Irwin
Member
Hi i was wondering if any brit shooters could point me in the right direction so i can leagly shoot in britain and if some 1 could post the various laws on the weapons we are aloud in britain. thanks to all who reply.
A question to Brit shooters.
- Thread starter Irwin
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Seismic Sam
Member
Haw Haw Haw!!!
[strike] Funniest post I've seen in a LONG time!!! I'm laughing so hard I can hardly tyope..... [/strike]
Mod note: Believe it or not, Britain has a shooting culture that's older than the United States. Despite the draconian UK gun regulations, there are still competitive shooters in the UK, who are deserving of the support of those of us who live in the United States.
-Justin
[strike] Funniest post I've seen in a LONG time!!! I'm laughing so hard I can hardly tyope..... [/strike]
Mod note: Believe it or not, Britain has a shooting culture that's older than the United States. Despite the draconian UK gun regulations, there are still competitive shooters in the UK, who are deserving of the support of those of us who live in the United States.
-Justin
thumbody
Member
Welcome
Irwin welcome to The HighRoad.
We have several British members who will probably be around soon to help you out. Fosbery,Cromlech and a few others.
I know your options are VERY limited but it's not imppossible to go shooting in the UK. Sit back, read and learn.There is a load of good info to be found here.
Irwin welcome to The HighRoad.
We have several British members who will probably be around soon to help you out. Fosbery,Cromlech and a few others.
I know your options are VERY limited but it's not imppossible to go shooting in the UK. Sit back, read and learn.There is a load of good info to be found here.
Fosbery
Member
First, I suggest you try shooting yourself before diving in and trying to get certificates (permits) and stuff.
On October 14th there is an open day at the National Shooting Center in Bisley. Here you will be able to try lots of different shooting disciplines including clay shooting, gallery rifle, black powder pistol, sporting rifle, target rifle, practical rifle and classic/historic rifle. Many gun clubs around the conutry offer open days, sometimes regularily e.g. once a month, othertimes less so, perhaps twice a year.
Unless you are at an open day or other special arrangement, you can't just turn up and shoot without a certificate. You need to apply at the club for a probationary membership. They will give you a form to fill out and you'll need at least one referee to sign it also. I can't remember if you need photos or not... If you do go shooting and like it and want to carry on, you'll first need to become a probationary member of a club as above.
Assuming this is granted, you'll have to attent the club regularily for the next 3 to 6 months. Different clubs work in different ways. Some of them have a specific day each week for probationary members to attend, others will let you turn up whenever. On probationary membership you're assesed for various things and also taught how to shoot safely and how to use the range and follow procedures etc.
Assuming your probationary membership is succesful, you will then be accepted as a full member of the club.
Once you are a full member, you can apply to the police for a firearms certificate. This costs £50 and can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a year to come through. A firearms certificate is what allows you to own firearms. You'll get a form either printed off the web or from a police station. Fill it out, you'll need to give a 'good reason' for your application. This should be 'target shooting'. You'll also need two referees and four identical photographs. Make sure you complete it perfectly and phone your local firearms officer if you have any problems. Any mistakes will likely double the time it takes to get granted as it will have ot be sent back to you then back to them etc. Once you've sent it off, phone up every other week and ask how it's going - after a while they'll say 'sod it' and do yours as quicky as possible. If you make no mistakes, it should come through reasoanbly quickly, perhaps a month or three.
During the process of applying for a firearms certificate (FAC) a police officer will visit your home (at a time arranged between you that is convenient for both parties) and assess the security of the home. If it is not secure enough, you will be given advice on how to make it so. If this advice is not followed, you cannot be granted an FAC. You'll also need to explain how you will sotre the firearm - a gun room or gun cabinet in a secure place like a bedroom is usually what you'll do.
At first, only apply for one firearm and don't dive in for something like a long barreled revolver which is only borderline legal. Make it something sedate, suitable for a newbie, like a Ruger 10/22 or a .303 target rifle.
Common types of weapon allowed on an FAC are semi auto and pump action shotguns, lever action rifles, bolt action rifles, black powder rifles, black powder pistols, straight-pull rifles, single-shot rifles, long barreled revolvers and semi auto .22 RF rifles. There are also some types of pistol allowed for collectors.
Some types of shotgun (break-open types and also semis or pumps with a magazine that holds no more than two rounds) aswell as smooth-bore muskets do not fall under an FAC. Instead, they fall under a shotgun certificate (SGC) which is similar to an FAC but a bit easier and quicker to get hold of and not quite so restrictive.
