Ever since firearms were invented, they have been disguised as other objects, particularly walking sticks. This is unsurprising, as both a stick and a gun barrel look very similar, even…
Bill Harriman
Do I have to tell the police my shotgun is being repaired?
Q: I need to put my shotgun into a gunsmith for restoring and servicing. When I do so, do I have to tell the police my shotgun is being repaired?…
Percussion musket – is it legal to fire one and does it have to be on my shotgun certificate?
Q: I own several shotguns and have a small collection of antique firearms, which includes a percussion musket from the 1840s. I would like to fire my percussion musket once…
Can I break my gun down into parts to store it?
Knowing the method of breaking a gun into parts is a very useful skill to have – particularly when you’re maintaining and cleaning your shotgun. But is it acceptable to…
Storing guns in the attic: is it legal?
I’ve recently got into shooting and have applied for my shotgun certificate. I know that I need a gun cabinet and I’m thinking of storing guns in the attic in…
Is it legal to carry a shotgun on a motorcycle? And where should I store my shotgun during the shoot lunch?
If you’re a motorcyclist rather than a motorist, is it legal to carry a shotgun on a motorcycle when you’re going to and from a shoot? What if you had…
Should I always carry my shotgun certificate when I’m out in the field?
Is it law that we should carry our shotgun/firearm certificates with us every time we go out with the gun?
Air rifle case – does an air rifle have to be kept in one when you’re on a public footpath?
Q: My son has permission to shoot air rifles on a large estate to control squirrels and rabbits. The estate has a number of public footpaths running through it. He…
Can you legally destroy a shotgun?
Sometimes we have a gun that isn’t worth anything, doesn’t work and really doesn’t deserve any space in your gun cabinet. It may be one you inherited or one that…
Can I go camping with my shotgun?
Camping with shotguns – legal or illegal? Q: I’m planning on going camping with some friends when the weather gets warmer and we’re going to pitch our tents on some…
What’s the law on transporting shotgun cartridges?
A reader wonders if shotgun cartridges create a potential explosive hazard in a vehicle. Bill Harriman advises.
Can I leave a shotgun at my holiday home?
All being well, we’ll be able to go further afield this summer and for those of you lucky to have another property, you could well be wondering if it’s legal…
How the bizarre duck’s foot pistol came into being
The history of the duck’s foot pistol Until practicable revolver designs had been perfected in the 1830s, the only way to increase a gun’s firing rate was to give it…
I forgot to tell the police about my new gun in time. Now what?
Gun notification is a legal commitment when you’re a shooter. You need to tell the police about owning a new firearm within seven days of buying one. So what happens…
What’s the law on moving gun cabinets to a different location?
Do I have to notify the firearms department if I move my gun cabinet to another part of the house?
Can a local registered firearms dealer ‘confiscate’ an air rifle?
All responsible airgunners should know their airgun law correctly so that their activities don’t put the sport into disrepute. But what happens if an air rifle is confiscated by a…
Can I find a steel-proofed English spec side-by-side?
Q: Much has been said about the steel shot debate and it looks inevitable that many old, and often hand-made, guns will be scrapped or become obsolete ornaments. While there…
Can I load ammunition for a friend?
Q: I enjoy loading my own ammunition for my .223 and .243 rifles. I have been asked to do some reloading for a friend. Is this legal and would I…
Husband and wife gun cabinets – do we really need one each?
We all know that as responsible shooters we need to store our firearms securely. But what’s the deal if two partners sharing a home both have guns? Does each individual…
How can my firearms cabinet be opened lawfully?
What arrangements should I make for the orderly disposal of my firearms after my death, and how can my firearms cabinet be opened lawfully?