Weapons You Can Legally Own In The UK!!!

This is the guide to obtaining your Firearm Certificate to responsibly own, store and shoot weapons in the UK.

This is sometimes called a FAC or an FAC. In this video you will be shown through the UK Firearms Certificate Application Guide. To my knowledge it is the only video on youtube, with the exception of the Sercout channel (where he briefly talks about it), that guides a newcomer to attaining a firearms license in the UK.

The FAC or Firearms Certificate covers all firearms under Section 1.

This video guide informs you how to do it!



Despite what the UK government and the naysayers would like you to think, UK citizens can still own rifles and shotguns, you can even still own long barreled revolvers - so long as the overall length is 24ins or more.

To do this you would need to become a member of a shooting club, you need to be a full member, usually for at least six months before you can apply for a section one fire-arms certificate, the police will check that you have been a member of that club.

The application is a form that you get from the police station, you need to fill it out as specified and then you need to get two character references, and several signed photos. Land details for where you want to shoot is also required (normally a gun club is used instead of this, unless it's for vermin control, deer stalking etc).

You also need to list all of the fire-arms that you wish to own and the amount of ammo that you want to store, so you have to think about what you are likely to want/afford in the next five years (before you need to re-new your licence); if you don’t buy the guns on your list the next time you need to re-new the police may remove them from your ticket – if you want to buy something not on your list you have to have what’s called a ‘variation’ – and this cost more money.

You also need to buy and install a Police/Home Office approved gun safe in your home before you are approved by the police (so that they can check it as part of your application - you still may not be approved even if you have gone to the expense of getting one installed...).

Guidelines for a gun cabinet ideally include:

Behind a locked door in a room and concealed from prying eyes. So upstairs is best. Hidden within the room as well ought to score points too.



You must also visit and shoot at your chosen club on a regular basis.

Firearms you can own on a FAC:

.22 rim fire rifle.

Semi-auto or bolt-action.

You can have detachable box mags, no magazine restrictions.

These can have a barrel length as low as 12 inches long! Yet the overall length of the firearm must be at least 24 inches long.





Bolt action Rifles

ANY Calibre*

Any magazine capacity.



Lever Action Rifles

As Above

As Above



Shotguns

You can also get pump, doubles, semi-auto shot gun on a section one certificate, SPAS-12 / 15 or other shot guns with hi-capacity non/detachable magazines. Minimum barrel length for shotguns though is 24 inches. It used to be 20 inches until 1965 when they upped it to 24".



You may need to join a club that carries out practical shotgun shoots for this though OR have a safety course certificate.

Black Powder Rifles and Pistols

With a black-powder license you can also use muzzle-loader firearms without restriction. This is quite complex to obtain though so many gun owners just put their BP rifles and pistols on an FAC and shoot with unlicensed pyrodex instead.



Some clubs can also apply for something called section 7 (I think) this allows the club to own a proper hand gun that was made before 1915 (so the Colt M1911 .45 is allowed - IF they can find one to buy). BUT it has to be kept at the club and not at an owners home (where it ought to belong). Another option is to hold pistols at a Heritage Site (they have a range normally) with the ammo held at home. That's probably the only way to shoot an ordinary semi-auto pistol in the UK but these are quite rare and kept hush-hush.

Long Barreled Revolvers / Long Barreled Pistols (.22LR)



Must be over 24ins in total length, so they either have a massive barrel or say a 12ins barrel with a wire frame stock at the rear to make up the length. (you may have to also become a member of another club that Specialises in pistol's before you are allowed to own one).

Getting Started



Best thing to do is to look in your telephone directory and look for a local shooting club, you can usually go and visit and talk to the guys (and gals!) there, most clubs will welcome you. Once you get speaking to the local shooting guru he'll be quite happy to help you out.
As long as you don't have an attitude and get on with the other club members you should be fine.

Once your 6 months probation at the club is over and you get the ok from the police that your gun cabinet is good to go it's time to apply for your 'toys'
To do this you need to complete the application form which you can get from your local cop shop.
Remember, some police counties are stricter than others. Additional 'guidelines' may be that you have to remove the bolt from rifles when locking them up in the house etc.

