reasonably accessible by other means; we have provided links to the information where this applies.
We have also provided you with links to guidance issued by the Information Commissioner’s Office which we have followed in responding to your request.
Request 1
What is the current time it takes to process a variation to an existing firearms certificate.
Answer 1
Section 17(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 requires the Police Service of Northern Ireland, when refusing to provide such information (because the information is exempt) to provide you the applicant with a notice which:
- states that fact,
- specifies the exemption in question and
- states (if not otherwise apparent) why the exemption applies.
The exemption is listed below:
Section 21 - Information Reasonably Accessible by Other Means
The full text of exemptions can be found at www.legislation.gov.uk and further guidance on how they operate can be located on the Information Commissioners Office website www.ico.org.uk.
Monthly Firearms and Explosives Branch Performance statistics are published on the Firearms page of the PSNI website. The page can be accessed via this the following link: Firearms and Explosives Branch | PSNI.
Request 2
Is every application for a variation subject to a doctors medical report.
Answer 2
No.
Request 3
Is every application for a variation subject to a security check.
Answer 3
Yes.
Request 4
Because there is a fee for this service does the PSNI set a time frame for firearm certificates to be returned to the applicant in a timely manner.
Answer 4
Section 17(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 requires the Police Service of Northern Ireland, when refusing to provide such information (because the information is exempt) to provide you the applicant with a notice which:
- states that fact,
- specifies the exemption in question and
- states (if not otherwise apparent) why the exemption applies.
The exemption is listed below:
Section 21 - Information Reasonably Accessible by Other Means
The full text of exemptions can be found at www.legislation.gov.uk and further guidance on how they operate can be located on the Information Commissioners Office website www.ico.org.uk.
Monthly Firearms and Explosives Branch Performance statistics and target turnaround times are published on the Firearms page of the PSNI website. The page can be accesses via the following link: Firearms and Explosives Branch | PSNI.