Slightly over 1 percent of 10,900 applications for new firearm certificates were refused, a smaller proportion than that refused in previous years. Approximately 681,100 shotgun certificates were on issue at the end of 1993, representing the lowest number since 1971 and more than 20 percent fewer than the 882,000 on issue in 1988. Statistics also indicated that 1.4 percent of new applications for shotgun certificates were refused; that 2,440 dealers were registered to sell firearms in 1993, 60 more than in 1992; and that firearm permits granted to visitors covered about 2,300 persons, with a further 5,300 covered by visitor shotgun permits. Brief information is provided on the Firearms Acts 1968 to 1992. 9 tables and 3 figures