On October 14th there is an open day at the National Shooting Center in Bisley. Here you will be able to try lots of different shooting disciplines including clay shooting, gallery rifle, black powder pistol, sporting rifle, target rifle, practical rifle and classic/historic rifle. Many gun clubs around the conutry offer open days, sometimes regularily e.g. once a month, othertimes less so, perhaps twice a year.
Unless you are at an open day or other special arrangement, you can't just turn up and shoot without a certificate. You need to apply at the club for a probationary membership. They will give you a form to fill out and you'll need at least one referee to sign it also. I can't remember if you need photos or not... If you do go shooting and like it and want to carry on, you'll first need to become a probationary member of a club as above.
Assuming this is granted, you'll have to attent the club regularily for the next 3 to 6 months. Different clubs work in different ways. Some of them have a specific day each week for probationary members to attend, others will let you turn up whenever. On probationary membership you're assesed for various things and also taught how to shoot safely and how to use the range and follow procedures etc.
Assuming your probationary membership is succesful, you will then be accepted as a full member of the club.
Once you are a full member, you can apply to the police for a firearms certificate. This costs £50 and can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a year to come through. A firearms certificate is what allows you to own firearms. You'll get a form either printed off the web or from a police station. Fill it out, you'll need to give a 'good reason' for your application. This should be 'target shooting'. You'll also need two referees and four identical photographs. Make sure you complete it perfectly and phone your local firearms officer if you have any problems. Any mistakes will likely double the time it takes to get granted as it will have ot be sent back to you then back to them etc. Once you've sent it off, phone up every other week and ask how it's going - after a while they'll say 'sod it' and do yours as quicky as possible. If you make no mistakes, it should come through reasoanbly quickly, perhaps a month or three.
During the process of applying for a firearms certificate (FAC) a police officer will visit your home (at a time arranged between you that is convenient for both parties) and assess the security of the home. If it is not secure enough, you will be given advice on how to make it so. If this advice is not followed, you cannot be granted an FAC. You'll also need to explain how you will sotre the firearm - a gun room or gun cabinet in a secure place like a bedroom is usually what you'll do.
At first, only apply for one firearm and don't dive in for something like a long barreled revolver which is only borderline legal. Make it something sedate, suitable for a newbie, like a Ruger 10/22 or a .303 target rifle.
Common types of weapon allowed on an FAC are semi auto and pump action shotguns, lever action rifles, bolt action rifles, black powder rifles, black powder pistols, straight-pull rifles, single-shot rifles, long barreled revolvers and semi auto .22 RF rifles. There are also some types of pistol allowed for collectors.
Some types of shotgun (break-open types and also semis or pumps with a magazine that holds no more than two rounds) aswell as smooth-bore muskets do not fall under an FAC. Instead, they fall under a shotgun certificate (SGC) which is similar to an FAC but a bit easier and quicker to get hold of and not quite so restrictive.
Fosbery
Member
True, virtually all airguns in the UK require no registration of any kind. There are plenty of airgun clubs and many gun clubs will let you use airguns on their ranges.
Remember that you cannot buy a firearm or airgun until you are 17. You can recieve a firearm as a gift from the age of 14 I believe, but you'll need to know someone else with a firearms certificate who would be willing to give you one for free. However, you can use firearms under adult supervision from any age but you cannot rent them until you are 17. This means that ranges where they let you use club guns for free are fine to use, but ranges where you must pay to use a club gun are not ok until you are 17. I'm not sure about air guns, I can think you can recieve one as a gift from any age. No I dea about renting.
Remember that you cannot buy a firearm or airgun until you are 17. You can recieve a firearm as a gift from the age of 14 I believe, but you'll need to know someone else with a firearms certificate who would be willing to give you one for free. However, you can use firearms under adult supervision from any age but you cannot rent them until you are 17. This means that ranges where they let you use club guns for free are fine to use, but ranges where you must pay to use a club gun are not ok until you are 17. I'm not sure about air guns, I can think you can recieve one as a gift from any age. No I dea about renting.
ROFLMAO!
Fosbery, I think from the context that you meant "I suggest that you try shooting, yourself, before...".
On the first run through the post, I read it as "try shooting yourself", as in "commit suicide because the forms and permits are so hellish".
I've seen the "less restrictive" SGC. The Sealed Knot (English Civ War) types have 'em for their matchlock muskets. They have to go through more crap for an SGC, than I would for a machinegun. Then I showed 'em my VA Concealed Handgun Permit:
The Brit in question stared at it, and said,
"That's a bleedin' library card! Wot's it good for, then?"
Pulled back my jacket, showed the gun IWB, replied,
"Concealed carry of pistol. I don't actually need the card, if I open-carry like a cowboy."
"Gawd! You mean like 007???"
