United Kingdom Gun Guide 6.13

(0)Contents
(1)Preamble
-(1a) Maintenance and Updates
-(1b) What is this Guide for?
-(1c) Why Would I get Separate Licenses?
-(1d) What about Northern Ireland and Crown Dependencies?
(2)Purpose
(3)Prerequisites To Applying for a FAC/SGC
-(3a) "A Good Reason" The Reasons to own a Firearm (Applies to Section 1 Only)
-(3b) The Referees
-(3c) Criminal Record
-(3d) The Peaceful Sound of a Sound Mind
-(3e) Safe Spaces are Safe Places (For Guns)
-(3f) The Visit
-(3g) A Pretty Picture
(4) Types of Licenses and Their Costs
-(4a) What Can I Own with a Firearms Certificate/Shotgun Certificate
-(4b) The Current Status of the Offensive Weapons Bill of 2017/2019
(5) The Application
-(5a) The Application Forms
-(5b) Application Submission
-(5c) How Long will the Application Take to Process?
-(5d) Congratulations
(6) How to Buy a Gun
-(6a) Section 1 Purchases
-(6b) Section 2 Purchases
(7) Additional Resources
-(7a) YouTube Channels
-(7b) Firearm Associations
-(7c) Local Club Finder
-(7d) Recommended Places from Anons
-(7e) Gun Guides and Recommendations
-(7f) Online Dealers
-(7g) Contact

(1)---Preamble---

(1a) Maintenance and Updates
The current maintainer of this guide is Gun Anon, Currently under the Trip !!s7J7HDaDFkk
And previously under the Trip !!ETpQwM6ksCW
This Trip will only be used when an update is posted - If in doubt of if you are currently reading the most recent version of this guide refer to either the archive here:

Post 31/10/2018
https://archive.4plebs.org/pol/search/tripcode/%21%21s7J7HDaDFkk/
Pre 31/10/2018
https://archive.4plebs.org/pol/search/tripcode/%21%21ETpQwM6ksCW/

Or alternatively the GitHub Repository:
https://github.com/GunAnon/United-Kingdom-Gun-Guide
This should always have the most up to date version with the changelog in the commit comments
That being said I do not enjoy using GitHub expect this to be updated at a slower rate over future pastebin releases.

(1b) What is this Guide for?

This guide is for obtaining firearms legally within Great Britain with a primary focus on how to acquire a Coterminous Certificate which consists of an Firearms Certificate and a Shotgun Certificate allowing access to Section 1 and Section 2 Firearms respectively, with a secondary focus on how to attain each license separately.

(1c) Why Would I get Separate Licenses?

As to why a person wishes to get each certificate separately varies from person to person, however, if you are desperate to get yourself or others into the world of shooting a shotgun license is the simplest way to go as it does not require a good reason or shooting club membership as Section 1 Firearm certificates require, only that you will go shooting in the future and meet the other checks.

(1d) What about Northern Ireland and Crown Dependencies?
Northern Ireland and the Crown Dependencies while not a primary focus, will not be completely excluded in this guide.
However as it is not the primary objective of this guide will only provide resources at request.

(2)---Purpose---
To Promote the discussion of and Encouragement of legally owning firearms in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

(3)---Prerequisites To Applying for a FAC/SGC---
Before one even applies for a Firearm/Shotgun Certificate there are 6 prerequisites that need to be met in this order to own Firearms.
1.Reason for owning a firearm - (Applies to Section 1 Only)
2.You have One/Two Referee(s) that will support your application (Depends on Certificate)
3.Do Not have a criminal record that does not bar you from owning a firearm
4.Ensure that you are of sound mind (Will not harm yourself or others)
5.A Secure Place to Store a Firearm.
6.A Passport sized Picture of You

(3a) "A Good Reason" The Reasons to own a Firearm (Applies to Section 1 Only)
To own a Section 1 Firearm you must have a reason for owning said firearm, to which there are three main reasons on the mainland and a fourth reason for Northern Ireland.
1.Hunting
2.Vermin Control
3.Sports Shooting <-Pick this one
4.Self Defence (Northern Ireland Only and Must be Proven)

For this guide we are going with the third option as you will only be limited to your club's capabilities, however you can skirt around this limitation by stating honestly that you are in the process of joining another club with greater capabilities for that specified firearm.

