BP in the British Isles

[JN01]

I've read several posts from British members where they talk about black powder arms being about the only firearms they are allowed to purchase/possess.

I'm curious as to what restrictions there are as far as buying and storing black powder. I'm thinking that as afraid as the government is of commoners having anything remotely like a weapon, the rules on EXPLOSIVES must be draconian.

Can any of our British members enlighten me?

 

[arcticap]

Here's a thread from our sister site that describes the required British BP permit and BP storage box complete with pictures. The primary post is about 1/2 of the way down:

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=249421

 

[Calibre44]

Don't get me started on this!!! :bangheadsee my previous posts for loads of moaning about our gun laws!). I'm not a carpenter so had to buy a special box to store my BP in. (£60.00 - that’s approx $120 in your money) and I had to chain it to the wall in my loft with special screws that don’t undo plus a padlock to satisfy my local Police.

The irony of course, is that I can buy as many fireworks containing BP as I want and keep them in a cardboard box in the lounge without a any permits and no one gives a dam

It is a load of messing around to get the relevant permits but it’s all worth it in the end to shoot these great BP revolvers and rifles.

 

[JN01]

Not quite as bad as I had envisioned, but still makes me greatful that buying guns & ammo in my neck of the woods is relatively free of red tape (so far, anyway).

I hope that our English friends might one day regain some of their lost freedoms.

 

[Calibre44]

Well our Prime Minister who banned our handguns is leaving so we all live in hope!

 

[bigbore442001]

Do any of you British shooters hunt with your blackpowder arms?

 

[DaveP (UK)]

Legally, BP shotguns can be used just like a normal shotgun.
To hunt with a firearm requires multiple approvals - background permission from the landowner to start with. Then the gun to be used has to be determined. There are detailed minimum requirements for guns used to hunt deer. For smaller game custom and use helps decide how much gun is needed for a humane kill. Then the land in question has to be inspected by the police to determine if it is safe to use a gun of the type chosen. If all goes well the hunters FAC is altered to include a specific permission to shoot at a specific location with a specific gun.
BP rifles dont meet the MV requirement for deer and would tend to be regarded as overkill for rabbit and fox. I am not aware of anyone using BP for hunting here.

 

[Rex B]

Geez, you people need to start a revolt.
Wait, can't do that without firearms.

 

[trueblue1776]

Geez, you people need to start a revolt.
Wait, can't do that without firearms.

Oh well, maybe they will have more rights under Islamic law.

 

[Calibre44]

Geez, you people need to start a revolt.
Wait, can't do that without firearms.

What we need is a change of Government!

Its really funny here at the moment as we have the Olympic games in London and one of the main shooting disciplines is .22 pistol shooting which of course is banned! It will be interesting to see how they get around that one in time for the games if at all. (our Olympic pistol shooting team have to train abroad!)

I could be wrong but I can't remember a crime being commited with a .22 target Pistol.

Still the Government knows best

 

[Calibre44]

Infantrymen can shoot 500 yards without a scope, can you?

Yes ... but I can't hit anything!

 

[Jamie C.]

Geez, you people need to start a revolt.
Wait, can't do that without firearms.

Which is the whole idea in disarming them, no?


J.C.

 

[DaveP (UK)]

As I understand it gun control laws in the UK owe a great deal to Governmental anxiety in the years following the Great War. There was real concern that the surviving Tommies might pick up their war "souvenirs" and copy the Bolsheviks...

 

[arcticap]

At one time long, long ago, if an Englishman didn't show up for mandatory archery practice, they were punished. Now if a pistol competition shooter wants to practice, they hardly can. Talk about going from one extreme to the other!

 

[Mk VII]

Handgun hunting of any type would not be permitted here.
I doubt that a BP rifle would make the muzzle energy requirements for deer (or muzzle velocity too, in Scotland). Some people do BP shotgun though

 

[Duncaninfrance]

Another reason I moved to France

There is NO logic to any of the gun control in the UK. Just petty do gooders who have no idea and politicians who want votes. Nothing changes eh?
Time the Police concentrated on the criminals who have all the guns:banghead::banghead::banghead:

 

[Steve499]

Duncan! And all this time I thought your move was just for the wine! You are truly a multi-faceted guy!

Steve

 

[Duncaninfrance]

Hey Steve!

Never let the wife know WHY!! Wine did come into it