Since opening Dauntsey Guns in 2010 we have been asked on many occasions about firearms certificate applications and how to get firearms certificate. This guide is intended to answer the most frequently asked questions (faq s) about the current UK application process.

In order to obtain a personal Firearms certificate you can either contact your local Police firearms unit or download the firearms certificate application forms from their website. If you live in Wiltshire the forms can be downloaded using this link http://www.wiltshire.police.uk/

Completing a firearms certificate is actually quite straightforward; the first thing to do is decide if you would like a conterminous firearms certificate. The advantage of this is that a coterminous firearms certificate costs less than a separate shotgun and Firearms certificate of FAC.

Having decided this you then need to decide which slots you require on the FAC. In most cases the police authorities prefer you to start with either an FAC rated air rifle or rim fire rifle. The most common example and one of the best rifles available is the .22LR. This is still the best calibre for shooting rabbits using subsonic ammunition as it causes the minimum amount of flesh damage and means that any healthy rabbits you shoot should be fit for human consumption providing they are not shot in the gut. The reason that the .22 LR is kind to its quarry is that when used with subsonic ammunition it typically produces around 90 to 100 ftlbs of muzzle energy and because of this has limited range and is typically zeroed at between 50 and 60 yards.

Another rim fire rifle which has become very popular is the .17 HMR. The .17HMR produces around 255 ftlbs and is the highest velocity rimfire rifle currently available at around 2550 feet per second. For this reason the .17HMR has a much greater maximum point blank range or mpbr and is typically zeroed at over 100yds. Because of this it is perfectly possible to shoot rabbits out to a beyond 150 yds. While .17HMR can be effective on foxes at shorter ranges the frangible nature of the ballistic tip can cause it to break up on impact with a rib causing a surface wound. Many police authorities prefer to issue slots for the .17 because it is less prone to ricochet than the .22LR

The other main rim fire calibre is the .22 WMR or .22 Magnum, while not as fast or flat as the .17 it is one of our favourite calibres. The WMR has a much greater range of bullets available ranging from 30 to 50 grains, these bullets are available with soft point, hollow point and ballistic tips. The 30 grain rounds typically produce a muzzle velocity of around 2200 fps and giving a typical zero of around 125 yards. The .22 WMR is the undisputed Fox king of the rimfire rifles with almost 100 ftlbs more muzzle energy than the .17 and a greater range of ammunition the .22 MAG can be used for long range rabbit control and for the humane despatch of foxes with a well-placed shot in excess of 120 yds.

When completing your firearms application it is also a good idea to include a moderator slot for each rifle slot you require, as these can be exchanged for other slots using a one for one variation at no additional cost later.

Firearms certificate faq

The table below is intended for you to compare the pros and cons of the rimfire calibres.

 

 

There is no requirement for a firearms certificate for air rifles which produce less than 12 ftlbs of muzzle energy.

*The current cost for a current uk firearms certificate application is £50 and the cost for a coterminous firearms certificate is £60. Both is these

*The current cost for a firearms certificate renewal fee is £50

(*)Fees correct at time of publication but are currently being reviewed.