Available data on firearm and shotgun certificates granted in England and Wales relating to new and renewal applications are given on Table A. These are taken from the most recent Home Office Statistical Bulletin on firearm certificates, which is available at:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs09/hosb0509.pdf
Due to the transition from in-force data collection systems to the National Firearms Licensing Management System (NFLMS) in 2006, firearm certificates data for 2006-07 are not available centrally. Data for 2008-09 are scheduled for publication on 25 March 2010.
Available information on explosive certificates granted by police forces in England and Wales for acquisition and keeping and acquisition only relates to the period 1998 to 2005-06 and is given in Table B. Data from 2006-07 to 2008-09 cannot be provided due to disproportionate cost. The Home Office ceased collection of explosive certificates data in 2009-10.
Number (rounded) Firearms Shotguns New applications Renewal applications New applications Renewal applications 1998 5,900 11,600 16,900 16,600 1999 5,000 1250 15,600 12,500 2000 5,900 26,200 18,200 141,300 2001 7,100 31,300 22,700 162,400 2002 8,600 28,800 25,600 152,700 2002-03 8,600 25,100 26,100 125,200 2003-04 7,700 14,100 22,500 113,500 2004-05 9,100 18,300 23,400 146,600 2005-06 8,600 29,100 25,200 141,100 2006-072 n/a n/a n/a n/a 2007-08 11,600 30,200 32,400 123,800 n/a denotes figures not available 1 The extension of the period of the certificates from three years to five years in 1995 meant that no renewals were due in 1998 and 1999. Those shown are delayed applications from 1997. Figures for 2003-04 and 2004-05 also reflect the renewal cycle change. 2 Figures are not available due to the transition from in-force data collection systems to the National Firearms Licensing Management System (NFLMS) in 2006.
Acquisition and keeping Acquisition only New applications Renewal applications New applications Renewal applications 1998 1,644 1,843 761 1,366 1999 713 1,340 627 1,452 2000 1,016 2,069 703 1,597 2001 699 2,292 622 1,733 2002 694 1,678 714 1,736 2002-03 647 1,571 662 1,600 2003-041 552 1,997 664 1,444 2004-05 501 2,223 698 1,603 2005-062 456 1,776 695 1,491 1 Excludes data from Metropolitan, Staffordshire and South Yorkshire police forces. 2 Excludes data from Hertfordshire police.