My First No.4 Mk1*

[RazorBurn]

WRONG. I personally own 73 rifles and pistols. A friend has 38 Enfields. Cartridge pistols are difficult and semi and centre fire rifles are almost impossible.
Rifles such as the one in question just require a 'Firearm Certificate', just look at any picture of the NRA ranges at Bisley.

I am pleased to say that firearms ownership here in the UK is alive and well despite the fact that every time something happens regarding the use of a firearm it seems that the legal gun owners who get it in the neck.
Pistols are banned with a very few exceptions, except if you live in Northern Ireland, no I don't understand that either. Any semi automatic rifle over .22 is also banned again with a very few exceptions but in both cases they are not available to the public.
The law on de-acts has recently been changed by a directive from the European Commission and now any deactivated gun / firearm that does not meet the new specification must be bought up to speed and then resubmitted to a proof house for recertification.
Now for the good bit, if you own a deactivated gun / firearm you are allowed to keep it but it is illegal to sell, lend, give or bequeath it to any other person on pain of a very heavy fine and or a prison sentence. The only options are to either pay to have it brought up to the new spec or hand it in for destruction, this was of course a very clever ploy by those in power to avoid paying compensation to owners of some very expensive deactivated guns.
Those in the UK will no doubt be aware of the millions that was spent in compensation after the pistol ban and I am sure that the powers that be did not want to have to pay up again.........

Thank you both for the replies, and informing me about rifle ownership in your neck of the woods. Our media paints your firearms ownership in a different light over here so I figured it's best to ask someone at the source.

Information

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[RobD]

In the UK you need to be a member of a club and after about 6 months you can get your firearms certificate.

Your family doctor will also be contacted to make sure you are not known to be unstable, drug addicted, etc.

Now, I was at Bisley shooting today and I was literally the only person shooting at the huge range - just because it was raining.

IMHO there are 3 main reasons why so few people shoot or collect firearms in the UK:
(1) In the first place, they aren't interested.
(2) In the second place, they can't be bothered with the [entirely achievable] paperwork / bureaucracy and the 6 months wait.
(3) In the third place, they weren't interested in the first place.

Rob