At time of writing (August 2024) it seems to me that several members of the shooting community in Scotland have passed away recently. What happens when a Firearms and/or Air Weapons Certificate holder dies?

Hopefully not like what happened to the late Bill Vaughan (d. 2021) whose family were fleeced to the tune of £2500 for the unnecessary storage of some of his shooting equipment including many items that were not on his FAC. The local police were not aware and neither were his family, that his family could still legally hold onto his kitbag, some lead bullets, stocks without a firearm fitted and empty gun cases. They were charged for storing those things. It is only firearms and live ammunition/hand-loading powder that need to be taken to storage if they cannot be immediately legally passed to anyone who has authority to possess them. Storage can be either with the police or an RFD.  All items not listed on an FAC/AWC are just ‘things’ that anyone can own.

It might not be well known, but the Firearms Act allows for family members to take legal possession of a deceased’s firearms and ammunition until such time as they can be properly disposed of. An application for Form 111 must be made to the local police firearms department.

The Police Scotland site has useful information (Firearms Licensing Dealing with Bereavement – Police Scotland). This has links to documents of interest for surviving families and for FAC holders to prepare them for their passing.

Notes:
Form 111 is the temporary permit that the Police issue. There is no application form for this permit – the relevant person will need to contact the local firearms licensing office at the time to request one as is not available to download online.

It is not possible for the Police to hold details of your executor, power of attorney, lawyer etc. but they can hold information on the location of your keys / lock combination numbers etc. This is held on a secure restricted access site. The information is requested as part of the FAC grant / renewal process (I don’t recall being asked this in the past though) but is not compulsory.

Subject to lawyer agreement, the location of your keys / lock combination numbers etc. can be in a sealed envelope with your lawyer to be opened only under certain stated circumstances (like your death).