Gun Law in the UK

The details below are believed to be correct and are shown here as a guide to assist both existing shooters and those interested in taking up the sport.

It is an offence under section 21 of the Firearms Act of 1968 as amended, for anyone convicted of a criminal offence, to handle, possess, or shoot a firearm and ammunition (this includes Air Guns). If the sentence was for more than three years the prohibition is for life; if less than three years the prohibition is for 5 years (Note: it is the sentence, not the time served, which is the determining factor).

Shotgun certificates
Any UK resident can apply to the police for a shotgun certificate. This covers smooth-bore guns with barrels longer than 24" which either do not have a magazine or a permanently fixed magazine which cannot hold more than 2 cartridges.
Applicants do not have to prove they have a good reason for acquiring a shotgun, but the police can refuse if they think the reason is not genuine.
Application forms can be obtained from police stations.
Completed forms must be countersigned by a person of some standing in the community; this could be your employer, a professional person, a minister of religion civil servant, bank officer or someone whose name appears in a public work of reference. Countersignatures must be UK residents of good character who have known you for at least two years. Relatives may not countersign.
The police will visit you to interview you about the application and to give advice about the security measures you will need to store your shotgun. Most people find a steel gun cabinet is the best option.
Once you have a shotgun certificate it is valid for 5 years and there is no limit to the number of shotguns you can acquire, providing you store them securely when not in use.
The police cannot put any condition on a shotgun certificate restricting the use of the shotguns to which it relates.

Firearm certificates
Any UK resident can apply to the police for a firearm certificate. This covers rifles and shotguns with magazines which hold more than 2 cartridges.
Applicants must give a good reason for every firearm they wish to acquire. The police will want evidence you have permission to shoot on land. There is no legal requirement to provide written permission, but this may speed up the process if you can.
You must supply the names of two referees, who must be resident in the UK, not members of your immediate family, who are of good character and who have known you for at least two years.
There is no legal requirement to pass any test or undertake any training prior to the grant of a firearm certificate.
Application and referee forms can be obtained from police stations or the forms can be filled in online and printed.
A Firearm Certificate is valid for 5 years and a variation must be obtained before any firearm can be added to it. It will be issued subject to restrictive conditions.

Fees
Cost of Firearms and Shotgun Certificates

Firearms Certificates (Valid for 5 years)

Grant of firearm certificate £50.00
Renewal of firearm certificate £40.00
Variation of a firearm certificate (other than when it is renewed at the same time) so as to increase the number of firearms to which the certificate relates. £26.00
Replacement of a firearm certificate which has been lost or destroyed. £ 9.00

Shot Gun Certificates (Valid for 5 years)

Grant of Shot Gun Certificate £50.00
Renewal of Shot Gun Certificate £40.00
Replacement of Shot Gun Certificate which has been lost or destroyed £8.00
Renewal of Shot Gun Certificate which expires at the same time as a firearms certificate (co-terminus) £10.00

Co-Terminus Certificate for both Firearms and Shotgun (Valid for 5 years) Grant of co-terminus certificate. £60 (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.

European Firearm Passes
All EU shooters who wish to shoot in Great Britain with their own firearms.
Must have in their possession a valid Visitor Permit and European Firearms Pass (EFP)
Under section 17 of the 1988 Firearms Act, visitors to Great Britain may, if they are granted the appropriate permit, have in their possession firearms, shotguns or ammunition without holding a certificate.
Specifically, they may have:
A) A Visitor's Firearm permit
B) A Visitor's Shotgun permit