Q: I have three shotguns that once belonged to my father. I hold the licence for them, but wonder if you could tell me how I would go about sending…
Bill Harriman
Why do people worry when my gun is safely in its slip?
You don't have to carry your certificate but a photocopy has no legal status
Depression: what it means for gun owners
Anybody can suffer from depression. It is an illness that does not discriminate. Anyone who thinks they are suffering should seek professional help as depression can often be treated by…
Worried about my shotgun certificate renewal
I am applying for a new shotgun licence and when the policeman came to visit he did not even bother to look at my gun safe. Before he left, he…
Gun security in your car – your responsibilities
The shooting season is now well underway and so I think that a timely reminder about gun security in your car would not go amiss. I’m told by my colleague, Detective Chief Superintendent…
Sending a gun to auction – do I have to tell the police?
To the amateur trader, a sale room can seem like a daunting place. Shooting Times asks experienced auctioneer, David Porter, for his tips on buying at auction.
Can I lose my firearms licence because I drink over the recommended weekly limit?
Q: I have applied for the renewal of my licences and have been told by my firearms enquiry officer (FEO) that because I drink more than the Government weekly limit,…
What to do if you have a car crash when you’re transporting your gun
Q: Imagine you are on your way to your shoot, with gun, cartridges and dog in your car, when out of nowhere someone crashes into you. Fortunately neither of you…
Etiquette for Young Guns in the field
Q: I have been part of a syndicate for four years and some of the other Guns have started bringing their children with them to shoot in their place. A…
How many guns can you store in a gun cabinet?
Q: When I got my shotgun licence three years ago I bought a four-gun cabinet. I’ve just bought my fifth shotgun and have been told by my firearms enquiry officer…
The history of airguns
Once the playthings of the aristocracy, later silent military killers, airguns have been around in one guise or another for some time. Bill Harriman looks into their history
Should cartridge colour denote bore?
Q: Why don’t cartridge makers stick to an internationally agreed colour code for different bore sizes as used to be the case (12-bore were red, 16-bore blue and 20-bore yellow)?…
What gun for a novice shooter – who’s also a big, rugby playing lad?
Q: I have recently taken a real interest in shooting through my girlfriend’s family. I will be looking to get myself a gun for next season and was wondering what…
Banned from shooting for life?
Q: I am currently serving a nine-year prison sentence for manslaughter (there was no element of violence in this offence and the court accepted that there was no intention to…
Can I break my gun down into parts to store it?
Q: I need to buy a gun safe for my house, but I don’t have room for a full-size cabinet. I will therefore need to break my gun down into…
Do I have to tell police when I move my gun cabinet?
A: Firearm security is the responsibility of the certificate holder not the police. Read condition 4(a) on your certificate. Police involvement is limited to advice only. You don’t need to tell police when you move…
First invitation to shoot – what now?
A: Congratulations on receiving your invitation to shoot. However, before you mount a gun to shoot at any sentient creature, you need to have plenty of practice at clays. Go to a good…
Don’t discount second-hand side-by-side shotguns
A: English boxlock shotguns represent fantastic value for money because they are rather unfashionable at the moment. The Italian over-and-under carries all before it. A boxlock made between the wars or just after World War II…
Cohabiting? What’s the law on shotgun licences and gunsafes?
A: It always makes practical sense for cohabitees to have each other’s shotguns listed on both their individual certificates. If that is done, there never can be any question about either party having access to…
Should you always buy a gun from a dealer rather than privately?
A: I always think it is a good idea to buy a gun from a dealer rather than from a friend or private person’s advert. Admittedly you will be paying for the dealer’s profit, but…