michael68 Posted January 8, 2014 Report Share Posted January 8, 2014 Hi I'm thinking of starting shooting and need some information about how to get the shotgun certificate and hunting license. What do i need to do to buy a shotgun ect... I also went quite couple of times mainly wildfowling with a friend so I'm not new to this.thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbiep Posted January 8, 2014 Report Share Posted January 8, 2014 (edited) To obtain a SGC, you apply to your local police. Their website will (should) have the forms. If you've ever been to prison or in serious trouble in the past, then your chances drop markedly, unless a long time ago. Various meds and conditions can also affect your chances. DO NOT LIE on the application forms. Some of the criteria they use is whether you are of 'temperate habits', and reliability, law-abidingness and honesty are all critical If you have nothing preventing you from obtaining a SGC, then you'll need secure storage. Brattonsound cabinets are v good, must be securely mounted to 'the fabric of the building'. You'll get a home visit from the police, they will interview you to check if you are a psycho or not. They will also look at your storage, and might try hanging off the cabinet to see if properly secured. If it (and you) pass, then you'll get your certificate. Now you can buy a shotgun (or 2, or 3 ...) Join BASC / SACS / CA / other appropriate organisation. Get a couple of lessons at a clay ground for gun safety. Your 'mate' might talk a good safe shoot, but he might have bad habits that would terrify a lot of safe shooters. Join a clay club, if any around you. A good place to get better, and lots of banter and fun For hunting, there aren't any 'hunting licences' in England or Wales. There are a lot of other restrictions though ... 1. You must have the landowners consent to shoot. Failure = armed trespass. Not a good idea (possibly prison, almost certain loss of SGC) 2. Lots of 'game' - pheasants, woodcock, waterfowl, etc, have seasons. Shoot outside the seasons = offences under WACA (wildlife and countryside act). Also not good. 3. Even a lot of what you might think of as 'pests' have protection under parts of the law. For example, woodpigeons. Only under certain circumstances can you shoot them. A good idea is to have a look at the Home office police firearms guide. Yes, it's a drag to read, BUT ignorance of the law is not a defence in a courtroom. You can find it here ... https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/firearms-law-guidance-to-the-police-2012 Sorry it's quite a bit to read Edited January 8, 2014 by robbiep Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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