Over 90s in England and Wales granted shotgun licenses

A 103-year-old woman has received a shotgun licence in England and Wales. She is the oldest among 1,526 people over the age of 90 who have been granted firearms certificates, according to Home Office data. Experts are worried about this trend. They believe age-related issues, such as memory loss or dementia, could pose serious risks when combined with firearms. Professor Peter Squires from Brighton University expressed concern about the large number of elderly gun licence holders. Unlike driving licences, people do not need to retake a test for guns to prove they can safely hold a licence. Firearms certificates are valid for five years, and holders must report any health problems. Additionally, Bedfordshire Police granted a shotgun licence to a ten-year-old last year. This was part of a total of 1,157 licences issued to people under 18 in 2024, which included 78 children aged 13 and under. Emma Ambler, an anti-gun campaigner whose sister was killed in a shooting, said it is shocking that both children and elderly people can hold these licences. She fears that without change, the situation could resemble that of the United States. Parents of young applicants must go through suitability checks. Sussex Police, which issued the licence to the 103-year-old woman, stated that every application is carefully assessed for risks.