Government gun licensing plans ‘war on the countryside’ as gamekeepers fear the end of shooting

The rural community has branded potential reforms to gun laws as a "war on the countryside," warning that changing gun laws could trigger destruction to the game shooting sector. The sport brings billions of pounds to the UK economy each year, alongside environmental and health benefits for rural communities. But its future is now under threat as the Labour Government has confirmed its intention to consult on converging rifles and shotguns under a single licensing system. This change, if implemented, could represent one of the most significant and damaging shifts to the trade, shooting, and countryside industries in decades.