C4.79 Buying a Shotgun in the UK

Reminder: Recently, some guys want to buy guns in the UK. It’s allowed, but generally only shotguns are permitted, and you must hold a valid license to purchase one. The application process is relatively straightforward.

Serious reminder: It is illegal to possess, manufacture, import, sell, or have imitation firearms and related individual items in the UK—this constitutes an illegal act!

Of course, due to the diversity and complexity of the human species, you can technically choose to go without a license if you’re reckless enough. You know the consequences, and if you’re willing to bear them, that’s your choice. Similarly, if you want non-shotgun types of firearms, it might be possible if you’re bold enough or have strong connections, provided you can accept the resulting consequences.

For example, around 2019, a 22-year-old Chinese international student studying at the University of Warwick, shortly before his graduation, unexpectedly fired a blank gun multiple times onto the main road from his student dormitory window (a blank gun means firing without bullets). The loud noise caused immediate panic among local residents in the middle of the afternoon. After multiple calls to the police, officers arrived and cordoned off the area. An investigation revealed that the student had used a toy gun without bullets.

In the same year, another Chinese international student, around 25 years old, studying at the University of Exeter, suddenly pulled out a black imitation Beretta 92 on campus and threatened that he had 12 bullets, vowing to shoot anyone who dared to defy him. His remarks triggered an immediate campus panic. After the police were called and arrested him, he admitted it was just a prank intended to scare other Chinese students. The student regretted his actions deeply—he had already received a PhD offer and scholarship from a prestigious Canadian university. Due to this impulsive act, he was immediately expelled from the University of Exeter, and the Canadian university revoked his PhD admission and scholarship.

What happened to these two students? In addition to being expelled from their universities, they were generally sentenced to imprisonment. After serving their sentences, they were deported. Their cases also made the news and were publicly reported to serve as a warning to others.

So, how to obtain a license? You need to apply. First, you’ll need the firearms licensing-medical information proforma (a GP form). Then submit the application and wait for review. If you need it, I can write a guide, but the process is very simple—you can just search for it online, so it feels unnecessary to repeat the information. Besides, many platforms require rephrasing or alternative expressions to post content like this, which is a bit troublesome