UK's gun laws are among the toughest in the world
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Britain is one of the most regulated countries in the world when it comes to owning guns.
Shotguns, rifles and handguns are each treated differently under the law, with shotguns the easiest to obtain and handguns, after Thomas Hamilton's massacre in Dunblane, the most difficult.
Licences are needed to own either shotguns, which must have a minimum barrel length and which fire shot, or firearms, which shoot either bullets or pellets in single rounds. Shotgun and firearm licences will only be issued after a police-approved firearms liaison officer is satisfied that the owner is a fit and proper person.
Anyone who has been imprisoned for three years or more is banned for life from having a gun, and a prison sentence of three months or longer results in a five-year ban from licensed ownership. An owner who then earns a criminal record will have the licence revoked.
The licensing process requires applicants to undergo checks and interviews and police have wide discretion in deciding whether or not to approve them.
Bolt-action rifles are the only firearms which most gun enthusiasts can expect to be able to own. Handguns are classified in the same category as machine guns and semi-automatic rifles and are virtually unobtainable legally, except for organisations such as the police.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments