SHOOTING IN THE UK

Before taking the plunge, you should be well-versed in the rules and regulations surrounding the sport. Here's our simple guide to the world of shooting...

First things first, before you can own or bear a shotgun you must be granted a shotgun certificate by the police. This will cover smooth-bore guns, which either do not have a magazine or a permanently-fixed magazine that cannot hold more than two cartridges.

Police stations are the places to go to pick up an application form, but the police can decide to refuse you application if they deem your reasons for requesting a shotgun are not genuine.

Forms must be countersigned to lend further weight to your application. Those providing a countersignature must be UK residents of good standing within their community who have known you for at least two years. Relatives of the applicant are not allowed to provide a countersignature.

Before the application can be accepted, the police will interview you about the application and enquire about your plans for storage. This is a standard procedure and designed to give the police a clearer picture of your elligability.

A shotgun certificate is valid for five years and there is no limit to the number of shotguns you can own, providing your storage solutions are up to scratch. A steel gun cabinet is generally considered the best option.

In terms of cost, the granting of a shotgun certificate will set you back £50, while its renewel will cost a further £40.

Once the certificate has been obtained, it is wise to get in contact with an association. These organisations cover a broad range of services including technical, legal and practical advice for shooters.

There are plenty of reasons to join, but the most significant one is that it gives you a voice. Associations are constantly fighting for shooters' rights and joining one will only add further weight to their campaigns.

Shooting sports in the UK are governed by The British Shooting Sports Council and it's website can be found here

Other useful resources:

Books and DVDs:
Digging for Gold, George Digweed
The Sporting Rifle, Robin Marshall-Bell
The Sporting Shotgun, Robin Marshall-Bell
The Shotgun Handbook, Mike George

Websites:
www.met.police.uk/firearms_licensing/
www.basc.org.uk/