As it stands the Firearms certificate for rifles is £50 and for Shotguns £50 also.
The good news is that these last for 5 years and only cost £40 on renewal
The bad news is that everytime you want to buy a new weapon you haven't already mentioned on the license application you have to submit your license for a 'variation' which costs around £12-£14.
So it's best to sort out in your mind what weapons you are wanting and get them all sorted out in your mind for when you come to apply.

Reason for owning can vary from 'collector', 'vermin-control', 'target-rifle' and 'practical', 'club-practice' for practical rifle/shotgun shoots.
Since 1968, its been illegal to apply for a firearms license with 'self-defence' as a reason.
Suppressors (called moderators) are available for FAC holders without any license!

*Heavy calibre rifles like .50 BMG in bolt-action configuration are only allowed to be fired on about 4 ranges in the entire UK.

So that's my little guide, please leave questions if you have any and I'll try to answer them as best I can.

Fascinating!

Maybe I will move to the Netherlands now.

Just posting for later when I have time to read, interested in the thread as recently started shooting air rifles. My dad was keen on shooting many years ago and wanted to start again. We have been recently looking into working our way up the ladder to go into shooting shotguns and possible real rifles once getting the expierence

Cheers!

Nicely wrote guide watchrider. Theres so much bulls#@t floating around about what you can have, and what you cant. Ive tried to inform people on the matter, but theres loads of nay sayers that just confuse the matter.
S+F!
All the best.
B. V. H

a reply to: billyvonhelvete
This is true I knew about the ban on hand guns and automatic weapons, I knew you were allowed shotguns, .22 round weapons, pellet guns but something i didn't know until my dad told me that you can own real rifles that fire real bullets

Sounds ridiculous to me, I think we should do what America does and allow ANYONE and I mean ANYONE even the criminaly insane to buy any sort of weapons they like no questions asked, cash. Totaly unregulate the sale of guns because we all know this has never caused any sort of harm what so ever.

Now, some people might suggest owning a firearm increases the likelihood you yourself will be harmed by a firearm but those people are more than likely communists.

The ammunition has to be locked away separately from the weapons and it's safe practise to keep the working parts locked separately too.

originally posted by: sg1642
The ammunition has to be locked away separately from the weapons and it's safe practise to keep the working parts locked separately too.

That is correct, as I explain on the video guide

Some police counties are more sensible and don't mind the working parts kept stored together with the weapon.

Now compared to an FAC (Firearms Certificate) getting a shotgun license or a Shot Gun Certificate is a doddle.

You don't have to be in any club or belong to an organisation and you're not restricted (as much) on where you can and cannot use a shotgun.

There are a few hoops to jump through but these are pretty ordinary ones for the most part.

The Video Guide



First of all make sure you've got a good place in your place for installing a gun cabinet.
Upstairs in your bedroom is very good. Concealed behind something is optimal.
In a loft is the ultimate, however installing it up there would be troublesome in some cases. Especially with the super-heavy ones.

There is a myth that you've got to have a gun cabinet in an windowless room.
Utterly overstated. You'd score high on the inspection visit but it'd be overkill for a SGC.
Ground floor is ok, but you score higher on the visit if it's upstairs. Being able to lock the door to the room also is wise.

Next thing to do is get a gun cabinet ordered. I used these boys:

www.guncabinetsdirect.co.uk...

Now for what to get it's debatable. Something like this would be the benchmark for an FAC / SGC set-up:

www.guncabinetsdirect.co.uk...

With a cabinet without an inner locking compartment I'd say that would be more suited to a SGC.



The low-down

You are not allowed anymore than a 2 shot magazine + 1 in the breech shotgun to be purchased with a section 1 certificate (FAC shotguns have no limit to ammo capacity).
It's got to have a barrel of no less than 24 inches.
It can't have a detachable or rotary magazine. (FAC shotguns can have the former).

You must declare if you have a criminal record or have been sectioned under the mental health act. Addictions to drink and drugs are also pitfalls. They do dig.
The devil is in the details...
From 14 July 2014 a person receiving a suspended sentence of a minimum duration of three months or more will be prohibited from possessing a firearm for five years from the second day after sentence.

