SGC TRADE

GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES MAJOR FIREARMS LICENCE FEE INCREASES AMID SYSTEM INEFFICIENCIES

The government has announced increases of up to 157 percent in firearms licensing fees across England, Scotland, and Wales. The hikes are intended to achieve full cost recovery for police forces, but stakeholders argue they burden rural businesses and firearm owners.

GMK WELCOMES ALI ANGUS AS NEW GENERAL MANAGER

UK distributor GMK, based in Hampshire, has announced

VIKING ARMS WELCOMES KEVIN SAYERS TO THE SPORTING SALES TEAM

Viking Arms Ltd, based in North Yorkshire, has

SPORTSMAN GUN CENTRE REVEALS NEW STAND AND PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS AT BRITISH SHOOTING SHOW

The Sportsman Gun Centre (SGC) is set to

FRUSTRATION OVER FIREARMS FEES

Simon West highlights frustrations with service standards and

FIREARMS LICENSING FEES UPDATE

The Brabners team take an in-depth look at

RANGE RIGHT’S FAMILY SUCCESS

Gill Peters and her son Jake share how

PREPARING FOR RFD RENEWALS

Laura Saunsbury offers essential advice for preparing your

INSIDE EMMETT & STONE

Katie Herbert reveals how Emmett & Stone became

AIRGUN INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

Dave Barham interviews Mike Hurney from The Shooting

MAKE THE MOST OF SHOW SEASON

We are now in the midst of show

GMK WELCOMES ALI ANGUS AS NEW GENERAL MANAGER

UK distributor GMK, based in Hampshire, has announced

Viking Arms appoints Kevin Sayers to the sporting sales team

Viking Arms Ltd, based in North Yorkshire, has

SPORTSMAN GUN CENTRE REVEALS NEW STAND AND PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS AT BRITISH SHOOTING SHOW

The Sportsman Gun Centre (SGC) is set to

BASC funding supports development of digital wildlife crime training

A new digital training academy aimed at improving

HUMANE ANIMAL DISPATCH SCHEME EXPANDS NATIONWIDE

IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK - GIEDRIIUS The Humane Animal

TOUGHER ONLINE KNIFE SALE CHECKS TO IMPACT RETAILERS FOLLOWING SOUTHPORT ATTACK

Retailers selling knives online will face stricter age

FORESTRY RANGER AWARDED SIX-FIGURE SETTLEMENT AFTER RIFLE MALFUNCTION

IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK - WILLIAM BARTON A wildlife ranger

MP INVITES DEFENCE MINISTER TO RHEINMETALL BAE SYSTEMS LAND SITE IN TELFORD

Mark Pritchard, Conservative MP for The Wrekin, in

JOHN RIGBY & CO. CELEBRATES 250 YEARS OF BRITISH GUNMAKING

London gunmaker John Rigby & Co, Britain’s oldest

GOVERNMENT CONFIRMS IT WILL NOT BAN GROUSE SHOOTING

The government has confirmed it has no plans

DARLINGTON AIR RIFLE CHAMPION HONOURED FOR PROMOTING DISABILITY SPORT

Matthew Gleaves, a Darlington-based civil servant and accomplished

NEW FIREARMS FEES: PROGRESS OR MORE FRUSTRATION?

The Labour government’s revised firearms licensing fees follow a long Home Office review. Simon West, executive director of the Gun Trade Association, highlights ongoing frustrations with service standards and calls for greater accountability and improvements.

NEW FIREARMS LICENSING FEES: WHAT GUN TRADERS NEED TO KNOW

The Firearms (Variation of Fees) Order 2025 will come into effect on 5 February 2025. This Order is said to ensure that police forces can recover the full costs of processing firearms licences, the fees in respect of which have not been increased since 2015.

TOP PICKS FROM SPORTSMARKETING

Sportsmarketing (SMK), the UK’s largest air rifle and pistol distributors, continues to expand its range with products designed to meet retailer demand and maximise profit margins. From premium German engineering to innovative replicas and custom branding opportunities, the following highlights provide insight into the key products that can boost your store’s appeal and profitability.