This also gives you a larger amount of calibres to choose from over being de facto limited to .22lr or 12g shells as you would be applying for Small Game Hunting and/or Vermin Control, as you will not need a .338 Lapua rifle for shooting rabbits into red mist.

For the reason of Sports Shooting to be valid in the eyes of the police you will need to join a local firearms club, to which full membership is required before applying for your FAC.

Most Local Clubs will be listed here.
https://nra.org.uk/nra-affiliated-clubs/

(3b) The Referees
Before going into how many Referees are needed for each license we must first know what a Referee is
Quoting from Form 201 the law's definition of who can act as a referee goes as follows

The referee(s) who have agreed to act for you must have known you personally for at least two years and must be resident in Great Britain.  Referees must not be a member of your family, a registered firearms dealer, a serving police officer or police employee, a police and crime commissioner or a member of their staff, or a member of, or a member of staff of, the Scottish Police Authority.
Referees must be of good character and references must be given freely and not on payment.

With that said, when applying under the Reason of Sports Shooting one of your two Referees will be a senior member of the club you have joined to which will more than likely be a guaranteed yes after you have become a full member of your local club, essentially leaving you with needing one other referee to choose.

The number of referees needed differ for a shotgun certificate, You should have gained the permission of one person to act as a referee for you.
You must complete Part F with their details.

For the grant or renewal of a firearms certificate, the Firearms Acts require an applicant to supply the details of two people who have agreed to act as referees on Part F & G of the application form.

When applying for Coterminous certificates a total of two referees are still required. However, due to changes in the application forms, the requirement for a counter-signatory has been replaced with the request for one referee.

(3c) Criminal Record
One the main questions on the FAC/SGC asks whether you have ever been convicted of any offense at any time.

You Must not Withhold information about any conviction, no matter how long ago it was.
(This is including speeding offences), bind-overs, formal written cautions and convictions in and outside of Great Britain, and (by virtue of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975) convictions which are spent under the 1974 Act.
A conditional discharge and an absolute discharge both count as convictions for this purpose. Details of parking offences and fixed penalty notices do not need to be declared.

The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act does NOT apply when applying for an FAC and the police DO check thoroughly. Previous convictions do not always necessarily mean refusal to grant an FAC, but if you do not declare an offense and it is revealed by the police checks, then you will certainly be refused and will also be looking at a prosecution for having made a false declaration to obtain an FAC.

(3d) The Peaceful sound of a Sound Mind
To avoid the massacres of Dunblane and Hungerford again, You must disclose any relevant physical or mental health conditions that you have been diagnosed with or treated for in the past as this may affect your ability to safely possess and use a firearm or shotgun.
The Relevant medical conditions which must be disclosed are

- Acute Stress Reaction or an acute reaction to the stress caused by a trauma
- Suicidal thoughts or self harm
- Depression or anxiety
- Dementia
- Mania, bipolar disorder or a psychotic illness
- A personality disorder
- A neurological condition: for example, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s or Huntington’s diseases, or epilepsy
- Alcohol or drug abuse (Eddie)
- Any other mental or physical condition which might affect your safe possession of a firearm or shotgun

If in doubt, consult your GP or contact the police firearms licensing department.
It is best that this is treated as if it were the criminal record section do not forget even the most minor of conditions you may have e.g. Autism, otherwise the local constabulary force will use it as proof of lying to the police and revoke your license on that basis.

Remember All applications are looked at on their own merit when making a decision. A note from your GP to clarify why a certain medication is/was prescribed to you and how it affects you will aid in your application, with the main priority of these checks are ensuring that you pose no harm to yourself or others.

If you have disclosed a relevant medical condition the police may ask you to obtain a medical report from your GP/specialist. You are expected to meet the cost if a fee is charged for this. If further information is required the police may request and pay for a further report.

Where no relevant medical conditions are disclosed the police will contact your GP asking if they are aware of any relevant medical conditions or have any concerns about the grant of the firearm or shotgun certificate. Depending on the reply, the police may ask you to obtain a medical report from your GP/specialist.  You are expected to meet the cost if a fee is charged for this. If further information is required the police may request and pay for a further report.

