About UK Firearms Licensing Knowledge
In the UK, owning a firearm requires either a Firearms Certificate (Section 1, for rifles and some shotguns) or a Shotgun Certificate (Section 2, for smooth-bore shotguns), issued by your local police force. There is no formal written exam, but applicants must demonstrate genuine knowledge of the Firearms Act 1968 (and subsequent amendments), safe storage requirements, and their legal obligations as a certificate holder. Officers assess knowledge through the application process and home visit. This practice test covers the legal knowledge that firearms applicants, certificate renewers, and new shooters need to understand.
The knowledge assessment covers four core areas:
- Firearms Legislation: the Firearms Act 1968 (as amended by the 1988, 1992, 1994, and 1997 Acts), definitions of Section 1 and Section 2 firearms, prohibited weapons (Section 5), and the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006
- Safe Storage: requirements for a securely fixed, locked steel cabinet; separate storage of ammunition; requirements for transport (unloaded, separate from ammunition, concealed); police inspection rights
- Conditions and Obligations: certificate conditions, good reason requirements, notification obligations (change of address, loss or theft, death), coterminous renewals, and the 5-year renewal cycle
- Categories and Prohibited Items: distinguishing Section 1 (rifles, pistols, restricted since 1997), Section 2 (smooth-bore shotguns), and Section 5 (prohibited: semi-automatic centrefire rifles, self-loading pistols, etc.)
Important: Possession of a firearm without a valid certificate, or failure to comply with certificate conditions (including storage requirements), is a criminal offence under the Firearms Act 1968. Maximum penalties range from 5 to 10 years' imprisonment depending on the offence. A GP medical declaration is required for Firearms Certificate applications, and a mental health check is part of the police assessment.
Key UK Firearms Law Facts to Know
- Section 1 firearms: Rifles, pistols (heavily restricted since the Firearms (Amendment) Acts 1997 following Dunblane), and some shotguns with magazine capacity exceeding 3 cartridges
- Section 2 shotguns: Smooth-bore guns with a barrel not less than 24 inches and a non-detachable magazine holding no more than 2 cartridges
- Section 5 (prohibited): Semi-automatic centrefire rifles, self-loading pistols, burst-fire weapons, CS spray, prohibited without special authority
- Certificate duration: Firearms Certificates and Shotgun Certificates are valid for 5 years before renewal
- Storage: Must be stored in a securely fixed steel gun cabinet, police can inspect at any time to verify compliance
- Loss or theft: Must be reported to police immediately
- Good reason: Applicants must demonstrate a genuine reason for holding each firearm, target shooting, deer stalking, pest control, etc.
- Medical declaration: A GP declaration confirming no medical reasons to refuse is required for Firearms Certificates
- Under-18s: Can shoot supervised with an adult certificate holder's firearm but cannot hold their own certificate until 14 (shotgun) or 17 (firearms)
Police firearms licensing departments and shooting organisations provide no structured practice question sets. Practice Tests UK fills that gap with 100+ realistic questions covering all areas of UK firearms law with step-by-step explanations for every answer.
| Feature | Police Licensing / BASC / CPSA | Practice Tests UK |
|---|
| Practice questions | None | 100+ questions |
| Answer explanations | None | Every question |
| Instant feedback | No | Yes |
| Progress tracking | No | Yes |
| Drill by topic area | No | Yes |
Free sample: Try 10 free questions below. Use Drill Mode to focus on the area you find hardest.
