Now I get into rifles, well sorry you can't have one without a good excuse and approved land to use it on, well a few years later I became a full time gamekeeper with a thousand acres so the police granted me permission to own a rifle. So far so good until I want another rifle, still have to go through the same lengthy procedure as the first one only to be told you already have a rifle in that caliber WHY would you need another in the same caliber? We are talking about the extremely dangerous .22 long rifle.
Think quick and say, the new one is also chambered for.22 shorts, oh that's ok then sir. Wanting a full bore centerfire rifle, it comes with the same criteria on what, why and where, I was not allowed by law to hunt with my .357 Mag as the police considered it a Gallery rifle for target shooting only, my 30/30 took me two years to acquire because the police said it was for shooting bears not foxes. Every few years I have to renew my firearm and shotgun certificate and answer all these same questions, why and where are each of these weapons used? Plus I require two people to vouch for me and my doctor has to confirm that I'm not insane.
Handguns were obviously a lot of fun but you must be in a recognised gun club and ONLY use the handgun there or at another MOD approved range. Leave the club or not attend for 12 months and the police will not issue you with permission to keep your handguns. At the time of the handgun ban I was then only using Cap n Ball pistols so I didn't have to give mine up until I left the shooting club.
Other UK shooters have different experiences due to the fact that different police forces follow different rules. I have not even mentioned our rules on ammunition but they are just as weird.
As most of you know, I have worked for Westley Richards and have been shooting nearly my whole life, my local gun dealer has me down as a servant of the company so I occasionally get to shoot fully auto AKs etc. and various pistols but that is quite rare in England.
To fight back against these stupid restrictions I have joined pro shooting organisations and written to those who hold power over me, I have marched on London with many thousands of pro shooting people all to no avail. We are condemned by the press as dangerous or just blood thirsty killers of wildlife and now the police are hoping to change the laws again making it even more difficult for youngsters to get into shooting sports.
Just a bit of insight into what we have to put up with over the pond.
PS it's like living in a country were every other person is Joe Biden.
. with the .410 here comes the Chief of Police , put Me in the squad car and drug Me to the farm yard. The Farmer just happened to be the Mayor of the City and told the Chief that I was on the payroll and was needed in the field not here on trial. 
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