After which the police will ask your GP to place an encoded reminder on your patient record to indicate that you have been issued with a firearm or shotgun certificate.  The GP is asked to notify the police if, following issue of the certificate, you are diagnosed with or treated for a relevant medical condition previous noted, or if the GP has other concerns about your possession of a certificate that might affect your safe possession of firearms following contact from your GP there may be a need for a medical report to be obtained to assist with assessment of your continued suitability to possess a firearm or shotgun certificate. The police will pay if a medical report is required.

(3e) Safe Spaces are Safe Places (For Guns)
Firearms Storage is an odd matter for a very bureaucratic nation like ours, where what is required for firearm storage is not laid out in law with the legislation merely stating that the firearms "must be stored securely at all times so as to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, access to the guns by unauthorized persons".

Quoting the Marple and Rifle Pistol Club
In practice, a steel cabinet constructed and certified to comply with BS 7558 and Rawlbolted to a solid wall is the norm. The vast majority of commercially available gun and rifle cabinets meet the necessary standards. If your premises have shared access, for example if you live in a block of flats, the requirements may be more stringent. In all cases the requirement to prevent access to the firearms by "unauthorised persons", means anyone who doesn't personally hold a FAC. This means that even members of your family must not have keys to the cabinet or even know where you keep them.

For Additional Information Consult the Police or the Home Office's 2005 Firearms Security Guide
Found Here
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/117794/security_leaflet.pdf

To reiterate If in doubt please contact your local police constabulary.

Remember for smaller safes it may be beneficial to throw out the foam and any markers stating how many guns your safe can store. This will allow for you to put more slots on your Firearm Certificate within reasonable means as you will have the illusion of more storage space for your firearms.

(3f) The Visit
The FEO visit is a fairly quick inspection of the house, ensuring your house is in good shape, in terms of storage for your firearms and in general, you will have a friendly chat with them confirming why you need the firearm among other topics to determine suitability this may include a possible a shit test, for instance asking you to show where your keys are or to hand them to the officer, which if you do not know already do not do this refuse to tell them where your keys are and refuse to give them to the officer.

During this visit you also have the opportunity to also confirm your firearm slots and ammunition count, the general advice goes as follows that if you can prove the reason why you ought to have that firearm you will more than likely have it allowed, however it is best advised you have one or two slots extra than you intend for two reasons.

The first being that it saves you from sending a 201V Variation form 6 months down the line if you wish to purchase a certain firearm later down the line over purchasing immediately after receiving your FAC, if this is your honest reason pursue this.

The second being that it also gives you amble negotiating space if the FEO wishes to take one or two firearm slots off your FAC due to concern being a first time applicant, this makes it so you have an ample trade buffer so you can make an easier trade for what you wish to own.

On Ammunition you can also discuss what is a reasonable amount of ammunition with your FEO for Rimfire Cartridges the standard is around 1000 rounds, for Centre-Fire Cartridges the average is around 300-400 rounds, this can also be discussed and negotiated depending on your situation and reasons for a firearm and the quantity of firearms you own/planning to own in that calibre.

(3g) A Pretty Picture
For the application process you require a digital photograph for your license, it must be used for online applications.
Paper applications must be accompanied by one photograph. Ordinary passport-style photographs (45mm high x 35mm wide) are suitable for this purpose.
Photographs must be of a professional standard against a plain cream or grey background and without other objects or people in the background and (if printed) must be on good quality gloss or matt paper.
The photograph must be a true likeness and full face without a head covering (unless it is worn for religious or medical reasons). In your photograph you must be looking straight at the camera, have a neutral expression, with your eyes open and mouth closed. You must not wear sunglasses or tinted glasses, and the photographs must not have any ‘red eye.’
One of these photographs must also be signed.

