Gunmakers.org Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy
Last updated: 14 June 2026
This Privacy Policy explains how The Worshipful Company of Gunmakers uses personal information through this website: www.gunmakers.org.
For this policy, “we”, “us” and “our” means The Worshipful Company of Gunmakers, unless stated otherwise.
Contact details
The Worshipful Company of Gunmakers
The Proof House
48–50 Commercial Road
London
E1 1LP
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7481 2695
Email: clerk@gunmakers.org.uk
ICO registration number: Z245944X
We are the controller of the personal information described in this policy.
1. Scope of this policy
This policy applies to the public website at www.gunmakers.org and to personal information we collect through that website, including contact forms, enquiries, event-related communications and general website use.
Some linked services may be operated separately or may have their own privacy notices. These may include the London Proof House, Proof House operations, the Gunmakers Trust, the members’ login area at members.gunmakers.org.uk, external map, location, payment, event, email, analytics or form services, and social media platforms including LinkedIn and Facebook.
Where another organisation or platform controls how your personal information is used, its own privacy policy will apply.
2. Information we collect
We may collect your name, email address, phone number and message when you submit a form or contact us. We may also collect information connected with membership, prospective membership, events, committees, affiliations, attendance, guests, volunteers, suppliers, apprenticeships, bursaries, charitable activity, civic activity, payments, bookings, donations and finance.
Where relevant, we may collect dietary, access, disability, safeguarding or welfare information needed for an event, visit or activity. We may also collect professional, trade, military, cadet, educational, charitable or firearms-industry-related information where relevant to Company activities.
We may collect photographs, video or audio from events and functions, correspondence and records of enquiries, complaints, requests and decisions, and technical information about your website visit, including IP address, browser, device, pages visited, time of visit, cookie preferences and website analytics data.
This website is not aimed at children. If we collect information about children in connection with events, education, cadets, safeguarding, apprenticeships, bursaries or charitable activities, we will do so only where appropriate and with suitable safeguards.
3. How and why we use personal information
We use personal information to respond to enquiries, manage membership and prospective membership, organise events, functions, visits and attendance, manage payments, donations, accounts and financial records, run committees and Company activities, administer educational, charitable, cadet, apprenticeship or bursary activities, manage access or welfare requirements, operate and improve the website, protect website security, maintain governance and historical records, send permitted communications, and deal with complaints, legal claims, regulatory matters and risk.
We rely on different lawful bases depending on the purpose. These may include contract, where information is needed to provide membership, events or other requested services; legal obligation, where we must keep records or comply with legal, tax, accounting, governance or regulatory duties; legitimate interests, where we have a reasonable need to run the Company, respond to enquiries, manage relationships, preserve records, protect security and promote our activities; and consent, where the law requires it, such as for certain marketing communications or non-essential cookies.
In general, we rely on legitimate interests for enquiries, website operation, security, records, events and Company administration; contract where we provide membership, event attendance or other requested services; legal obligation for accounting, governance, regulatory and legal records; and consent for non-essential cookies and certain marketing communications.
Where we use personal information based on consent, you may withdraw that consent at any time.
4. Special category and sensitive information
We do not normally seek special category information through the public website.
However, we may occasionally receive or need to use information that is sensitive in context, including health, disability, access, dietary, safeguarding or welfare information, depending on the context of an event, activity, application or enquiry. In some cases, this may include special category information under UK GDPR.
Where special category information is used, we will only use it where we have a lawful basis under UK GDPR and a relevant condition under data protection law, such as explicit consent, legal obligations, vital interests, safeguarding, substantial public interest, or archiving where applicable.
5. Website forms
When you submit a form, we use the information you provide to respond to your enquiry and keep an appropriate record.
Form submissions may be processed by our website platform, form handling provider, email provider, CRM, cloud storage or IT support provider.
We do not add website enquiry contacts to a marketing list unless you have asked to receive marketing or we are otherwise permitted to contact you under applicable law.
6. Cookies, analytics and similar technologies
This website uses cookies and similar technologies to make the site work properly, remember choices, protect the site, understand how the site is used and improve the visitor experience.
Cookies and similar technologies may be used by our website platform, analytics tools and form providers. These may include Duda, Google Analytics and HubSpot, depending on the website settings in use.
