Gun ownership and the law

Diggory Hadoke explains some complexities of firearms law and explores the things we should be doing to ensure we stay on the right side of it

- DIGGORY HADOKE

Anyone with an interest in classic firearms will at some point run into one of a number of legal issues and need to be able to navigate them with confidence. Without up-to-date knowledge of the law as it relates to the firearms we use, display, buy and sell, we run a daily risk of falling foul of it and getting into trouble. As firearms indiscretions are not without consequence, a good reference book is an essential part of the gunroom library.

Did you know, for example, that three speeding fines in a four-year period could jeopardise your shotgun and firearms licences? Likewise, social media posts indicating a lack of acceptance or hostility towards British Firearms Law can be interpreted as suggesting you are unlikely to co-operate with the licensing department and could, therefore, have your certificates revoked.

Just applying for your licence is important to get right. You must declare all and any offences from the past, no matter how trivial and how long ago. If you don’t and the police notice, you will not be granted a certificate. Once you get your certificate, you must sign it to validate it. Failure to do so potentially lands you six months in prison and an unlimited fine.