Once your gun cabinet has arrived get someone (I used the delivery bloke) to help you lift it inside and up to the place you want it.
Ensure you've ordered it with the fixing kit.

It'll be a set of six masonry bolts and rawplugs.
Very important for what you'll have to do next. Your DIY handy man skills need to be spot on now. You could get a handy man to do this but I did it myself as I want as few people as possible knowing I'd be having guns in my home. Especially when they know your address.

Gun Cabinet Installation



Take a mains-attached drill, fit a six inch masonry drill bit.
Take a careful note of the depth you'll be drilling to (using the masonry bolt as a reference).
The wall you want to drill into *should* be the supporting wall of the house or home. Not the dividing one as that is usually less strong and in some cases just plasterboard. If it's brick then you can do it, but I'd advise to use the supporting wall for strength.
Get the cabinet up against the wall, mark the position of all the holes you'll be putting the cabinet bolts through.
Now drill!
Insert the rawplugs.
Assuming you've got your markings right the bolts will go in and expand. Once all six are in you're cabinet will be rock-solid and there ought to be little or no movement. The policeman during his visit will rock and roll the thing so now is the time to get it right

Once you've got that done congratulate yourself with a hearty slap on the back and a brew.
If nothing else you've got somewhere to store air-rifles and valubles.

Ok the next step is to make a doctors appointment and get 2 passport sized pictures taken.
Before the doctors appt. you need to have completed the:

'Application for a Shot Gun Certificate'



The form number for this used to be 'Firearms Form 103'

It is now Form 201

This is a downloadable from your area constabulary website OR go to the nearest police station and pick one up.

It used to be a different separate form for the shotgun application but since 2014 the same form for the FAC application is used for the SGC application. Just fill in the relevant areas. On another video guide I show the Form 201 in detail for an FAC application.

For the SGC application it is similar.
The video guide above shows the old form walk-through yet is very similar to the new one.

I'll run through the summary here:

Filling out the Form

Fill out your personal details

It'll ask if you 'lived' at addresses other than what your home address is.
I won't play freeman of the land on this one but emphasis is on 'lived' so answer that accordingly.

Have you been convicted of any offence?

This is the big groove, you can't (unfortunately) pull the rehab. of offenders act on crimes spent here for those of you with colourful pasts.
The notes at the end of the application actually state 'You are not entitled to withhold information about any offence.' So it's up to you to answer it honestly.

Doctors details are required.

This is where they'll run checks on you to make sure you ain't gonna go out and cause mayhem when depressed etc.

You sign section A. This gives them the consent to approach the GP to see if you are model citizen of the year and not Tony Hamilton / Ryan material.
As long as you're not booze rider, nervous nigel or the dope meister you ought to be ok.

It asks for details on the proposed storage and location of your shotgun.

This is where you need to wax lyrical/prose and get across about the area you live in, the house/rooms security, who else shares the storage facilities.

What would be optimal and almost certain to pass inspection?

Living in a zero-crime neighbourhood, max'ed out alarm-system that's wired to the nearest cop-shop.
House doorways are high security doors with multiple locks and levers.
Guns kept in Loft conversion with steel lockable door access, gun cabinet bolted in at the back AND the bottom into solid brickwork.
Gun Cabinet a very heavy 100 kilo Gun Safe variant with 8 locking pins.
Concealed inside sliding wardrobe. (this is hardcore by the way!)
No others SGC holders sharing.

What would probably rejected outright and almost certainly following inspection?

Living in a high-crime, inner city hellhole.
Zero security apart from a locked door.
No police approved gun cabinet, just a gun rack/clip and steel cable running through it into a wall.
Other SGC holders sharing.

Counter Signature

An important section.

This where the doctors appointment you've just made comes in handy...
In this bit someone who the establishment considers 'their man' (or woman) vouches for you.
Now it's not always easy to get this bit completed. Especially if you are new to an area.
The countersignatory must of known you for at least 2 years.
The countersignatory must also be an MP, Justice of the Peace, established civil servant, bank officer or person of similar standing.
Cops, police employees or firearms dealers cannot act as countersignatories.

Assuming your doc. knows you for at least 2 years all should be well.

