The essential point is that the classes of weapon most widely owned in Britain were always shotguns and various categories of hunting rifle. Since these have not been banned, the actual pattern of gun ownership in this country has not greatly changed after the various control measures. In fact shotgun ownership has actually increased, largely because of the increasing popularity of gamebird shooting and other country shooting sports (which in my area are tending to replace the golf course as the favourite networking day out for city businessmen).
Since you both are in the UK and know a lot more about what’s going on it seems because of local media, as well as what kinds of fire arms are allowed, maybe one or both of you could give a bit more information?
I think most American freepers who are mis- or ill-informed would prefer to be well informed.