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 firearms dealer? Here’s what our legal expert advised when a reader felt he had a justified complaint as to how…
Gun laws
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 need their own gun cabinet? And what about the gun cabinet keys – should each partner know where the others…
What should I do about shotgun storage if I’m away?
I intend to take a long holiday away from home and wonder what obligations I am under in respect of storage of my shotguns while I am away?
What are the latest waiting times for shotgun and firearm certificates?
Just how long does it take to receive or renew a shotgun licence or firearms certificate these days. Your firearms and/or shotgun waiting time all depends on where you live. Shotgun licence waiting time in 2019 The table below created by British Association of Shooting & Conservation (BASC) shows the…
Can you leave rifles and shotguns unattended in cars? Am I breaking the law?
I have just completed the DSC Level 1 and was told during the course that I am only allowed to have a rifle in my car while going to and from my stalking ground.
Should a youngster have his or her own shotgun certificate?
Q: I would like to buy my son his first shotgun as a birthday present when he turns 14 this summer. Can he have his own shotgun certificate or is it best to put it on mine? A: Whilst I would suggest the new shotgun should be on yours as…
My shotgun certificate renewal has been refused!
The police have refused to renew my shotgun certificate on the grounds that I pose a threat to public safety or the peace, citing my domestic circumstances, and the fact that I had a shotgun in the boot of my car when the FEO visited - I was about to…
Can I get a shotgun certificate after having a stroke?
Several years ago I had a stroke but I have made a pretty good recovery.
Can I bring a gun over from the USA on my shotgun licence?
I am a relatively new shotgun licence holder and shoot clays. I get on okay with my Browning but I have a shotgun at my brother’s house in the USA that I shoot really well with.
Gun lending rules
Q: When a person lends a shotgun to a non-certificate holder on a private shoot, must the gun be on their certificate? Loans of shotguns and gun lending on private premises is now regulated by the Policing and Crime Act 2017. Section 130 of the act merely states: “A person…
Help! How can I get my guns back from the police?
How can I get my guns back from the police? Last year, the relationship with my longterm partner ended, although not very amicably. Some days later, I received a visit from the firearms department at 9.15 in the evening.
Can the council forbid me from owning a gun?
My council has brought in a tenancy rule that prohibits anyone owning and storing a gun in any of its properties. Can they enforce this legally?
How do I add guns to a firearms certificate?
Q: I have held a shotgun certificate for 40 years, initially for roughshooting, but in recent years, mainly for skeet and DTL. Two years ago I decided that I would like to add FAC to my shooting disciplines and joined my local shooting club as an airgun member, being added to…
Will legal trouble stop my shotgun certificate application?
I would like to apply for a shotgun certificate, but I have a couple of recent cautions. One is from five years ago for criminal damage to my ex-wife's car and another is for harassment 15 months ago.
How many shotguns can I legally hold on my shotgun certificate?
I currently have two 12-bore shotguns on my shotgun certificate. Can you tell me how many shotguns I can legally hold? Also, how much smokeless powder can I store for reloading?
Will I have problems obtaining a firearms certificate?
I am soon to retire and would like to apply for a firearms certificate to take up shooting with a .17HMR for both targets and vermin.
I’ve just received a reminder to renew my shotgun certificate – what should I do next?
I’ve just received my shotgun certificate renewal reminder. Is there a deadline by which time I have to get it back to the police?
Do I need lessons before I get my shotgun licence?
Shotgun licence: I’ve spent some time with a small shoot this season and love it, and I now fancy taking up shooting myself. How do I get started? Can I receive instruction before getting a shotgun licence?
Do my shotguns have to be kept at my home address?
Shotgun licence: If I apply for a shotgun licence do the guns have to be kept at my home address?
How certain police forces are putting obstacles in the way of getting a firearms licence
Sometimes you wonder who makes the law. Is it Parliament or is it the police? Your MP thinks it’s him but in some cases if your Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) doesn’t like what Parliament has decided he makes his own law. I thought it was the responsibility of the…