The Isle of Man Constabulary’s Firearms Licensing Department is wishing to issue a reminder regarding Firearms certificates.  Currently there are two types of certificates, one for Regulated Weapons and one for Part One Firearms. 
 
The Part One Firearms Certificates currently operate on a triennial renewal process, whereby every 3 years all certificates have to be renewed to remain valid and these all take place at the same time, the latest renewal being April 2017.
 
The Regulated Weapons Certificates originally operated on a Decennial renewal process, whereby everyone had to renew at the same time every 10 years.  This process has changed to a rolling renewal which means that each certificate is valid for 10 years from the date of issue, similar to a driving license.  The date at which you must complete a new application will now be unique to each certificate holder and will be detailed on the certificate.
 
The Constabulary wishes to remind the public and in particular, existing Regulated Weapon Certificate Holders, that it is entirely THEIR responsibility to ensure that they hold a valid certificate and submit a renewal application 3 months prior to the expiry of their existing certificate.  This is to allow due process of the correct checks and balances to take place within the Licensing Department and for a new certificate to be delivered prior to the expiry of the existing certificate.
 
Records are kept within the Licensing Department of certificates up for renewal and Officers are tasked with investigating any breaches of the law with respect to the renewal process.  License holders are asked to check and make note of their renewal dates now but also to notify Police/Firearms Licensing Department of any changes in circumstances where they may no longer have the weapons for which their certificate applies.