matt87
Member
From one British Matt to another, well said that man! Have a coconut etc.
Stun guns in the UK
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Fosbery
Member
.50 caliber shooting is getting quite popular here. Used to be that the only thing you could use was a Boys anti-tank rifle converted to .50 BMG but now there's a whole bunch of UK-legal .50 cal rifles available and prices are coming down. Good reason is just "target shooting" like anything else (or you could probably get it for "foreign hunting trip" or collecting).
Anyone in the UK can buy as many shotguns and as much shotgun ammo as they like with not much difficulty. Other firearms require "good reason" and are a bit harder to get. Good reason is most commonly pest control, hunting, target shooting or collecting. Self-defence has not been considered a "good reason" since, if I remember correctly, 1945 - except for a few 'special' individuals like politicians.
Machineguns, mortars, grenade launchers etc were banned in 1920
Semi-auto guns over 60cm in length with a barrel greater than 30cm in length were banned in the '80s, with the exception of those chambered for .22 rimfire
Semi-auto shotguns with a barrel length less than 22" were also banned at the same time
Centrefire guns under 60cm in length or with a barrel less than 30cm in length were banned in '96
Rimfire guns under 60cm in length or with a barrel less than 30cm in length were banned in '96
Everything else is legal and all of the above have exceptions for movie studios, museums and there is an exception to the pistols ban for those made before 1919 and those considered to be of special interest e.g. unique prototypes, gold plated guns etc.
However, I don't think it's wildly innacurate to say guns are banned here just because of the difficulty involved in getting what is still legal and the restrictions placed upon you.
Anyone in the UK can buy as many shotguns and as much shotgun ammo as they like with not much difficulty. Other firearms require "good reason" and are a bit harder to get. Good reason is most commonly pest control, hunting, target shooting or collecting. Self-defence has not been considered a "good reason" since, if I remember correctly, 1945 - except for a few 'special' individuals like politicians.
Machineguns, mortars, grenade launchers etc were banned in 1920
Semi-auto guns over 60cm in length with a barrel greater than 30cm in length were banned in the '80s, with the exception of those chambered for .22 rimfire
Semi-auto shotguns with a barrel length less than 22" were also banned at the same time
Centrefire guns under 60cm in length or with a barrel less than 30cm in length were banned in '96
Rimfire guns under 60cm in length or with a barrel less than 30cm in length were banned in '96
Everything else is legal and all of the above have exceptions for movie studios, museums and there is an exception to the pistols ban for those made before 1919 and those considered to be of special interest e.g. unique prototypes, gold plated guns etc.
However, I don't think it's wildly innacurate to say guns are banned here just because of the difficulty involved in getting what is still legal and the restrictions placed upon you.
Calibre44
Member
Hi Matt
Yes & Yes – but that wasn’t the point I was making. I was only saying that not all guns are banned in the UK. Simple as that!
Yes I agree with you but it is also important to let our US friends know that a UK citizen can still own a firearm – again that is the only point I am making.
I take your point about US members thinking that not being able to use 'self-defence' as a good reason is as good as a ban. I would be quite happy to carry a gun myself if I felt the need and it was legal. But I am simply stating a fact: not all guns are banned in the UK despite what people might think.
Yes & Yes – but that wasn’t the point I was making. I was only saying that not all guns are banned in the UK. Simple as that!
Yes I agree with you but it is also important to let our US friends know that a UK citizen can still own a firearm – again that is the only point I am making.
I take your point about US members thinking that not being able to use 'self-defence' as a good reason is as good as a ban. I would be quite happy to carry a gun myself if I felt the need and it was legal. But I am simply stating a fact: not all guns are banned in the UK despite what people might think.
Don Gwinn
Moderator Emeritus
Well, we're making big progress here at THR. Usually, when two members get into an argument about UK gun laws, both are Americans and neither has ever set foot on British soil.
At least now we have Englishmen arguing about England. Quite refreshing, that, eh what?
Maybe you two should write a FAQ on British gun laws for the THR library. Then you could just link it when this comes up.
At least now we have Englishmen arguing about England. Quite refreshing, that, eh what?
Maybe you two should write a FAQ on British gun laws for the THR library. Then you could just link it when this comes up.
Calibre44
Member
LOL - If I had the time Don ... if I had the time but I wouldn't want to depress you all
Actually I'm over in Orlando next March and would love to visit a US Gun Shop. Do you (or any anyone else reading this) know of any in the area that would welcome an ignorant Englishman looking for a break from the family for an hour or two.
LightningJoe
Member
We wouldn't be amazed by this stuff if it weren't England. If it were India, Korea, Sierra Leone, Guatemala, we'd just yawn. But England seems so close to normal. What the hell is the deal with crime, punishment, and self-defense over there?
Pending Air Rifle Ban in UK
Come Oct 1st the sale of Airsoft guns will be restricted in the UK. Our Government has decided to tackle the criminal use of firearms by effectively stopping the sale of toy guns that look realistic! Various Police Forces issue statements about not wanting to shoot our children and warn about the dangers to small children that playing with toy guns in public places that the police might pose to any child who 'threatens' their officers.
Perhaps when they have tackled that particular problem they might like to address the thorny issue of bank robbers who carry pistols and teenage boys who kill each other in shopping centres in broad daylight? Perhaps not though, the next phase in their master plan will more likely be further restrictions on air pistols or violent video games instead.
Come Oct 1st the sale of Airsoft guns will be restricted in the UK. Our Government has decided to tackle the criminal use of firearms by effectively stopping the sale of toy guns that look realistic! Various Police Forces issue statements about not wanting to shoot our children and warn about the dangers to small children that playing with toy guns in public places that the police might pose to any child who 'threatens' their officers.
Perhaps when they have tackled that particular problem they might like to address the thorny issue of bank robbers who carry pistols and teenage boys who kill each other in shopping centres in broad daylight? Perhaps not though, the next phase in their master plan will more likely be further restrictions on air pistols or violent video games instead.
All of these arguments about guns being banned in UK or not are off base.
One question: Can you carry a loaded firearm on your person in most places legally?
If the answer is 'no', than firearms are essentially banned, as that is their primary function.
One question: Can you carry a loaded firearm on your person in most places legally?
If the answer is 'no', than firearms are essentially banned, as that is their primary function.
Fosbery
Member
Handguns...not all guns
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