(4)---Types of Licenses and Their Costs---
The costs of Applying for a license excluding the cost of the local club membership goes as follows

Firearm Certificates (FAC) (valid for 5 years)
Grant of firearm certificate - £88.00
Renewal of firearm certificate - £62.00
Variation of a firearm certificate (other than when it is renewed at the same time) so as to increase the number or type of firearms or quantity of ammunition to which the certificate relates. - £20.00
Replacement of a firearm certificate which has been lost or destroyed. - £ 4.00

Shotgun Certificates (SGC) (valid for 5 years)
Grant of Shotgun Certificate - £79.50
Renewal of Shotgun Certificate - £49.00
Replacement of Shotgun Certificate which has been lost or destroyed - £ 4.00

Coterminous Certificate for both Firearms and Shotguns (valid for 5 years)
Grant of Coterminous certificate. - £90.00
Renewal of Conterminous Certificate for both Firearms and Shotguns (valid for 5 years) - £ 65.00

Explosives Certificates (necessary for Black-powder shooting, but not needed if using Pyrodex)
To acquire and keep (valid for up to 5 years) - Free

It is highly recommended that if all previous prerequisites have been met this is the way to go if you want both sorts of gun, as it is much cheaper than having separate certificates expiring at different times.

(4a) What Can I Own with a Firearms Certificate/Shotgun Certificate?

In the mainland what has been considered Section 1 has been restricted quite a bit with the banning of Centre-fire semi-automatics after Hungerford as well as the banning of handguns in the mainland after Dunblane there are still quite a lot that can be legally owned to which goes as follows

Under Section 1 - Firearm Certificates as of 02/11/18

Bolt Action Rifles
Lever Action Rifles
Lever Release Rifles
Long Barrelled Pistols (up to 22lr)
Manually Actuated Release System (M.A.R.S Rifles) (Semi-Semi Automatic Rifles)
Semi-Automatic Rifles (up to 22lr)
Shotguns over 2+1 shells in total capacity (24" Barrel 40" in total length)
Shotguns that have a 2+1 shell Capacity (Barrel under 24")
Straight Pull Rifles

Under Section 2 - Shotgun Certificates
Shotguns with a maximum capacity of 2+1 (2 in the magazine 1 in the Chamber)

These shotguns can be in pump action, lever action, break action and semi automatic, you can also buy as many Section 2 shotguns as you have capacity for as long as you notify the police within one week of purchase
Email notifications are allowed and are now the preferred method of notice.

Under Section 5 - Restricted weapons need to be a dealer.
Semi-automatics over 22lr (Legal in Jersey)
Fully-automatics
Handguns/SBRs (Citizens may own in NI and Crown Dependencies)
Most Explosives
Rocket launchers
Torpedoes

Under Section 7.3
Pistols manufactured before 1919 - However it must be clarified whether it is for the purposes of collection or shooting.
Weapons with Historic Significance.

Under Section 58 (2) (No License required)
Antique/Obsolete Calibre Weapons

(4b) The Current Status of the Offensive Weapons Bill of 2017/2019
The Offensive Weapons Bill of 2017/2019 has reached a strange stalemate, where in the current time as of writing (31/10/18) The Offensive weapons bill has been put on hold just before the report stage, The Bill was due to have its report stage and third reading on Monday 22 October 2018 but this has now been postponed to a date yet to be announced With this in mind it is best to lay out what is likely to be banned.

Under the Amendment introduced by Sir Geoffrey Clifton Brown MP if accepted, would introduce a Level 3 Security Measures (3 separate secure safes for component and munition storage) as a requirement for granting a firearms licence to a civilian for a high powered (50. cal) rifle by the police, defeating one of the main purposes of the bill to ban .50 cal rifles and ammunition however with Tory rebellion it is likely this amendment will be added to the bill and 50. Cal will more than likely remain legal.

Lever-Release Rifles are also rumoured to be safe however official confirmation has not been given with the firing rate of the rifle being often compared to a lever-action rifle the government is likely to be pressured to drop a proposed ban on such rifles.

Manually Actuated Release System Rifles, or more fondly referred to as Semi-Semi Automatic Rifles however will not get the same treatment, this class of firearm will likely get the axe as it can be “Fired rapidly”.

When the Offensive Weapons Bill passes through parliament and becomes law this guide will be updated again in due time afterwards and this section will be removed with Section (4a) being updated with what is still legal post Offensive Weapons Bill and what will then be officially Section 5 Weaponry.

