Calling all U.K. forum members. I may be relocating to England for some time. Help!

[Cougfan2]

To any forum members from the UK, I know there are a couple of you.

There's a good chance that I may be moving to the UK for 6 mos. or possibly longer to help my company start up their European sales operation.

I would appreciate any advice and help in understanding UK firearms law and what I can take with me over there and what I can't, and what kind of hoops I will have to jump thru to bring any of my guns with me.

I'm just going to assume that any of my AR's or semi auto rifles, pump shotguns, and semi auto pistols are a no go, but I'm not 100% sure.

Please school me via reply to this post or PM.

Thanks,

Cougfan2

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[SonicBlue03]

Can I bring firearms into the UK?


Short answer: you can't.

 

[james83]

I belive you have to be a resident in the UK for 5years before you can apply for a Shotgun or Firearm certificate Which are required to have to own Firearms. You could try to make friends with someone in pocession of a Shotgun or Firearm certificate and in their presense and under their supervision you could use their Gun to say do some skeet/trap shooting.

I belive the only people allowed to bring a firearm into the UK legally would be a visitor on a pre-arranged hunting trip or Secret Service agent.

Honestly I would give up any hope of being in possession of firearms while you are in the UK. While you are in the UK you will quickly realize that the only people without Firearms are law abiding people, The gangs are all armed as are some police officers.

The Firearm laws on the smaller islands such as the Isle of Man and Northern Ireland are slightly different than England,Scotland and Wales.

 

[Cougfan2]

Can I bring firearms into the UK?


Short answer: you can't.

Somewhat lengthy answer, you can, but it appears to be a real pain.

Any other constructive input will be appreciated.

 

[SonicBlue03]

Somewhat lengthy answer, you can, but it appears to be a real pain.

Any other constructive input will be appreciated.

I'm assuming (and please do correct me if I'm wrong) that you're thinking of personal carry/personal protection. There isn't real game per se worth hunting and gun usage is generally restrained to hunting/shooting clubs and maybe shotgun possession well out of city limits.

US visitors should be aware of the following:

Visitors from the United States can not apply for a visitor's permit. A person resident in the United Kingdom (the "sponsor") must apply for the permit on behalf of the visitor. The sponsor can be a private individual, a club, shooting organisation, a country estate, or a shooting syndicate.

Unless you're planning on renouncing your U.S. citizenship or you have friends that are willing to submit on your behalf the answer is still no. And if you're thinking concealed carry or personal defense (unless you're planning on fox hunting on horseback) you're still out of luck.

Don't let your inability to defend yourself via firearm deter you from enjoying England. It's beautiful countryside, and the historical sites you can visit are worth it. It's grown a bit since 86, but even then it was a memorable country to visit.

 

[SonicBlue03]

<broken link removed>

This gives you a rundown on what firearms are accessible/used in the U.K.

 

[Cougfan2]

Sonic, I am not thinking of personal carry or protection as I know that is not remotely possible in the UK. The only thinking was if I could possibly bring my Browning O/U shotgun to do some trap shooting or possibly have in house for personal protection.

I assume it's a long shot, but just checking it out.

Thanks for the link. I'll check it out.

 

[Cougfan2]

<broken link removed>

This gives you a rundown on what firearms are accessible/used in the U.K.

Thank you for the link! Very educational!

 

[Misterbill]

I have traveled to the UK on numerous occasions over 35 years.

The last time was such a downer that I'll never go again until they have a revolution.

The security state of the UK makes our TSA look like the nannies at your pre-school. Seriously, I;'m not kidding. Go to the parliament building and you'll see Met Police with MP%s out in full display.

Cameras are EVERYWHERE. There is not "reasonable expectation of privacy" argument in front of a British Court. You can be recorded virtually anywhere, without your knowledge or consent.

Their violent crime rate is higher than that in the USA. -If you feel safe knowing that statistic and that you're disarmed by law that's not eeven questioned by 90% of the population of sheep, go for it. Me? Not so much.

The UK can go to Hell. It's truly become the worst of the Euro nanny-states. with assaults on civil liberties that make France or Germany look like paragons of civil liberties. (Those of you with extensive travel experience can grasp the sarcasm in that statement).

Not going to give my tourist dollars to a country that craps all over civil liberties and yet pretends it's anything other than a socialist nanny-state. I'd rather vacation in Syria. At least it doesn't pretend it's a democratic country. Points for honesty beats the negs for liars and totalitarians with a nicer face.

 

[Sincere]

I know this is totally off-topic from OP's question....

They outlawed guns and now the UK has the highest stabbing rates in the world... Glasgow being the capital.

Point being, people who want to hurt other people will do so no matter what laws you enact.