FAMILY VALUES AT THE HEART OF RANGE RIGHT’S GROWTH

With nearly three decades of experience, Range Right has become a cornerstone of the British gun trade. Led by managing director Gill Peters and her son Jake, the family-run business thrives on hard work, strong client relationships, and a dedication to delivering top brands and exceptional service.

WHEN AN INSPECTOR CALLS…

Are you ready for your RFD renewal? Specialist firearms licensing solicitor Laura Saunsbury guides readers through preparing for the all-important police inspection that is central to the RFD certificate renewal process.

SUBSONIC – PROS AND CONS

Subsonic rounds have always been surrounded by mystery or misunderstandings. They are also somewhat complicated from a technical point of view, which might not be widely appreciated. Here, Hexagon Ammunition’s Paul Bradley breaks down what Subsonic rounds are, why they might be used, how they are made, and the pros and cons associated with them.

LEADING OUTFIT INTERNATIONAL’S UK EXPANSION

With a fresh strategy for 2025, Mike Storey takes charge of Seeland and Härkila sales, aiming to drive growth, support retailers, and celebrate Härkila’s 40th anniversary in the UK market.

HOLTS’ RECORD AUCTION AND THE TIMELESS APPEAL OF MUZZLELOADERS

Danish journalist Steen Andersen reflects on his experience at Holts’ record-breaking auction and traditional English shoot.

EMMETT & STONE

We speak to Katie Herbert of Emmett & Stone and discover how one of the most well-respected stores in the industry came to be.

ENABLE TWO FACTOR AUTHENTICATION, NOW

The gun trade operates in a highly sensitive and security conscious way in every regard. We maintain high ethical standards and implement strict processes, yet again and again I see people and businesses falling foul of basic security lapses online by using the same password for everything, having overly simple passwords, clicking on emails without checking the link, and more. The most common kinds of digital security failures are all overcome by two-factor authentication (2FA), writes digital expert Philip Montague

THE STALKING SHOW: BRINGING THE HUNTING COMMUNITY TOGETHER

The Stalking Show, described as an event “created by hunters for hunters,” has become a focal point for the UK’s hunting and stalking community. Founded in 2019, it was born out of a passion for the outdoors and a commitment to showcasing the best the industry has to offer. The show’s organisers, all keen stalkers themselves, bring a unique perspective to its planning and execution, ensuring it meets the needs of visitors and exhibitors alike.

ATA TURQUA RIFLE

Turkey has a reputation for affordable shotguns, and ATA Arms is now entering the centrefire rifle market with the Turqua, its first bolt-action rifle. Prices start at £599.99, with walnut and Monte Carlo stock options available at higher prices, writes Bruce Potts.

NO SHOOTING NO PARTY

Dave Barham talks all things airgun industry with Mike Hurney from The Shooting Party

INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE

Gun Trade Insider offers a detailed examination of the latest developments across various international markets.

FAB DEFENCE®

SPORTSMARKETING

www.sportsmk.co.uk

SGC TRADE

WWW.SGCTRADE.CO.UK

3 BRANDS

Crime Stoppers

KRL

www.kr-l.com

THE STALKING SHOW

www.thestackingshoow.co.uk

FRANCHI

www.franchi.com

BROCOCK

brocock.co.uk

SCHULTZ & LARSEN

SGC TRADE

WWW.SGCTRADE.CO.UK

HULL CARTRIDGE

sam@hullcartridge.co.uk

SGC TRADE

WWW.SGCTRADE.CO.UK

Hill AIR PUMP

www.airriflepump.com

SGC TRADE

sgctrade.co.uk

THE UK'S LARGEST RETAIL SHOOTING SHOW

SHOOTINGSHOW.CO.UK

VIKING ARMS LTD

VIKINGSHOOT.COM

ATN Europe LTD

atneu.uk

RANGE RIGHT LTD

www.range-right.co.uk

BSA 1861

WWW.BSAGUNS.CO.UK

EDGAR BROTHERS

EDGARBROTHERS.COM

GMK Limited