As a result of the latest Home Office Guidance on Firearms Licensing Law (December 2021), certificate holders will no longer be permitted to possess self-loading (semi-automatic) handguns for the slaughter or humane destruction of animals upon renewal.
We hope the decision to wait until renewal will allow most certificate holders affected to make alternative arrangements and a letter advising them of the change will also be sent.
(12.38 Humane Killing of Animals
The humane killing of sick, injured or lawfully trapped animals with a firearm is normally confined to those who may deal with such animals on a fairly regular basis. Examples would include veterinary surgeons, RSPCA inspectors, hunt servants, and occupiers of farms and smallholdings. Once such a firearm certificate is granted, the holder is able to use the firearm for the humane killing of any animal should the need arise, subject to any conditions on the certificate. The holder may also use a shot gun when appropriate. Rifles of any centrefire calibre may be suitable for this work. For revolvers and slaughtering instruments under section 3 of the 1997 Act, it is suggested a .32 single (or two) shot revolver is suitable for most circumstances, though larger calibres such as the .38 may be considered if the applicant has to deal regularly with large or dangerous animals (for example, horses, water buffalo, bison, Highland cattle or larger deer species). Police forces should note that self-loading (semi-automatic) handguns should not be authorised for the slaughter or humane destruction of animals, as it is not possible to permanently adapt the capacity of handguns which make use of a removable magazine. Note that section 3 does not refer to the use of any particular cartridge.)