(5)---The Application---
(5a) The Application Forms
To Apply for a Shotgun or Firearms Certificate fill out the following 201 Form found on the Government's website here.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/firearms-application-forms

To Make a Variation on your Firearms Certificate fill out the following 201V Form found on the Government's website here.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/667451/Form_201V_-_21_Nov_2017_-_PDF.pdf

To Apply for a Firearms Certificate in Northern Ireland
https://www.psni.police.uk/advice_information/firearms/forms

Remember for certain calibre firearms such as 22lr you are not required to put which type of action the firearm will be in, making the slot "Universal" meaning with that 22lr slot you can purchase a semi-automatic rifle, or a long barrelled pistol or a lever-action rifle for example as long as it is in 22lr.

(5b) Application Submission
The receipt for electronic applications, where these are available, will be automatically generated by the system. For hard copy applications, unless advised otherwise by the police, you should post or take the completed form together with the fee and photograph to the police firearms licensing department.

In the case of an application for renewal, a signed and dated recent copy of the certificate to be renewed should be sent to police when you submit your application.  If an application is being made for a variation the certificate to be varied must be included with your application. (You may wish to keep a copy of the certificate.)

(5c) How Long will the Application Take to Process?
This Largely depends on where you live and is quite bluntly a postcode lottery on how quickly your local constabulary will process and approve/renew your license.
To find out how long it will take you approximately linked below are the Government's own findings for years 2014/2015 as well as BASC's League Table for years 2016/2017

BASC's Firearms Licensing League Table 2016 / 2017
https://basc.org.uk/firearms/firearms-licensing-where-does-your-force-rank/
Table Alone
https://imgur.com/a/8fu5N2O

Government 2014/2015 Statistics
https://i.imgur.com/eapjAnr.png
Source: HMIC: An Inspection of the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Firearms Licensing in Police forces in England and Wales (Page 29) found here:
https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmicfrs/wp-content/uploads/firearms-licensing-targeting-the-risk.pdf

(5d) Congratulations
Congratulations! you should now be in possession of either a Firearm Certificate and/or Shotgun Certificate, Enjoy owning your own firearms.

(6)---How to Buy a Gun---
Depending upon the certificate(s) you receive buying a gun is a fairly simple process.

(6a) Section 1 Purchases
At your local RFD whatever calibre slot is available on your license you can purchase there and then, if you find a gun you want however do not have a slot on your license for make a Variation with the 201V form found here.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/667451/Form_201V_-_21_Nov_2017_-_PDF.pdf

(6b) Section 2 Purchases
See a shotgun that holds 2+1? Do you Like it? Yes? Well simply purchase it and mention to the police that you have done within 1 week of purchase

Email notifications are allowed and are now the preferred method of notice.

(7)---Additional Resources---
(7a) YouTube Channels
https://www.youtube.com/user/EnglishShooting
Dead Channel, Government Threatened to revoke his FAC and SGC licenses for politics, Info still very useful

https://www.youtube.com/user/RACKNLOAD
If Hickok45 was a Southerner he would have this channel

https://www.youtube.com/user/srspower

(7b) Firearm Associations
The British Association for Shooting and Conservation
https://basc.org.uk
The National Rifle Association
https://nra.org.uk/
ShootingUK
https://www.shootinguk.co.uk/

(7c) Local Club Finder
https://nra.org.uk/nra-affiliated-clubs/

(7d) Recommended Places from Anons
General Rule of thumb is that if you are new to shooting it is best to contact your local club and ask if it would be possible to come down and meet an experienced shooter or coach for a bit of 1 to 1 shooting. Do not go on one of the party-style shooting events. You will hit nothing and pay way too much money - experienced shooters will be able to offer you advice and stance changes that will have you hitting the target more times than not on your first trip.

England

Scotland

Wales

Northern Ireland
Kommandobooks Recommends the Thatch Clay Target Club.
-For about £10 they will have a 1 to 1 session on the small range to get you used to the firearms and hitting the target repeatedly, from a world class coach. Also contact NTSA to inquire about going to an event to try it out.

