Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information her Department holds on reasons accepted by police licensing authorities to issue firearms certificates for .50 calibre rifles.

The firearms licensing function in respect of firearm and shotgun certificates is administered by the police. The Home Office does not hold information in relation to those firearms applications. However, in general terms, before granting or renewing a certificate, the chief officer of police must be satisfied that the applicant can be permitted to have the firearm(s)/ammunition in their possession without danger to the public safety or to the peace. There is a range of legitimate reasons to hold firearms in this country, which includes target shooting with these rifles.