PFD report

Samuel John DICKINSON · Prevention of Future Deaths report

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Issued 10 Feb 2026•Manchester West

Report record

Published report and response evidence

This page connects the concerns raised in this report with statements found in recipients’ published responses. A link shows a clear evidence connection; it does not assign responsibility.

View original report
Concerns
3

Raised in this report

Recipients
2

Named on the report

Responses found
2

Of 2 recipients

Stated actions
8

Described in responses

Recipients and published responses

Source document

Full report text

This is the full text from the original published report.

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Concerns and recipient responses

Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.

Concerns raised3

  1. Failure to require General Practitioner practices to record firearms licence holdings in medical records
    Part of recurring concern: Incomplete, inaccurate or unavailable clinical and care records
  2. Failure to require General Practitioner practices to report relevant health issues to firearms licence units
    Part of recurring concern: Unreliable firearms licensing risk assessment and information sharing
  3. Lack of a self-reporting requirement for firearms certificate holders to report relevant illness or mental health conditions
    Part of recurring concern: Unreliable firearms licensing risk assessment and information sharing
Responses linked to these concerns

Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.

Actions described in response An action is something a recipient says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to a concern raised.4

  1. Action

    Roll out digital markers for firearms certificate holders across all GP IT systems in England.

    Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
  2. Action

    Implement a digital firearms marker across GP surgeries to alert doctors about relevant conditions and prompt police notifications.

    Stated by Home OfficeStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
  3. Action

    Review whether and how to mandate the digital firearms marker in future.

    Stated by Home OfficeStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 13 February 2026.

Respondent positions A position is what a recipient says about a concern when it does not describe a specific action.2

  1. Position

    Existing medical suitability controls, GP markers, and police-reporting arrangements are considered sufficient to address relevant-condition recording and reporting concerns.

    Stated by Department of Health and Social CareExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Failure to require General Practitioner practices to record firearms licence holdings in medical records

Wider context from the report

“1. During the course of evidence it was reflected that Firearms Legislation relating to the holding of a shotgun or firearms licence (or both) contains no provision that a person holding a certificate must self report any illness or mental health condition which may give rise to a change in circumstances from the time when a grant of licence has been made, differing from obligations for example on a person holding a driving licence to do so. 2. Further it was stated that there is no obligation or provision requiring a General Practitioner practice to: a. Clearly record the holding of a licence on medical records when advised of the grant, in order to assist with flagging any relevant issues that may need reporting (such as conditions listed on an initial firearms/shotgun application form or renewal) b. Requiring the reporting of such issues on a reasonable basis to a firearms licence unit of a local police force 3. The above were described as ‘gaps’ in the legislation which may give rise to the risk of future death. ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

Yes — Incomplete, inaccurate or unavailable clinical and care records.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Failure to require General Practitioner practices to report relevant health issues to firearms licence units

Wider context from the report

“1. During the course of evidence it was reflected that Firearms Legislation relating to the holding of a shotgun or firearms licence (or both) contains no provision that a person holding a certificate must self report any illness or mental health condition which may give rise to a change in circumstances from the time when a grant of licence has been made, differing from obligations for example on a person holding a driving licence to do so. 2. Further it was stated that there is no obligation or provision requiring a General Practitioner practice to: a. Clearly record the holding of a licence on medical records when advised of the grant, in order to assist with flagging any relevant issues that may need reporting (such as conditions listed on an initial firearms/shotgun application form or renewal) b. Requiring the reporting of such issues on a reasonable basis to a firearms licence unit of a local police force 3. The above were described as ‘gaps’ in the legislation which may give rise to the risk of future death. ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

Yes — Unreliable firearms licensing risk assessment and information sharing.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Lack of a self-reporting requirement for firearms certificate holders to report relevant illness or mental health conditions

Wider context from the report

“1. During the course of evidence it was reflected that Firearms Legislation relating to the holding of a shotgun or firearms licence (or both) contains no provision that a person holding a certificate must self report any illness or mental health condition which may give rise to a change in circumstances from the time when a grant of licence has been made, differing from obligations for example on a person holding a driving licence to do so. 2. Further it was stated that there is no obligation or provision requiring a General Practitioner practice to: a. Clearly record the holding of a licence on medical records when advised of the grant, in order to assist with flagging any relevant issues that may need reporting (such as conditions listed on an initial firearms/shotgun application form or renewal) b. Requiring the reporting of such issues on a reasonable basis to a firearms licence unit of a local police force 3. The above were described as ‘gaps’ in the legislation which may give rise to the risk of future death. ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

Yes — Unreliable firearms licensing risk assessment and information sharing.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Roll out digital markers for firearms certificate holders across all GP IT systems in England.

Verbatim wording from the response

“This process has been further strengthened within GP IT systems, where a GP can add a digital marker to the patient record, to note that the patient has a firearms certificate. This was fully rolled out to all GP IT systems in England by May 2023. If the patient begins to experience a relevant medical condition while the certificate is valid, upon discussion with the GP, the GP will see an alert and upon assessment, can ask the patient to contact the police or the GP can flag this to the police directly, with consent for this provided in the initial application. This allows the police to review the person’s continued suitability, and if necessary, revoke the certificate. Within the existing system there is also provision to record when contact has been made with the police as a result of a digital marker flag.”

Source location

Response from Department of Health and Social Care
Page 2 · response
Published 13 February 2026

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Implement a digital firearms marker across GP surgeries to alert doctors about relevant conditions and prompt police notifications.

Verbatim wording from the response

“person is granted a firearm or shotgun certificate, and this remains on the system for the five years’ duration of the licence. If a certificate holder sees their GP regarding a relevant medical condition during this period, the doctor can advise the police of this, enabling the police to carry out a review as to whether the person remains suitable to have a licence.”

