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Guns in the UK...

Posted on 02/18/2019 10:14:31 AM PST by Da_Shrimp

Sometimes it seems from reading posts on here that the average Freeper thinks that guns are pretty much banned in the UK. They aren't, though.

Handguns are banned (unfortunately), but otherwise we have a reasonable choice of legal weaponry, including Accuracy International sniper rifles if you have £23K to spare. Semi-automatic rifles are limited to .22 rimfire, but bolt-action rifles are not.

Here's a link to my nearest gun dealer, so you can see what's available this side of the pond:

https://www.thecountryman.com/

Comments welcome - not trying to start any fights, just interested in opinions. Personally I own a Mossberg 500 and am looking for a semi-auto shotgun for clay breaking as my arthritis is getting increasingly irritating! :-)


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: banglist; england; gunlaws; guns; restrictions; uk
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To: Da_Shrimp

****reasonable choice of legal weaponry, including Accuracy International sniper rifles if you have £23K to spare....****

Reasonable choice would be $300 and “face to face” transaction....without government. 23K ($32,200) is not “reasonable”.


41 posted on 02/18/2019 11:04:59 AM PST by mikelets456
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To: LibWhacker
Is it a requirement that any gun stored in a person's house be locked up in a safe (or gun cabinet) in the furthest reaches of the house where the gun would be completely useless in an emergency?

Guns are required to be locked in a safe located where casual visitors can't see it. Bedroom is fine, attic (just up the stairs from our bedroom in my case) is also fine. Local Police will visit and check arrangements. To refuse a licence, they have to prove why you shouldn't be allowed one. I have a right to own a shotgun.

42 posted on 02/18/2019 11:07:15 AM PST by Da_Shrimp (Dum vivimus, vivamus!)
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To: Da_Shrimp

You have been allowed
To “Use” a shotgun.
.
Thanks for sharing.


43 posted on 02/18/2019 11:11:03 AM PST by Big Red Badger (Despised by the Despicable!)
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To: mikelets456
23K ($32,200) is not “reasonable”

Accuracy International full-on military sniper rifles are not cheap. How much would one cost in the US?

.308 is £3,375:

ACCURACY INTERNATIONAL AT .308 / 7.62X51 BLACK FIXED STOCK RIFLE

OTOH you can get less exotic rifles for a lot less.

44 posted on 02/18/2019 11:13:44 AM PST by Da_Shrimp (Dum vivimus, vivamus!)
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To: antidemoncrat
Don't know what to tell you mate. Love you guys and sorry about your plight.


45 posted on 02/18/2019 11:16:35 AM PST by Bonemaker (invictus maneo)
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To: rebel25; Da_Shrimp

> All 50 states are required to allow concealed carry <

Da_Shrimp, don’t carry at all until you VERY sure of the local laws. Just don’t do it. Until you get the local laws down pat, carry police-grade pepper spray. The Fox brand is good.

rebel25 is right. US gun rights are expanding. But in some places the police will arrest you even with the Constitution on your side. Maryland is like that. So is New York City and Washington DC. There are others.

I was talking about this with a NRA lawyer awhile back. He says that in those places, the cops WILL arrest you. You’ll spend time in a hell-hole jail. Sure, you might get off with all the charges dropped. But your legal fees will be extensive.

Bottom line: Don’t carry until you know exactly what the local laws are.


46 posted on 02/18/2019 11:17:14 AM PST by Leaning Right (I have already previewed or do not wish to preview this composition.)
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To: Big Red Badger
You have been allowed To “Use” a shotgun. . Thanks for sharing.

This post came out of a conversation with an American friend who thought we were't allowed anything at all and was astonished I had a pump-action shotgun in my house. That's it, really. The discussion has been interesting so far.

47 posted on 02/18/2019 11:17:37 AM PST by Da_Shrimp (Dum vivimus, vivamus!)
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To: Bonemaker

Love it! One day maybe!


48 posted on 02/18/2019 11:18:05 AM PST by Da_Shrimp (Dum vivimus, vivamus!)
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To: matt1234

“What good is a gun for self-defense if the law prevents you from using it in that capacity?”

Exactly! With no right of self defense (which is NOT a valid reason for a gun license in UK & Australia) a British citizen who uses a gun in self defense is arrested & charged.

If the police determine that the citizen’s actions were justified, then the conviction is set aside, supposedly to prevent double jeopardy. But it’s guilty until proven innocent.

Britons will argue that there’s no gun culture in UK as in the US, few citizens want to own firearms, and government is to be basically trusted.

Our gun rights were born in rebellion from an oppressor (Britain) and sustained throughout the frontier era, Civil War, and confiscatory campaigns, though unsuccessful, placed the government in an adversary position with the citizenry on the matter of personal liberty.