Yep.
fosbery said:
Fosbery, I think from the context that you meant "I suggest that you try shooting, yourself, before...".
On the first run through the post, I read it as "try shooting yourself", as in "commit suicide because the forms and permits are so hellish".
I've seen the "less restrictive" SGC. The Sealed Knot (English Civ War) types have 'em for their matchlock muskets. They have to go through more crap for an SGC, than I would for a machinegun. Then I showed 'em my VA Concealed Handgun Permit:
The Brit in question stared at it, and said,
"That's a bleedin' library card! Wot's it good for, then?"
Pulled back my jacket, showed the gun IWB, replied,
"Concealed carry of pistol. I don't actually need the card, if I open-carry like a cowboy."
"Gawd! You mean like 007???"
Yep.
JesseJames
Member
Crikey!!! Oh wait... that's Australian.
Fosbery
Member
I know, it's ridiculous the ammount of crap we have to put up with. The good thing is that when we eventually mover over to Switzerland or the US we've got so good at filling otu forms that we can pursuade the government of California to give us miniguns and so good at waiting that the waiting times seem like 'I'll just pop out back and wrap it up for you'.
Sorry over the 'shoot yourself' lol, definitely didn't mean for it to come out that way!
Sorry over the 'shoot yourself' lol, definitely didn't mean for it to come out that way!
Irwin
Member
Thanks Fosbery for the great info i have allready tried shooting while i was on holiday in america this summer thats whats made me want to get a firearms licence, while i was there i shot a .22 magnum bolt action rifle and a .308 i think it was a remington m700 or sumit like that ill have to ask me cousin when i fone him, fosbery can u get a ruger 10/22 in britain in .22 magnum or is it restricted? and if u can is the ammo alot more expensive then .22lr or just a little bit? thanks again
Irwin
Irwin
creitzel
Member
Not a Brit but
just wanted to say welcome to the high road
Looks like Fosbery is taking good care of you. He's also educated me, that what I thought were bad firearms laws here in Michigan, really aren't that bad in comparison to what you folks have over there. Hopefully, at some point, you guys will be able to change some of those laws for the better.
Chris
just wanted to say welcome to the high road
Looks like Fosbery is taking good care of you. He's also educated me, that what I thought were bad firearms laws here in Michigan, really aren't that bad in comparison to what you folks have over there. Hopefully, at some point, you guys will be able to change some of those laws for the better.
Chris
Justin
Moderator Emeritus
Irwin, welcome to THR.
You aren't the only UK member here.
The only advice that I can really offer you would be to contact one of the shooting clubs that still operates in the UK.
Other than that, try contacting NRA UK or you might drop a message to Ian over at An English Shooter's Blog.
You aren't the only UK member here.
The only advice that I can really offer you would be to contact one of the shooting clubs that still operates in the UK.
Other than that, try contacting NRA UK or you might drop a message to Ian over at An English Shooter's Blog.
Fosbery
Member
A Ruger 10/22 in .22 WMR is legal, yes.
.22 WMR is about twice the price of .22 LR.
Even if you've tried shooting before, I suggest you try shooting at your local club or wherever you plan to shoot. Many clubs are limited in what sort of firearms they can allow you to shoot there. Also, exactly how you can shoot can be limited. Some clubs have practical shooting, action shooting and so on, but most are pretty sedate, with one lane per person and a paper target.
.22 WMR is about twice the price of .22 LR.
Even if you've tried shooting before, I suggest you try shooting at your local club or wherever you plan to shoot. Many clubs are limited in what sort of firearms they can allow you to shoot there. Also, exactly how you can shoot can be limited. Some clubs have practical shooting, action shooting and so on, but most are pretty sedate, with one lane per person and a paper target.
I was under the understanding that it was now impossible to get handguns or semi-auto rifles of any kind in the UK. My brother lives there and his paperwork shows only shotguns that hold 2 or 3 rounds (pump, O/U/ or S/S) and the only civilian semi auto rifles were de-activated to where you had to manually work the action for each shot. Barrel length for shotguns was something like 28 inches.
Of course they also had no restrictions on magazine size or suppressors. So I saw bolt guns (Rem 700s) modified to take either M-16 or M1A mags. And my brother has got this really nice Sako .22 with a can that is extreemly fun to shoot. (The can is so you don't bother the people who live next door. It would be rude to interupt their tea with a bunch of popping noises coming from next door).
Of course they also had no restrictions on magazine size or suppressors. So I saw bolt guns (Rem 700s) modified to take either M-16 or M1A mags. And my brother has got this really nice Sako .22 with a can that is extreemly fun to shoot. (The can is so you don't bother the people who live next door. It would be rude to interupt their tea with a bunch of popping noises coming from next door).