The small print in Section D is among some of the most fundimental elements of being allowed to apply and own a shot gun.

The WR translation (which may be interpreted varyingly) is as follows:

The countersignatory is signing Section D to declare that he/she knows of NO REASON WHY THE APPLICANT SHOULD NOT BE PERMITTED to possess a shot gun.
So compared to an FAC application where you need to show 'reason for' on the application owning a weapon on the SGC is putting the onus on the police to state WHY YOU SHOULD NOT be permitted to own one.

One up for gun owners, not quite an endorsement of the right to bear arms but better than a kick in the teeth.

Roll up to the docs surgery at the appointed time with application form and one of the passport photographs.

Walk in and give them the paperwork. When I waltzed in I was pretty nonchalant and breezy about it but then he knew me reasonably well.
We palavered a bit about stuff in general but he didn't make me do any tests, just remarked on the price of the bloody thing!

All being well he'll sign both it and the passport pic. He needs to do the 'I certify that this is a current true likeness of.....' on it.

This done you're almost ready.

Now just sign and date the declaration.

Now go and get £50 in postal orders. This is the current fee for a Shot Gun Certificate.
Photocopy the form. Send it special delivery to your local county firearms HQ. You'll need to look this up, it vary's depending on where you live.

Once sent it's the waiting game. I got two letters stating they'd received my application and were processing it. Now the letters they send are important as they'll detail the visiting officer by his name. Make a note of this.
Then a few weeks later the 'visit' / inspection will take place...

The Firearms Officer Visit...



You'll get a phone call out of the blue and it'll be police inspector (some places send out a civilian but this is rare nowadays) who will give his/her name and when he's visiting. Ensure it tallys with the letter as this is who you'll be letting in your home.

The visit only takes about 15 - 30 minutes. Greet the inspector at the door. Try and make a good impression but don't go all groveltastic either.

She/He'll want to see the storage facilities as described in the application.
Once there they'll do what I call the shake test to make sure the gun cabinet is installed correctly. I hope your masonry bolts hold.

Once this is done they've got a list of questions they'll ask you.
These include but not limited to:

Drink / Drug problems?

How many people live in the house.

This is important, if the house is left vacant for too long the cops don't like it. So its best if there's always someone living in the house.

Have you handled /used firearms before?

A reasonable one, you need a brain to safely use them and action like a maverick isn't wise, especially if you are going to be new to gun ownership. Ex-forces guys are generally at an advantage here, especially as it's above and beyond shotgun weaponry. Tick in the box for them. Air rifle ownership is another one you could mention to bridge the gap if you have no military credentials.

Why do you want to own a shotgun?

Tell the truth on this one BUT don't say for defense. The ptb back in the 60s changed the law to prevent this reason. You can say it but expect a big black mark on the file probably meaning your application is rejected.

Good reasons they like include plinking on farm-land (that you've got permission on), sport-shooting (clays), practical shotgun competitions (UKPSA), collecting, vermin control.
Belonging to a gun club is another valid reason. Although it's not necessary, having gun owner friends is a big plus imo.
Let them know and if they are cool with it, name drop to the inspector. That way he can see you are part of the 'gun scene'. One thing I think they like is if you're going out shotgunning with someone who is already experienced in it. That way you're not going to be Mr inexperienced solo who might end up hurting himself out in the country.

The deal is that the questions are to establish if you are grade A michael ryan material who is just wanting to cause mayhem and strife as opposed to sensible shooter/owner of guns.

If you're talking bs then unless you are Mr compulsive liar extraordinaire they'll sniff you out pretty well imo. Be honest and look them in the eye, that way they don't start thinking you've got ulterior motives.

Assuming all goes well the inspector will shake your hand and be on his way.
All your answers he'll of noted onto his checklist form and he'll forward them to the Chief Officer of Police.
From there, depending on the collation of all the info, answers and recomendation of the inspector you'll either get a rejection or an approval.

All being well you should get a shiny new Shot Gun Certificate 2 or 3 weeks later.

As soon as you get it give it a good read and sign it.

Now go out and get your gun!

WRs Disclaimer:

I'm not responsible for any who use the information above for aquiring a Shot Gun for illegal use.

