After months of delays in firearms licensing, there may be some light a the end of the tunnel.

Holders of firearms have been unable to renew their licence and new owners unable to apply for a licence for months, leading to the likelihood that some will be holding guns illegally.

On November 1, 2021 there was a change to the Home Office Statutory Guidance for the granting and renewal of certificates.

Applicants are now required, at their own expense, to obtain a GP report as part of the new application process.

However, this change resulted in some police licensing departments ceasing to accept grant applications so that GPs could focus on the Covid-19 vaccination programme.

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But now North Yorkshire, Thames Valley, Kent and Northamptonshire firearms licensing departments have revised their policy on grant applications.

The new wording for grant applications states that "if you do not have a completed GP form already, we recommend waiting until February before you apply".

This means that those who have a completed GP form can move forward with the licensing process - and those that do not have a form may also be able to proceed this month.

Bill Harriman, BASC director of firearms, said: “Having openly criticised forces that ceased accepting grant applications, we welcome this change of policy.

“However, the does not allay our concerns that firearms licensing across England and Wales is close to collapsing.

"Delays are running into the months, with eight-week extensions and Section 7 temporary permits being increasingly issued, causing significant complications for certificate holders.”

On February 2, both Dorset Police and Devon and Cornwall Police wrote on their respective websites that their licensing departments are writing to their current licence holders about the change in government guidance.

These changes affect applications made before November 1, 2021 and the post goes on to say: "If you have already submitted a renewal application and are yet to receive your new licence you will need to complete the new medical form unless already done so by yourself.

"If you have already completed a new medical form then you can disregard the letter as we will be working on your application."

On the Avon and Somerset Police it states: "Due to the impact of Covid-19, there are currently extensive delays in the processing of applications for firearms and shotgun licences."

In more positive news, it also says that licence renewal applications are currently being processed on time.

The Wiltshire Police website says: "You now need to send a completed GP form with all grant and renewal applications, but we're aware that GPs are prioritising Covid-19 boosters and vaccinations over everything else at the moment and that could delay getting a form from them.

"For grant applications, if you do not have a completed GP form already, we recommend waiting until February before you apply.

"For renewals, if you can wait until the end of the booster campaign to make your application we recommend that you do, if you can’t or you’re having difficulty getting a completed form from your GP, contact us."

The medical forms can be downloaded from the police websites.