| Description | Statistics on firearms in Scotland |
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| ISBN | (Web Only) |
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| Official Print Publication Date | |
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| Website Publication Date | August 24, 1999 |
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2. Summary
The figures detailed in this bulletin cover the period in which changes to the firearms legislation were made prohibiting, firstly, the possession of large calibre handguns (above .22 calibre) and thereafter small calibre handguns (up to and including .22 calibre). In addition, there was a hand-in period between 1 July and 30 September 1997 for the surrender of large calibre handguns and a further hand-in period between 1 February and 28 February 1998 for the surrender of small calibre handguns. (For further details please refer to Note 6 of the Annex).
- There were 31,072 firearm certificates on issue at the end of 1998, 22 fewer than the previous year and the lowest number ever recorded.
- The total number of applications for a new firearm certificate was 982 in 1998 compared with 1,304 in 1997, a decrease of 322 applications (25 per cent). Twenty applications (2 per cent) were refused. There were 918 cancellations (down from 2,069 in 1997) and 61 revocations of firearm certificates in 1998. The decrease in the number of cancellations can be partly attributed to 1998 not being a year in which renewal of certificates was required (see paragraph 3.5) and that the surrender of large and then small calibre handguns led to variations of the majority of certificates, rather than cancellation.
- As at December 1998, there were 63,100 shot gun certificates on issue, compared with 63,215 in 1997, the lowest level ever recorded.
- The number of applications for a new shot gun certificate was 1,530 in 1998, 231 (13 per cent) less than the number recorded in 1997. Thirty-six applications (2 per cent) were refused. There were 1,509 cancellations and 129 revocations of shot gun certificates in 1998.
- There were 295 registered firearm dealers in Scotland in 1998, 18 fewer than the 1997 figure of 313.
- The number of applications for Visitors' Permits from both EC and non-EC residents in 1998 totalled 3,536 for firearms and 5,777 for shot guns.
- The number of European Firearm Passes on issue at the end of 1998 was 444, compared to 379 in 1997.