Firearms license

[Ian]

The Home Office have stated (reported in the Telegraph Dec 2000) that the handgun compensation was so expensive that they will never offer such compensation ever again, so that will cost nothing. Hand in or ten tears in jail, which was what we handgun owners were told.

An amnesty will be cheap and probably paid for by selling the scrap. You take them and stick them in a bin in a police station which is then collected and destroyed by approved contractors following the arrangements that are in place now for knives. That takes most air-guns off the street with lots of photo opportunities for the police.

Firearms licensing is paid for by the licensees. The Home Office demand that shotgun and firearm certificate application fees fully cover the police costs but not more.

Why should there be any extra prosecutions for air gun offences above and beyond the level now? By the bye, not one hand-gun owner was even arrested let alone prosecuted because of the hand in.

Those are the reasons why I think that any air-gun licensing won't cost too much. It would be wrong but politicly driven, as was the hand-gun ban, but if shooters don't start to massage the press and change the public image of shooting in general, I feel inevitable.

[TomW]

I think your right there Ian but there is a difference in situations. Handguns were already licensed so the police knew who (legally) had them. I think that a lot of people wouldn't hand there air weapons in and the police wouldn't know where to go looking for them so they would keep turning up and ultimately would result in some prosecutions.

[the-gnole]

Sounds like a lot of people haven't bought a new air rifle from a retail outlet lately then.

[TomW]

Well that's just it gnole, a lot of people won't have. I know a lot of air rifles that are more like family heirlooms, they're also the ones that will keep turning up years into the future.

[Agent Switters]

Emphatic of a couple of earlier comments, upon making the decision to legally pursue ownership of a firearm, finding appropriate training and practising with accomplished shooters is imperative. It's been my experience (in England and N. Ireland specifically) that members of established hunting/shooting groups and clubs are generally keen to work with newer enthusiasts. The BASC is another point for more information: http://www.basc.org.uk/

[Slimslim]

For those in the know, Is it possible to gain a SGC while living in a rented flat? Just wondering as I'll be moving from the family home come May/June and I'm thinking about applying for a Certificate a short while after.

[TomW]

so long as your security is good enough I'm not aware of a reason for it to be a problem. AFAIK gun safes have to be bolted to load bearing walls (though I know of one that's bolted to the floor so there must be some leeway), if you have access to a load bearing wall and the landlord has no problem with you drilling a few big holes in it then you should be ok. I personally think its also good to have it hidden away, under stairs cupboard, built in wardrobe but you could always disguise it using a flatpack cupboard with no back...

[Slimslim]

Aye cheers for the information

In all probability I doubt that I'll have many hiding places in the one bed flats that I've been looking at but the 'fake' wardrobe idea sounds good! Just have to convince my partner to come with me when I try out clay pigeon shooting.

Also could you recommend a good starter shotgun or any affordable safety courses?

[TomW]

Well the best gun to get is the one you can afford. I would reccomend an ejecting model but in no way is it essential. Most clay grounds have details of instructors who can get you started but I have no idea what the cost would be.

BASC is a good place to find information and almost certainly will help you find somewhere to shoot. If you find a good gunshop with a clayground you should be able to try before you buy too, might give you an idea of what sort of gun you'd get on with. The thing to remember is that more money does not mean better just prettier. A pair of matched purdeys with grade 1 walnut stocks don't shoot any straighter than a no name, plain stocked gun.

[Slimslim]

Thats what I was thinking tbh as my budget would only be around £100 maybe £150 if I save up

Any idea on what the rules are for shooting in your own land? As one of my family members has a garden and a couple of large fields at about 14 acres +/- two sides covered by fields, one by the house and the other by the neighbours land...