Fosbery
Member
I fought the self-loading rifle ban in 1988 but it went through all the same. But we got to keep self loading .22 rimfire rifles. I fought the pistol ban in 1996 and again it went through anyway. But we got to keep .22 pistols (and black powder ones). I fought the pistol ban in 1997 but it went through anyway and we lost .22 pistols, but kept blackpowder ones. I'm just waiting to see what we lose next
Your brother must have a shotgun certificate for his shotguns. On a shotgun certificate you can have shotguns and smoothbore muskets that either have no magazine, or have a non-detachable magazine capable of holding no more than two rounds. The barrel must also be at least 24" in length.
On a firearms certificate you can have whatever magazine capacity you like, but again the barrel must be no less than 24" in length. Practical shotgun is very popular here, I've seen people with Benellis and Remingtons with 15 round magazines
Your brother must have a shotgun certificate for his shotguns. On a shotgun certificate you can have shotguns and smoothbore muskets that either have no magazine, or have a non-detachable magazine capable of holding no more than two rounds. The barrel must also be at least 24" in length.
On a firearms certificate you can have whatever magazine capacity you like, but again the barrel must be no less than 24" in length. Practical shotgun is very popular here, I've seen people with Benellis and Remingtons with 15 round magazines
Fosbery
Member
Aye, I've had no problem getting supressors in the past. My firearms officer laughed when I started coming up with all the reasons why I needed one and just said "Don't worry about it, nobody cares" but I think he's really great, much better than a lot of the firearms officers out there and he's a big shooter himself. I count myself lucky.
Funnily enough, supressors are so easy to get precisely because of the fear of guns in Britain. A lot of shooting (as in live quarry) goes on quite near to public roads and residential areas or houses. We can't have anyone hearing gunshots, it might upset civillians at their breakfast, so most people moderate their working guns.
Funnily enough, supressors are so easy to get precisely because of the fear of guns in Britain. A lot of shooting (as in live quarry) goes on quite near to public roads and residential areas or houses. We can't have anyone hearing gunshots, it might upset civillians at their breakfast, so most people moderate their working guns.
G36-UK
Member
Considering what I've heard from a few FAC holders, I'm sure he did mean that.
carpettbaggerr
Member
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What's "live quarry" shooting? Some sort of hunting? Or a construction process?
@ Irwin
I would suggest joining the rifle club first, before settling on a particular cartridge/weapon combination, for these reasons:
1) Clubs have their own rules about what weapons can be fired there. For example at my club, I wouldn't be able to have a .22 Magnum or any centrefire rifle at all. The reason is that the range is situated in Ham and is partly a residential area. At other clubs the nature of the backstops prohibits the use of centrefire rifles in some cases.
2) If you want to get a rifle of your own, you will probably need to have a club member's supporting statement. And that hinges on you having put in a minimum number of appearances and demonstrated safety in the handling of that class of firearm.
3) Most clubs will have club guns that you can hire and it is worthwhie checking those out. You might find that they have something there that you take a liking to, or you might find that you don't like that Ruger after you have fired it over a long period.
Here is a link to the Ham and Petersham Pistol and Rifle Club where I shoot:
http://www.hprpc.co.uk/
I would suggest joining the rifle club first, before settling on a particular cartridge/weapon combination, for these reasons:
1) Clubs have their own rules about what weapons can be fired there. For example at my club, I wouldn't be able to have a .22 Magnum or any centrefire rifle at all. The reason is that the range is situated in Ham and is partly a residential area. At other clubs the nature of the backstops prohibits the use of centrefire rifles in some cases.
2) If you want to get a rifle of your own, you will probably need to have a club member's supporting statement. And that hinges on you having put in a minimum number of appearances and demonstrated safety in the handling of that class of firearm.
3) Most clubs will have club guns that you can hire and it is worthwhie checking those out. You might find that they have something there that you take a liking to, or you might find that you don't like that Ruger after you have fired it over a long period.
Here is a link to the Ham and Petersham Pistol and Rifle Club where I shoot:
http://www.hprpc.co.uk/
Fosbery
Member
I thought Ham & Petersham did gallery rifle? If so then you can shoot .44 magnum but not .22 WMR? That makes no sense lol.
@ Fosbery
Ja, that's what I thought too. However it is true. I asked them and they said it was a velocity issue, not calibre. Nobody there shoots any centrefire rifle cartridges, they are all either centrefire handgun cartridges or rimfires.
Ja, that's what I thought too. However it is true. I asked them and they said it was a velocity issue, not calibre. Nobody there shoots any centrefire rifle cartridges, they are all either centrefire handgun cartridges or rimfires.
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