What's the age limit for shotgun users?

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What's the age limit for shotgun users?

It is an offence for anyone under the age of 17 to buy or hire a firearm, including an airgun.

By David Barrington Barnes

Friday, 05 September 2008

My three sons, aged 18, 16 and 14 are all keen on game and pigeon shooting. Can they all have shotgun certificates?

Unless your chief constable considers your sons cannot be permitted to possess a shotgun without danger to the public safety or the peace, they should all be granted certificates.

There are no lower age limits which of themselves prevent young persons having shotgun certificates, and their applications turn on whether they may possess guns safely.

However, the law treats youngsters of various ages differently.

It is an offence for anyone under the age of 17 to buy or hire a firearm, including an airgun.

Between 15 and 17 years old, a youngster may be in possession of a shotgun, even though he or she may not buy or hire one.

Under the age of 15, a youngster can only be in possession of a shotgun if supervised by an adult aged 21 or over or if the gun is covered with a securely fastened gun cover to prevent it being fired.

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Comments

jack shellard

Mon, 31st Jan 2011 19:12:55

hi i am 14 can i have a shot gun in my own home with a licence or do i have to borrow one

nick samue

Wed, 3rd Nov 2010 10:38:04

hi i do quite a bit of shooting with my dads mates with a shot gun and i was wondering how old do you have to be until your aloud to reply for a shot gun licsence as i would like one ?

Gavin M

Sun, 10th Oct 2010 13:28:26

Just a quick question 2 any1 out there. I am 16 so can i use a shotgun on my own legally on land i have permission on? I have got a shotgun certificate.

ryan jeffery

Tue, 19th Jan 2010 19:25:35

so say im nearly fithteen so i can legally go out shooting with an 21 year old and use a shotgun my self with out owning any licsence and i can buy one at the age of 16

gh

Mon, 1st Jun 2009 21:17:05

Just a quick question 2 any1 out there. I am 16 so can i use a shotgun on my own legally? I have got a shotgun certificate.

jamie rees

Sun, 3rd May 2009 21:27:29

hi so i can legally own a shotgun if i have a shotgun licence.butcan go shooting on a private piece of land with the owners permison on my own

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