Getting involved in the shooting sports in the UK can seem rather daunting to the complete beginner. It can be quite involved but as long as you understand what is required it is perfectly straightforward.
Legal Aspects.
This country tries to prevent criminal access to firearms by requiring all owners of firearms to hold a Firearms Certificate or Shotgun Certificate as appropriate. Of course, criminals do not apply for these certificates and merely obtain the firearms they want on the black market as they would do in any case in the absence of a certificate system. The certificate system puts a series of obstacles in front of would-be lawful owners of firearms which for the genuine applicant should provide few problems. The police administer the certificate system and the North East London area of the Metropolitan Police have a good website which takes you through the process very comprehensively. Different areas often have varying interpretations of the law and procedure but this usually can be resolved locally.
Access to Shooting without a Certificate. There are a number of legal ways of shooting without holding a Firearms Certificate or Shotgun Certificate. The principal way for Section 1 firearms, for which you need a FAC and which you want to use for target shooting, is to join a shooting club approved by the Home Office. In fact this is the method by which you can prove what is called "good reason" to apply for a certificate. The first task is therefore to find a suitable shooting club. The first step in this process is to use the "Clubfinder" service of Target Sports magazine. The magazine is available from newsagents (£2.50 per copy last time I look ed, but that was ages ago) or by subscription from the publishers [Target Sports, Peterson House, Northbank, Berryhill Industrial Estate, Droitwich, Worcs., WR9 9BL]. As well as providing this service the magazine provides a wide range of firearms related information including many articles on classics shooting.
For shotgun target shooting i.e. clay pigeon shooting find a clay club. You do not need to join before you apply for a shotgun certificate but it is advisable, especially if the club can offer tuition with club guns.
There are certain situations in quarry shooting in which you can shoot without a certificate, basically when the owner of land allows you to use his guns in his presence.
I hope you take up shooting and if you do I look forward to meeting you on a range or in the field sometime. If I can help you with any information please e-mail me, I will be glad to help.
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Updated 24 Dec 2004