Pretty sure most people in the UK know they can own guns.

Pretty sure most people in the UK do NOT WANT guns.

originally posted by: WatchRider

originally posted by: sg1642
The ammunition has to be locked away separately from the weapons and it's safe practise to keep the working parts locked separately too.

That is correct, as I explain on the video guide

Some police counties are more sensible and don't mind the working parts kept stored together with the weapon.

star and a flag for this. Clearly taken your time to lay it all out.

originally posted by: ThePeaceMaker
a reply to: billyvonhelvete
This is true I knew about the ban on hand guns and automatic weapons, I knew you were allowed shotguns, .22 round weapons, pellet guns but something i didn't know until my dad told me that you can own real rifles that fire real bullets

If you're fortunate enough to live near to a Heritage Center (there are a handful in the UK) and have a FAC you can apply to have a pistol stored there that is normally section 5. These are classed as collector relics and if you can show a genuine interest in the firearm in question (books, research etc) you can apply for a semi-auto pistol like a Colt 1911 .45 ACP.

They aren't given out very often but a few gun owners have managed it. They keep the ammo at home and the gun has to stay at the Heritage Center (where the range is as well). An example of one is down at Bisley, England.

originally posted by: Dabrazzo
Sounds ridiculous to me, I think we should do what America does and allow ANYONE and I mean ANYONE even the criminaly insane to buy any sort of weapons they like no questions asked, cash. Totaly unregulate the sale of guns because we all know this has never caused any sort of harm what so ever.

Now, some people might suggest owning a firearm increases the likelihood you yourself will be harmed by a firearm but those people are more than likely communists.

Damn, looks like I and just about everyone else have wasted time passing background checks and getting a PERMIT to PURCHASE a firearm. To think, how we've all been throwing time and money away on this process when we could have all just gone out and bought "any sort of weapon with no questions asked".

originally posted by: blupblup
Pretty sure most people in the UK know they can own guns.

Pretty sure most people in the UK do NOT WANT guns.

You want a bet? I've met more people than I can care to recall that think you have to be a farmer, a cop or a serving soldier only.

I think this about completes the list, dunnit?

welcome to the insanity of gun laws!
you can have a bolt action gun but no pistol or revolver. having all of them and a few more i say a bolt action is more dangerous than a pistol.
why not allow all of them?
with terrorist threats increasing it would be a nice move by the lawmakers. they don't have to spend so much on the police and military when there is a society that can protect itself and the state even gets more income through rising sales.

also who in their right mind would store the ammunition seperately from the guns?
and what do politicians think to gain from that?

originally posted by: Bedlam

I think this about completes the list, dunnit?

Zomg, I f#ing LoL'd so hard!

originally posted by: Dabrazzo
Sounds ridiculous to me, I think we should do what America does and allow ANYONE and I mean ANYONE even the criminaly insane to buy any sort of weapons they like no questions asked, cash. Totaly unregulate the sale of guns because we all know this has never caused any sort of harm what so ever.

Now, some people might suggest owning a firearm increases the likelihood you yourself will be harmed by a firearm but those people are more than likely communists.

This would be a non-issue of we were more liberal with the death penalty. Even if a few innocents go in the mix, that's some damn strong reasoning to not commit any violent crimes.

originally posted by: Dabrazzo
Sounds ridiculous to me, I think we should do what America does and allow ANYONE and I mean ANYONE even the criminaly insane to buy any sort of weapons they like no questions asked, cash. Totaly unregulate the sale of guns because we all know this has never caused any sort of harm what so ever.

Now, some people might suggest owning a firearm increases the likelihood you yourself will be harmed by a firearm but those people are more than likely communists.

Is this sarcasm or willful ignorance ? Your ref to " owning a firearm increases the likelihood you yourself will be harmed
by a firearm" I assume you are referring to the Kellermann study. Utter nonsense. His alleged study was so flawed
he refused to submit his methodology for the collection of data ! The first one was done under a grant from the CDC
( go figure ) . You will frequently hear the MSM parrot the 43 times more likely blah blah blah. Which he now is distancing
himself from, because he got caught INTENTIONALLY fudging his data. I hope you are just being sarcastic