(7e) Gun Guides and Recommendations
/k/'s 22lr Rifle Guide
https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/amagicalplace/images/2/2c/5A_-_.22_rifles.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20130624204947

ShootingUK's Section 2 Shotgun Guide
https://www.shootinguk.co.uk/guns/buy-gun-guide

ShootingUK's Second hand Purchasing Guides
-For Rifles
https://www.shootinguk.co.uk/reviews/rifle/second-hand-rifle-buying-guide
-For Shotguns
Charles Smith-Jones' Gunsmith’s guide to buying guns second-hand
https://www.shootinguk.co.uk/guns/buy-gun-guide/a-gunsmiths-guide-to-buying-guns-second-hand-99252
Shane Robinson's What you need to know about buying a gun second-hand
https://www.shootinguk.co.uk/guns/buy-gun-guide/what-you-need-to-know-about-buying-a-gun-second-hand-97985

(7f) Online Dealers
-New Guns
https://www.sportsmanguncentre.co.uk/

-Surplus/Classic Weapons
https://www.highwoodclassicarms.co.uk/index.htm

-Slavophile/Soviet Weapons
http://www.rusmilitary.com

-Used Guns
https://www.gunstar.co.uk/
https://www.guntrader.uk/

(7g) Contact
If you have any Critiques or Additions please send a message to
GunAnon@protonmail.com

##Changelog
02/11/18
Added Github Link to Section (1a)
Added Rusmilitary RFD to Section (7f)
Added ShootingUK to Section (7b)
Added ShootingUK's Section 2 Shotgun guide to Section (7e)
Added ShootingUK's 2nd Purchasing Guides
Added the Consideration of hiring a proofreader with how many minor errors I've made.
Edited Section (0) - Title Changes
Edited Section (1b) - Minor Edits
Edited Section (1c) - Minor Edits for readability
Edited Section (2) - Changed United Kingdom to Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Edited Section (3) - Minor Corrections
Edited Section (3b) - Redundancy Removed for SGC referee.
Edited Section (3d) - Police WILL revoke your license for the smallest error.
Edited Section (3f) - Minor Grammar Edits (Addition of And)
Edited Section (3e) - Clarification on Safes
Edited Section (4) - Spacing Error for Explosives Certificates
Edited Section (4a) Removed Whether 50.cal will be banned under the OWB for Straight pull rifles
Edited Section (4b) Highlighted that this section will be removed post Offensive Weapons Bill
Edited Section (7d) - Removed and replaced GB and Added England, Scotland and Wales Sections for recommended places
Fixed Spacing Errors in Section(s) (4), (7e)
Minor Edits to Section (7f) New Guns Spacing Error fixed
Title Change - Section (3a) to "A Good Reason" The Reasons to own a Firearm (Applies to Section 1 Only) - Added "The"
Title Change - Section (7e) to Gun Guides and Recommendations from Gun Recommendations


31/10/18
Added RackNLoad under Section (7a)
Added Section (4b) The Current Status of the Offensive Weapons Bill of 2017/2019
Corrected Subsection of (3e) from the mistaken (2e)
Edited Section (1a) - New Trip Because I’m silly and forgot the old one.
Edited Section (4a) - Added SBRs under Section 5 (as they are legal in NI and CDs)
Edited Section (4a) - Removed the whether 50.cal will be banned under the OWB
Edited Title of Section (3e) from Safe Places are Safe Spaces (For Guns) to Safe Spaces are Safe Places (For Guns)
Minor Edits to Grammar in Sections (3a), (3f) and (7d)

06/09/18
Additions to the Visit
Additions to What Can I Own with a Firearms Certificate/Shotgun Certificate?
Additions to Section 5 and it's subsections
Added Contact under Section (7g)
Corrected Grammar and Error mistakes in What Can I Own with a Firearms Certificate/Shotgun Certificate?
Minor edit to Section 6b

31/08/18
Added Maintenance and Updates
Added Congratulations.
Added Firearm Associations
Edited The Visit
Minor Edits for Readability and error correction

24/08/2018
Corrected Spelling and Grammar Mistakes
Removed /Brit/ Graduation Section
Added How to Buy a Gun (How was that even missing)

18/08/2018
Added a lot
Removed 5.57