Source location

Response from Home Office
Page 2 · response
Published 13 February 2026

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Review whether and how to mandate the digital firearms marker in future.

Verbatim wording from the response

“A new digital version of the firearms marker was introduced to all GP surgeries in England in May 2023. The digital firearms marker automatically alerts the doctor if a patient is seen regarding a relevant medical condition and reminds the GP to advise the police. This improves the safety of the system and helps to ensure that the firearms marker is not missed by GPs. The data we have on the use of the digital marker shows that it is now being applied by GPs. In 2024-25, over 98,000 digital markers were applied by GPs to the medical record of those granted or renewed a firearm or shotgun certificate and there were over 1,100 cases in which the GP notified the police of a medical concern about a licence holder, following a review prompted by the digital firearms marker.”

Source location

Response from Home Office
Page 2 · response
Published 13 February 2026

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Introduce a licensing condition requiring holders to report new relevant medical conditions or significant worsening of existing conditions to police.

Verbatim wording from the response

“We recognise this as a potential area for strengthening. We are therefore shortly bringing forward a new Statutory Instrument to add a new condition to firearms and shotgun licences to require the holder to inform the police if they begin to suffer from a new relevant medical condition, or if an existing condition significantly worsens, during the lifetime of the licence. This will enable the police to assess whether the change affects the person’s suitability to continue to possess the firearm or shotgun. At the same time, we will also be introducing a new licensing condition to require the licence holder to inform the police if they consult a third-party medical practitioner who is not their GP, to ensure that the police have a full picture of the licence holder’s health.”

Source location

Response from Home Office
Page 1 · response
Published 13 February 2026

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Existing medical suitability controls, GP markers, and police-reporting arrangements are considered sufficient to address relevant-condition recording and reporting concerns.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The Department have worked closely with the Home Office and the British Medical Association to ensure there are strong controls in place in relation to an applicant’s medical suitability which is an important element of the application process that the police consider when deciding if an applicant can hold a firearms or shotgun certificate.”

Source location

Response from Department of Health and Social Care
Page 1 · response
Published 13 February 2026

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Firearms legislation and certificate-holder self-reporting concerns will be led by the Home Office ministerial colleague.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The report raises concerns over firearms legislation relating to shotgun or firearms licensing (or both) and provisions on certificate holders to self-report any illness or mental health condition that may change the circumstances from the time at which the license was granted. My ministerial colleague in the Home Office will lead the response to this concern. The report also raised concerns around the obligation and provision for a General Practitioner to record the holding of a license within medical records to ensure any relevant issues are flagged, and provision for reporting of these issues, by GPs, to the local police force.”

Source location

Response from Department of Health and Social Care
Page 1 · response
Published 13 February 2026

Open published response

Other statements in published responses

These actions and other statements could not be clearly connected to one concern in this report.

Recipient-stated actions An action is something a recipient says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to a concern raised.4

  1. 1

    Work with the Home Office and British Medical Association to establish strong controls for assessing firearms applicants’ medical suitability.

    Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
  2. 2

    Mandate applicants to provide doctors’ information about relevant medical conditions, including mental health conditions and drug or alcohol abuse.

    Stated by Home OfficeStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
  3. 3

    Introduce a licensing condition requiring holders to report consultations with non-GP medical practitioners to police.

    Stated by Home OfficeStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
  4. 4

    Consult on strengthening and aligning shotgun controls with controls for other firearms.

    Stated by Home OfficeStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 13 February 2026.

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Work with the Home Office and British Medical Association to establish strong controls for assessing firearms applicants’ medical suitability.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The Department have worked closely with the Home Office and the British Medical Association to ensure there are strong controls in place in relation to an applicant’s medical suitability which is an important element of the application process that the police consider when deciding if an applicant can hold a firearms or shotgun certificate.”

Source location

Response from Department of Health and Social Care
Page 1 · response
Published 13 February 2026

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Mandate applicants to provide doctors’ information about relevant medical conditions, including mental health conditions and drug or alcohol abuse.

Verbatim wording from the response

“Your second concern is that there is no obligation on GPs to record the holding of a firearms or shotgun licence on the holder’s medical records when advised that such a licence has been granted, or on them to report any relevant medical issues to the police.”

Source location

Response from Home Office
Page 1 · response
Published 13 February 2026

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Introduce a licensing condition requiring holders to report consultations with non-GP medical practitioners to police.

Verbatim wording from the response

“We recognise this as a potential area for strengthening. We are therefore shortly bringing forward a new Statutory Instrument to add a new condition to firearms and shotgun licences to require the holder to inform the police if they begin to suffer from a new relevant medical condition, or if an existing condition significantly worsens, during the lifetime of the licence. This will enable the police to assess whether the change affects the person’s suitability to continue to possess the firearm or shotgun. At the same time, we will also be introducing a new licensing condition to require the licence holder to inform the police if they consult a third-party medical practitioner who is not their GP, to ensure that the police have a full picture of the licence holder’s health.”

Source location

Response from Home Office
Page 1 · response
Published 13 February 2026

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Consult on strengthening and aligning shotgun controls with controls for other firearms.

Verbatim wording from the response

“We are also intending to consult on strengthening shotgun controls in due course. The Government response to the 2023 consultation on firearms licensing, published in February 2025, included a commitment to consult on improving and aligning the controls on shotguns with other firearms.”

Source location

Response from Home Office
Page 2 · response
Published 13 February 2026

Open published response
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Information checked against the published report and official responses · Data reviewed 7 Sep 2026 · About data quality and limitations

Data last updated 7 September 2026