The Gun Control Network said allowing children to use powerful weapons, such as shotguns, is “absurd” and warned that weapon security cannot be guaranteed with youngsters.
But the British Association of Shooting and Conservation says teaching children how to enjoy the benefits of responsible shooting is to be encouraged.
At the end of March, 146 children aged under 18 in West Mercia held certificates granting them permission to use shotguns or firearms, according to Home Office data.
They were among 28,158 people in the area permitted to use the weapons.
There is no minimum age to hold a shotgun certificate in England and Wales, but a child must be over 14 to have a firearm certificate.
The figures show 135 shotgun and 11 firearm certificates, granted by West Mercia Police, are held by youngsters aged between 14 and 17 – some of whom could hold both types.
There are also 11 children under the age of 13 who hold shotgun licences in the area.
The law restricts children to the use of firearms for animal slaughter, sport, competition, target shooting and the shooting of vermin.
They cannot purchase their own weapons or ammunition but are entitled to possess some firearms from the age of 14.
And certificate holders under 15 are allowed to borrow shotguns for use under adult supervision but cannot be given a shotgun of their own until they reach 15.
Across England and Wales, 2,084 certificates were held by under-18s as of the end of March, with the youngest holder of a shotgun licence believed to be just seven.
That represents a drop from 2,770 in March 2020, while in West Mercia, the number of children holding certificates rose from 145 over the same period.
Peter Squires, from the UK Gun Control Network, said: “The fact that children can be licensees is a ridiculous anomaly, given that children could never be legally responsible in their own right for the safety and security of the weapon.
“GCN believe firmly that the privilege to own and use a firearm should be tied very closely to the responsibility for its use and security. This cannot be assured with children.”
For anyone to obtain a firearm or shotgun certificate, the chief officer of their local police force must be satisfied that they have good reason to have a weapon, that they are fit to be entrusted with it and that public safety or peace would not be endangered.
Martin Parker, of the BASC, said current legislation benefits those in training for Olympic and Commonwealth shooting disciplines and those being taught pest control techniques.
He added: “Encouraging younger people to enjoy the benefits of responsible shooting, while teaching the principles of safety and self-discipline, is to be encouraged.”
A Home Office spokesperson said the UK had some of the toughest gun laws in the world, with firearm possession subject to stringent controls.
He added: “There are strict controls on young certificate holders who must be thoroughly vetted by the police.’’
I see it’s silly season again when news dries up and the GCN punt a scare story around.
Licenses for under-18s have been a non-issue for 60+ years. Some might reasonably ask why the gun cannot be held on a parent’s license, and the simple answer is that this would require the child to be under the supervision of the parent at all times when shooting (because they’d be borrowing the gun from the parent). If one were simply going to a range and doing some casual shooting (“make gun go bang” USA-style), this would be fine. But since we have a thriving competition circuit and mature firearm culture in the UK, this is not sufficient.
A firearm or shotgun certificate issued to a child comes with the (legally-binding) condition that they do not have independent access to the firearm (a parent/guardian will hold the keys) and must be supervised by an adult when shooting – but of course that adult may be a coach or other person.
This is important for classes when a child might be dropped off for a lesson or training session with a coach. If the gun were licensed to the parent, they would have to remain present throughout – how many people hover over the instructor’s shoulder during swimming lessons? Nobody of course. You drop the child off into the instructor’s supervision.
Likewise for those travelling to competitions, particularly overseas (such as GB’s Amber Hill who won her first World Cup medal at 15). If the gun were licensed to a parent, that parent would have to travel with them to carry the gun through customs. This would be impractical for parents who work for a living and have limited time off – their child would not be able to fulfil Olympic ambitions.
Instead, the gun is licensed to the child but in reality is overseen by the coach and squad manager/chaperones (who will all be licensed individuals themselves).
It’s a sensible and balanced system that weighs public safety with practicality. And it obviously works because there have been *checks notes*… zero incidents from this system in 60+ years.