Gun ownership

There are approximately 2,300,000 guns legally held in the UK, primarily for pest control on one’s own land and the recreational pursuits of clay-pigeon and target shooting at shooting clubs.  Other purposes include the preservation of antique guns and, occasionally, authentic-looking enactments for the film industry. Licences are issued by the Police. Self-defence has not been a valid reason for owning a gun in Britain since the World Wars, though there were no restrictions at all until the 20th century.

In 1996 at Dunblane Primary School, 32 people, mostly children, were killed or injured in the UK’s most tragic mass shooting. The killer legally possessed 12 guns. The resulting outcry led to the Firearms (Amendment) (No.2) Act of 1997, banning all handguns. This marked the last in a series of laws tightening up the regulations for gun ownership.

There are two types of licence ~ one for shotguns, the other for firearms, which is harder to obtain. Although exceptions had to be made for the shooting competitions in the Olympic and Commonwealth Games when these were held in Britain, guns smaller than 24-inches in length are generally not allowed. Various styles of non-military rifle are available and these are the ones mostly used for leisure activities.

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