Thread: UK gun laws?

hey, ive just turned 18 and i really want to start clay shooting or just general target shooting, not live things like rabbits or birds, just targets. I just wondered if anyone knew the way the law works on firearms in the UK, I was looking through the internet and found two possible candidates for my first rifle, the first I know is legal Franchi 712 & 720 Raptor at Impact Guns Home the franchi raptor, not a very powerful shotgun but a perfect clay shooting rifle, the next gun im not so sure about, its a sniper rifle from remington, this would be for target shooting, at long range of course Remington Law Enforcement - Rifles - M24 Sniper Weapon System the M24, is it even possible to buy let alone use a sniper rifle in the UK? If it is perfectly legal to use an M24 on a firearms licence Ill see if i can get one, if its not thats fine ill just purchase the frachi. thanks for reading, i look forward to some educated replies

Being an American, I know nothing about your laws, that rifle from what I hear is a damn fine shooter. Hope you find a way to swing it.

a totally off topic fyi: the M24 is nothing more than a plain old Rem700 deer rifle with a fancy scope and stock. if it's even legal, you can save a LOT of money by getting a Rem700 and slowly upgrading the optics and stock over the years... as a beginning shooter you will most likely not appreciate the upgraded parts enough to want to pay a couple grand extra for them. stuff like bolt lug trueing and lapping can be done yourself once you learn a bit more. oh, and most store bought ammo sucks, if you really want long range accuracy, you are going to have to load your own ammo.

Originally Posted by urahara454

the franchi raptor, not a very powerful shotgun but a perfect clay shooting rifle

ok, also, i hate to nitpick, but you do NOT use a rifle for clay shooting, and a shotgun and a rifle are two entirely different weapons. not to be a jerk, but i would recommend you maybe take some shooting classes, find out which gun works for you, learn a bit about the basics, etc before you dump a bunch of money on guns you may wind up not liking.

Jockey, the Rem 700 has been a goodrifle for years as far as I know, unless they have changed it over time and not for the better. Either way there are many forums that will discuss pros and cons of any rifle. DOH! I just noticed what you said about uprades. As Emily Latella would say.... Nevermind.

So you are asking a bunch of non-British forum members about advice regarding gun laws in the UK?



Isn't that what the local police and gun clubs are for?
Or if you want, why not ask on UK gun forums? Anything has to be better than asking here. At least if you want clear information regarding this specific topic.

Imagine yourself saying to a police officer 'But this guy on SRP told me...'

Dammit Bruno! You take the fun out of everything!

I would recommend getting a 12gauge shotgun if you are going to get into clay shooting. A 20 is okay if you are from the 16 yard line, but when you start moving back into the higher handicaps you are going to need a 12 gauge. the 12 gauge is king of the clay targets. just my 2 cents. take them or leave them.

Matt

Under UK law you have to apply for a shotgun certificate to own a shotgun but the police cannot refuse you unless you have a criminal record or are unable to provide safe storage. Generally you have to buy an approved gun safe and bolt it to the wall of your house then invite the busies round to inspect it.

As for the rifle, you would require a firearms certificate which is a whole different ballgame. The police can refuse for almost any reason, will throughly investigate you, background check your referees, ask your doctor if you're a nutter, get special branch to investigate any political or religious connections and call you in for a face to face "interview". Even then there's more than a good chance you'll be refused.

+1 to Trewornan

The restrictions on firearms in the UK are draconian at the very least. You may apply for a licence, but unless you, your family & your associates are utterly squeaky clean, you will be refused. The presumption is that no one needs a firearm & you have to prove that you do. I have heard that most constabularies will refuse a licence for anything other than existing licensees, farmers & competitive standard shooters (not sure if that is the right term). Of course,as with most things in this glorious country it makes no sense at all. How is a person meant to get to a competition standard, if they can not practice???

PS You have more chance of being able to buy weapons grade plutonium than a sniper rifle