Shooting Times Country – 2 September 2026

Summary

Firearms licensing in England and Wales is "not fit for purpose" — HMICFRS' 28 August report found median processing varies from 14 days to 163 days, with 10% of applicants waiting beyond a year — the lead news story in Shooting Times & Country's September 2, 2026 issue, Issue 6,621, priced at £4.50. The cover also tests the Airmaks Arms Krait MKII air rifle and reports that a catapult petition against animal attacks has passed 17,000 signatures. For readers who follow UK firearms regulation, shooting sports and countryside affairs, this issue delivers extensive regulatory reporting alongside field tests.

The HMICFRS report dominates the front half: 38 firearms and explosives licensing units serve 43 forces, a single national authority should be operational by September 2029, and a digital verification system is due by December 2027. A related piece reports that Norfolk certificate holders may wait until 2028 for backlogs to clear, with the force losing £1.2 million a year and making 640 decisions monthly against demand of 820. Other news: Lands End Shooting Club, serving West Cornwall since 1982, was devastated by wildfire; a crowdfunder has an initial £5,000 target running until 10 November. England swept all five team categories at the 2026 Olympic Skeet Home International, with Mitchell Brooker-Smith scoring 99 out of 100 for overall High Gun.

The Beretta 687 Silver Pigeon 500 Years limited edition is featured: 1,526 field and 1,526 sporting shotguns globally. Martin Puddifer's editorial reflects on two decades in fieldsports journalism and notes a lead-free shooting world from 2029. The RC HPF3 lead-free cartridge advertisement lists specific loads: 12-bore 28g to 34g and 20-bore 22g to 24g, using Blue Shot zinc-based alloy. Dog of the Week features Cosmo, a four-year-old cocker spaniel about to start his third season in the beating line.

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Content Guide

▸ Cover Story / Airguns

p. · Czech Mate — The Airmaks Arms Krait MKII on Test
The Krait MKII air rifle is tested as the cover feature. While the full article body was not available in the source material, the headline positions it as a Czech-manufactured pre-charged pneumatic rifle suited to field use. Airgun hunters should assess the Krait MKII's shot count per fill and fill-pressure requirements before purchasing.

▸ News / Licensing

p. · Firearms Licensing "Not Fit for Purpose"
HMICFRS report published 28 August finds 38 FELUs serving 43 forces, with median processing from 14 days (quickest) to 163 days (slowest). Single national authority target: September 2029. Digital verification system due December 2027. BASC surveyed 11,135 certificate holders; more than a quarter waited beyond six months, 10% beyond a year. One FELU had 2,190 unanswered emails and no public telephone number. Chief constables deadline: 1 December.

▸ News / Backlog

p. · Certificate Backlog Could Run to 2028
Norfolk PCC Colin Sutton reports waits of up to two years in East Anglia. The force loses £1.2 million a year on licensing, staffing raised 27%, now makes 640 decisions monthly against demand of 820. Sutton elected at by-election on 16 July, report published 18 August. Certificate holders in Norfolk and Suffolk should submit renewal applications at least six months before expiry.

▸ News / Wildlife Crime

p. · Catapult Petition for Law Against Animal Attacks
A petition calling for a standalone offence of firing a catapult at an animal passed 17,000 signatures since 20 August. Commons debate threshold: 100,000 signatures. Petition number: 777710. Killing a crow or woodpigeon with a catapult in England is not authorised under General Licences GL40, GL41, GL42. Landowners should ensure catapult users on their property understand the legal position.

▸ News / Shooting Ground

p. · Wildfire Destroys Lands End Shooting Ground
Lands End Shooting Club, serving West Cornwall since 1982 (Est 1981), devastated by wildfire. Crowdfunder initial target: £5,000, running until 10 November at bit.ly/landsendbuild. Shoot captains in fire-prone areas should review their dry-season firebreak maintenance.

▸ News / Competition

p. · England Sweep Skeet International
England won all five team categories at the 2026 Olympic Skeet Home International hosted by Eaton Hall. Mitchell Brooker-Smith scored 99 out of 100 for overall High Gun. Full results at cpsa.co.uk.

▸ Editorial

p. · Enjoy Your Sport — Martin Puddifer
The managing editor reflects on two decades in fieldsports journalism and notes the landscape shifting toward a lead-free shooting world from 2029. Free subscriber gift: ShuttleSocks shooting socks worth £20 (page 49). Puddifer's closing advice: "Get out. Shoot. Enjoy."

▸ Firearms / Collecting

p. · Beretta 687 Silver Pigeon 500 Years
Limited global production of 1,526 field and 1,526 sporting shotguns, based on the legendary 680 platform. Presented as "the perfect addition to the gun cabinet and an opportunity to own a piece of history." Collectors should verify the edition number with a Beretta dealer before paying premium prices.

▸ News in Brief

p. · Kennel Club Opens Find a Breeder Listings
The Royal Kennel Club launches a searchable directory this month. Charlotte McNamara, chief canine wellbeing officer, says applications are reviewed against criteria including breeding only breed-standard colours. Puppy buyers should use the directory to find breeders meeting the Good Practice health standard.

▸ Regulars

p. · Leader: Enjoy Your Sport
p. · Reader Survey — Win £500 of Jack Pyke Gear
p. · Dog of the Week — Cosmo
p. · Advertisers' Index

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Editor's Take

A strong regulatory-news issue that earns its cover price through the HMICFRS licensing report alone — the 14-to-163-day processing range, 11,135-citizen survey, and 1 December chief-constable deadline are concrete data points. The Norfolk backlog piece adds regional depth with the £1.2 million annual loss figure. Weaknesses: the cover-story Airmaks Krait MKII test has no article body available in the source, and the Beretta 687 piece is effectively a press release. Best for practising shooters facing licence-renewal delays and land managers tracking regulatory change; airgun enthusiasts will find only a headline where they expected test data.

Strengths
• HMICFRS licensing report provides 14-to-163-day processing range and 11,135-survey sample
• Norfolk backlog piece gives exact £1.2m annual loss and 640-vs-820 decision gap
• England Skeet International result names Mitchell Brooker-Smith's 99/100 score

Weaknesses
• Cover-story air-rifle test has no body text available in the source material
• Beretta 687 Silver Pigeons piece reads as manufacturer promotion, not tested review

Verdict: Recommended — Essential reading for anyone affected by firearms-licensing delays in England and Wales.