Prior to 1920 there were no gun laws to speak of in Britain. But this was the era of the Russian Revolution and the attempt to spread communism, along with labor violence. British soldiers returned from the Great War with thousands of souvenir pistols & rifles, and uncertain prospects for employment. His Majesty’s government feared armed insurrection and the first registration & licensing laws were passed.

These laws have progressed to the banning of handguns and semiauto rifles in the 1990’s; since all firearms are registered in UK, the police know exactly whom to confront & demand the surrender of such weapons.

Without a national gun registry in America, the banners & confiscators face a highly problematic situation.

All that being said, I own four Lee Enfield rifles from the WWI era and they are fine shooters. I have seen vids of Enfield owners’ clubs in Britain with huge firing lines. Going shooting with O/U shotguns is fine sport in UK, though heavily supervised.

But that .455 Webley revolver in my safe is beyond the pale in UK today.


49 posted on 02/18/2019 11:21:37 AM PST by elcid1970 (My gun safe is saying, "Room for one more, honey!")
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To: Da_Shrimp

“No. The farmer who was arrested for shooting someone had chased the intruder outside, then shot him. Is that legal in the US, once an intruder has left? Can you chase him down and shoot him>”

Depends on circumstances and state law but generally no you can’t. Once the physical threat to yourself and/or others is over best not (unfortunately).


50 posted on 02/18/2019 11:22:08 AM PST by Bonemaker (invictus maneo)
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To: Leaning Right
If you're not allowed to own a gun for personal defense against 1) criminals or 2) a tyrannical government, then any other reason for which ownership is permitted is a total joke in comparison, and can easily be dismissed and tossed overboard as well.

Which is why, imo, most red blooded Americans are prepared to fight and die to prevent it. Nobody wants to live in a tyranny, especially under the thumb of the leftist jerkoffs in America.

51 posted on 02/18/2019 11:26:12 AM PST by LibWhacker
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To: elcid1970
Thanks for the post - I'm aware of the history of gun laws in the UK, including the crackdown on ownership post WW1. Semiauto rifles are still legal here, but restricted to .22 calibre, eg:

Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 Performance Centre

And yes, you're right - we need to be registered. Occasionally, though, boating accidents happen. Apparently.

52 posted on 02/18/2019 11:34:08 AM PST by Da_Shrimp (Dum vivimus, vivamus!)
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To: Da_Shrimp
No criticism of you personally, but after your country’s experience at the beginning of WWII, one would think that England would be more like Norway when it comes to firearms laws. I guess there is a difference to being almost invaded and actually having been invaded and subjugated.
The US had much stricter firearms laws 50 years ago then today. But it became apparent that the only ones obeying those laws were the law abiding. The citizens felt like sheep and the “rights” of the wolves were being protected by the sheep dogs. Now, after a lot of work to change laws, we can defend our homes and person. The only dangerous places now are “Gun Free Zones”.
53 posted on 02/18/2019 11:43:00 AM PST by MCF (If my home can't be my Castle, then it will be my Alamo)
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To: MCF

I agree: I should think we’d be more like Norway too in that respect.


54 posted on 02/18/2019 11:58:17 AM PST by Da_Shrimp (Dum vivimus, vivamus!)
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To: Da_Shrimp

It is in most state with the proper license. Some liberal states make it very difficult to get one like California and New York.


55 posted on 02/18/2019 12:03:33 PM PST by antidemoncrat
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To: Da_Shrimp

It is in most state with the proper license. Some liberal states make it very difficult to get one like California and New York.


56 posted on 02/18/2019 12:03:33 PM PST by antidemoncrat
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To: antidemoncrat
I don’t consider rifles as legal weaponry except for home defense.

The 2nd Amendment says nothing about rifles. It says "arms", which includes any implement that can be employed for offensive or defensive purposes, including rifles.

57 posted on 02/18/2019 12:04:05 PM PST by Windflier (Pitchforks and torches ripen on the vine. Left too long, they become black rifles.)
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To: Da_Shrimp

What about pump and lever actions? Are they restricted like semi-auto?


58 posted on 02/18/2019 12:04:30 PM PST by taxcontrol
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To: Bonemaker

You sent this to the wrong person as I’m a US citizen and not the person that posted it. By the way, almost every picture you posted enforces my belief that open carry is dangerous. How many of these pistol packers could a person walk up behind and relieve them of it. I’ll keep mine hidden until I need it.


59 posted on 02/18/2019 12:08:59 PM PST by antidemoncrat
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To: real saxophonist
But how much can you use? I'm reminded of the lyrics, My Maserati does 185, I lost my license, now I don't drive'.

You can use them at gun clubs, eg:

Derby Rifle and Pistol Club

And you can keep them in your home. . Clay pigeon shooting is even more common

60 posted on 02/18/2019 12:10:47 PM PST by Da_Shrimp (Dum vivimus, vivamus!)
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