UK Firearms Dealers

[GunnyUK]

Anyone know if there is a UK firearms dealer list on the web, can't find one.

Thanks

Gunny

[DeltaWhisky58]

Why don't you guys ever use search engines? Try using google to search on e.g. "Gun Trade Association" (http://www.google.co.uk/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLG,GGLG:2005-42,GGLG:en&q=gun+trade+association).

[Steve Andrews]

Have a look in Gun Mart magazine.

[East Scout]

Exactly what types of firearms are UK citizens still permited to own? I thought all weapons were banned there?

[Hydro]

Exactly what types of firearms are UK citizens still permited to own? I thought all weapons were banned there?

In laymans terms: Bolt action rifles with magazine capacity of no more than 10 rounds. You can also have semi-automatic .22 rifles. You are also restricted in the terms of overall length and barrel length (This prohibits handguns). There are some novel ideas to get around these laws, like revolvers with long barrels and permanently attached shoulder stocks. Pump action and semi-automatic shotguns over .410 calibre are restricted to total capacity of three rounds (one in the chamber, 2 in the magazine). I'm not an expert, but this is my understanding.

You can get some really quite nice firearms over here - AR15's, L1A1's, AK's...all modified to be manually operated.


Quite far from being a totally weapons free society. In rural areas especially, firearms are quite common, in the hands of farmers, pest control, vets etc.

[a_very_ex_STAB]

In laymans terms: Bolt action rifles with magazine capacity of no more than 10 rounds. You can also have semi-automatic .22 rifles. You are also restricted in the terms of overall length and barrel length (This prohibits handguns). There are some novel ideas to get around these laws, like revolvers with long barrels and permanently attached shoulder stocks. Pump action and semi-automatic shotguns over .410 calibre are restricted to total capacity of three rounds (one in the chamber, 2 in the magazine). I'm not an expert, but this is my understanding.

You can have higher magazine capacity if you have semi auto/pump action shotguns on a firearms certificate (FAC) as opposed to a plain old shotgun certificate (SGC) in the UK AFAIK (although I only have rifles on my ticket). You have to be able to demonstrate 'good reason to possess' which in this case would be being a member of a club that does e.g. practical shotgun shooting/comps.


You can get some really quite nice firearms over here - AR15's, L1A1's, AK's...all modified to be manually operated.


Quite far from being a totally weapons free society. In rural areas especially, firearms are quite common, in the hands of farmers, pest control, vets etc.

That is correct I think there are currently around 600,000 SGC holders and 120,000 FAC holders in the UK and of course many have an extensive collection of firearms.

[East Scout]

Very interesting fellas..Thank you. I had no idea about the AKs AR and L1A1s..

[DeltaWhisky58]

Basically, within certain categories there are less restrictions than many imagine.

The main thing is justifying a need for the particular firearm - every weapon on an individual's firearm Certificate must be individually justified. The following categories of weapons are permitted:

1. Fullbore (i.e. centrefire) rifles of single shot, bolt action, lever action, double barrel types. All semi autos/pumps are prohibited. Minimum length restrictions apply to all on both barrel and o/a length.

2. Smallbore (.22 R/f rifles) of any action type including semi-auto - magazine capacity and length restrictions apply.

3. Sound moderators are permitted for 1 & 2 above as long as their use can be justified.

4. Shotguns of single shot, double barrel OK, and autos/pumps restricted to two-round mags (unless licensed as firearms rather than shotguns).

5. Black powder weapons allowed (incl. handguns).

6. Expanding ammo - i.e. soft point, hollow point etc., is licensed separately. You have to justify a need for it (it is mandatory for deer hunting).

7. No handguns of any calibre (other than BP) - No semi auto or pump centrefire rifles, no fully autos

Some odd anomalies can occur, e.g. being permitted to own a .416 for African hunting, but not being allowed to buy any ammo in the UK - sounds daft, but I've come across many such cases with large-calibre rifles!

There are some exceptions to the handgun rules - I've come across vets, pig farmers, slaughtermen and deer managers being allowed handguns under Section 5 restrictions, but they are exceptional cases.

[East Scout]

Sounds like it can be very confusing.......

I was under the impression that everything was banned but for .22 rifles and air rifles......So if i have a modified AK i cant have a high-cap mag on it correct?

[big_les]

Sounds like it can be very confusing.......

I was under the impression that everything was banned but for .22 rifles and air rifles......So if i have a modified AK i cant have a high-cap mag on it correct?

Don't think "high-caps" are regulated, since you have to work the action manually.

Check out:
http://ar15.co.uk/

[PaulClift]

My friends getting some sort of .50cal handgun where you mould your own lead balls for it, and he is in the uk, though as he is in TA apparently the mod doesnt like soldiers having guns at home.

[DeltaWhisky58]

My friends getting some sort of .50cal handgun where you mould your own lead balls for it, and he is in the uk, though as he is in TA apparently the mod doesnt like soldiers having guns at home.

If this is a handgun and in the UK, it can only be some form of black powder (i.e. non-metallic cartridge) weapon, otherwise it would not be allowed.

I would have thought that the fact he is in the TA and any views the MoD might have are of supreme irrelevance as his private activities are not under the control of the army. It is up to the police whether or not he can keep a gun at home.