Q: I’m wondering if we need to have two gun cabinets in our house or whether it would be legal to just have one. I shoot both rifles and shotguns and so have both a firearms licence and a shotgun licence. My wife has taken up shooting in the past…
Gun ownership
Gun ownership comes with many responsibilities.
You need to ensure that your shotgun/firearms certificate is up to date and that your gun is kept securely, according to the law.
You need to be fully aware of the shooting safety rules and follow the all-important shooting etiquette.
Make sure that your gun is safe for use by maintaining it well.
Gun laws change from time to time as new ruling is brought in and you need to be sure you are up to date with what is happening.
If you’re a novice, we have advice on buying your first gun, whether new or second-hand and making sure your gun mount is its best.
Read our articles here which cover the important aspects of gun ownerships, from how to buy a gun, how to apply for your shotgun licence and firearms certificate, the best way to keep your gun secure and the legalities.
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?
Shotgun jargon buster
Even Guns who’ve spent many seasons standing on the peg or walking along hedgerows are sometimes unclear about some shooting terminology. For example, whilst most shooters will know what the action on a gun is, they might be a little less sure about what the top strap is. (Answer below.)…
Can I buy a Purdey or Holland & Holland on a budget?
Is it possible to buy a Purdey or Holland & Holland side-by-side on a budget of between £2,000 to £3,000? If so, would it be reliable for gameshooting all the time and not just for special occasions?
Should I buy a spring-powered airgun or a PCP?
Choosing the right airgun isn’t an easy decision. Once you’ve decided on your budget you will have to think about the power source and it’s this that most buyers usually have the most difficulty over. Years ago the only option was a spring-powered airgun but in the last 15-20 years…
Is it legal to borrow or lend a gun?
At the start of the shooting season you may be shooting with friends who have recently ventured into fieldsports and don’t yet own a shotgun. So what’s the law if you are going shooting with a friend on a formal shoot and the friend, who doesn’t have a shotgun certificate,…
What happens to my gun when I’m at the shoot lunch?
Err on the side of caution when it comes to gun security
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?
Moving house and your gun certificates – what you need to know
When you’re moving house you want everything to run as smoothly as possible. But what should you do if you’re a gun owner? What are the legalities to obey with a firearms or shotgun certificate when you’re moving house? Well, you must tell the local police about your forthcoming move…
Proof marks, serial numbers and how to re-proof a gun
A frequently asked question in our postbag is “how old is my gun or can I date my gun from its serial number?” It’s usually asked by somebody who has just bought a second-hand gun or who is considering it. The guns in question are usually around 20 years old…
What’s the difference between a game and sporting gun?
Can you manage with just the one gun for different types of shooting?
When I am out shooting should I always carry my certificate with me?
Is it law that we should carry our shotgun/firearm certificates with us every time we go out with the gun?
Should I store my gun butt-down or muzzle-down?
Always store guns muzzle down When you put your gun back in your gun cabinet don’t put it butt down. Always store guns muzzle down. The reason for this is that any oil or cleaning fluid left in the bores will run out onto the floor of your gun cabinet.…
Keeping your guns secure and safe – some police advice
When you’re the owner of a gun you need to be vigilant about firearms security. Which means being safe out in the field, when you’re transporting the gun and when you’re storing your gun. The last thing you want to happen is for your gun to fall into the wrong…
How to get a firearm certficate
Advice on how to get your firearm certificate with information on what police are looking for, what counts as good reason to own a firearm and what variations are
We’ve picked out seven excellent gun safes to be considering
Which are the best gun cabinets around? We’ve investigated some options. The law says that guns must be stored in a lockable gun cabinet that meets British standards and is fixed to a secure structure. What the gun cabinet (or gun safe) looks like however is up to you. You…
Where do stolen guns end up?
Should you find a Purdey under the bed when an aged relation shuffles off this mortal coil, there will be a few procedures to follow before you can safely consign it to your gun cabinet as its official new owner. The appearance of an unlicensed shotgun is not uncommon and…
How to get your shotgun certificate
Find out how to apply for a shotgun licence, plus more information on waiting times, fees and the appeals process
A guide to buying your first gun
It's never too soon to start looking at guns with a view to buying your first and any dealer will be happy to reserve a gun until your certificate arrives