Essential cookies may be used without consent where the law allows. Non-essential cookies, including analytics, marketing and tracking cookies, will only be used where you have given consent, unless a legal exemption applies.
You can accept, reject or manage non-essential cookies using the cookie controls on this website. You can also block or delete cookies through your browser settings.
Analytics tools, if used, help us understand how visitors use the website and improve content, navigation and performance. Analytics cookies, pixels, scripts, tags or similar technologies will only run where consent has been given, unless the technology is exempt under applicable law.
7. Marketing and communications
We may send Company news, event information, membership communications, fundraising updates, charitable communications or other relevant updates where permitted by UK GDPR and PECR.
Individuals will usually receive marketing emails only where they have consented or where another lawful route applies. Corporate and professional contacts may receive relevant communications where permitted, but may object or opt out. Members and existing contacts may still receive necessary administrative, membership, event or governance messages.
Every marketing email will include a clear way to unsubscribe or opt out. Opting out of marketing will not stop necessary administrative messages, such as event instructions, membership notices, governance information or responses to enquiries.
8. Event photography and video
We may take photographs, video or audio recordings at Company events, functions and activities.
These may be used for website news, newsletters, printed material, social media, press and public relations, internal records, historical records, archive and heritage purposes.
Where practical, we will make attendees aware when photography or filming is taking place. If you have concerns about being photographed or filmed, please tell the organiser or contact us using the details above.
We will take particular care with children, safeguarding matters, private events and sensitive circumstances.
9. Embedded content and external services
This website may include or link to third-party services, including maps, location tools, videos, social media, forms, payment systems, event booking systems, members’ systems or other embedded content.
Examples may include Google Maps, Apple Maps, what3words, LinkedIn, Facebook and the members’ login provider.
If content is embedded rather than simply linked, the third-party service may collect technical information, set cookies or use similar technologies. Those services are controlled by the relevant third party and are subject to their own privacy and cookie policies.
10. Who we share information with
We may share personal information where necessary with website, hosting, CMS, form, email, CRM, database, cloud storage, IT support, security, backup, analytics, payment, accounting, membership, event booking, venue, catering, photography, professional advisory, insurance and legal providers.
We may also share information with Company officers, committees, staff, volunteers and representatives, the London Proof House, the Gunmakers Trust or other connected bodies where appropriate and lawful, and with regulators, public authorities, law enforcement, courts or other bodies where required by law.
We do not sell personal information.
11. International transfers
Some suppliers may process information outside the UK. Where this happens, we will use appropriate safeguards where required, such as adequacy regulations, approved contractual clauses or other lawful transfer mechanisms.
12. How long we keep information
We keep personal information only for as long as needed for the purpose for which it was collected, including legal, accounting, governance, insurance, archive and historical requirements.
General website enquiries are normally kept for up to 24 months after resolution, unless a longer period is needed. Financial and accounting records are normally kept for 6 years. Event, guest, complaint, safeguarding, dispute, legal, membership, governance, photography, publication and archive records may be kept for longer where needed for administration, insurance, legal, civic, livery, heritage, archive or historical purposes.
Cookie consent records are kept for the period set by the consent management system. Analytics data is kept according to the relevant analytics settings and cookie expiry period.
We will not keep ordinary website enquiries indefinitely unless they become part of a continuing relationship, complaint, legal matter, historical record or other valid purpose.
13. Security
We use reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal information against unauthorised access, loss, misuse, alteration or disclosure. These may include access controls, secure systems, supplier checks, staff or volunteer guidance, backup arrangements and internal procedures.
No website, email system or internet transmission can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
14. Your rights
You have rights under UK data protection law. These may include the right to access your personal information, correct inaccurate information, request deletion in certain circumstances, restrict use in certain circumstances, object to certain uses, receive certain information in a portable format, withdraw consent where processing is based on consent, and complain to us or to the Information Commissioner’s Office.
These rights are not absolute and may depend on the circumstances. To exercise your rights, contact us using the details at the top of this policy.
You have the right to object to processing based on legitimate interests and to object to direct marketing at any time.
15. Privacy complaints
If you have a concern about how we use your personal information, please contact us first. We will consider and respond to privacy complaints within a reasonable period and in line with our legal obligations.
You can also complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office:
Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Website: www.ico.org.uk
16. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. The latest version will be published on this page with the updated date shown above.