13-Jul-2026
The classification of firearms under UK law confuses more people than almost any other aspect of shooting. Whether you are new to the sport and trying to work out what certificates you need, or an experienced shooter who has never quite pinned down why your mate's shotgun is on his FAC rather than his SGC, this guide explains the framework clearly. The Firearms Act 1968 is the foundation of UK firearms legislation, and understanding how it categorises different types of guns is essential for anyone who owns, plans to own, or simply wants to understand firearms in the UK.
The Firearms Act 1968: The foundation
The Firearms Act 1968 is the primary piece of legislation governing the possession, purchase, and use of firearms in England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own additional legislation, but the 1968 Act provides the core framework that applies across Great Britain. The Act divides firearms into several categories, but for practical purposes the two that matter most to civilian shooters are Section 1 and Section 2.
The Act has been amended numerous times since 1968, most significantly by the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988 following Hungerford and the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997 following Dunblane, which effectively prohibited the private ownership of handguns in Great Britain. The core structure of Section 1 and Section 2 has remained broadly consistent, and understanding it is the key to navigating UK firearms law. This guide covers the law as it applies in England and Wales. Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the Channel Islands have variations that may differ in important details, so always consult current legislation or your local firearms licensing department if uncertain.
What is a Section 1 firearm?
A Section 1 firearm is, broadly speaking, any firearm that is not a shotgun as defined by Section 2, is not a prohibited weapon under Section 5, and is not an air weapon below the legal power threshold. In practical terms, Section 1 covers rifles, certain shotguns (more on this below), and higher-powered air weapons.
The most common Section 1 firearms held by UK civilians are bolt-action rifles used for deer stalking, vermin control, and target shooting. Calibres such as .22LR, .243 Winchester, .308 Winchester, and 6.5 Creedmoor are all Section 1, as are all centrefire and rimfire rifles regardless of calibre or action type.
Section 1 also includes semi-automatic and pump-action rifles in .22 rimfire, which remain legal in the UK. The Ruger 10/22 is a well-known example widely held on FACs across the country. Centrefire semi-automatic and pump-action rifles were prohibited for civilian use following the 1988 legislation. Straight-pull rifles such as the Blaser R8 and Merkel Helix are also Section 1 firearms, classified as manually operated because the shooter must physically operate the bolt for each shot.
To possess a Section 1 firearm, you must hold a Firearm Certificate (FAC) issued by your local police force. Each individual firearm must be specifically authorised on your certificate, and conditions regarding storage, use, and ammunition quantities are attached.
What is a Section 2 firearm?
Section 2 of the Firearms Act covers shotguns, but the definition is more specific than most people realise. A Section 2 shotgun must have a barrel length of at least 24 inches, an overall length of at least 40 inches, no magazine or a non-detachable magazine that cannot hold more than two cartridges, and must not be a revolver gun. If a shotgun meets all these criteria, it falls under Section 2 and can be held on a Shotgun Certificate (SGC).
The vast majority of shotguns in the UK are Section 2 firearms. Standard over-and-under shotguns like the Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon, side-by-side game guns, and most semi-automatic shotguns with their magazines restricted to two rounds all qualify. If you walk into a gun shop and look at the rack of shotguns on display, the overwhelming majority will be Section 2 firearms held and sold under shotgun certificates.
The shotgun certificate process is generally simpler than the FAC process. You do not need to demonstrate a specific reason for wanting a shotgun beyond a general interest in shooting, though you must satisfy the police that you can store it securely and that there is no reason why you should not be permitted to possess one. There is no limit on the number of shotguns you can hold on an SGC, though you must notify the police when you acquire or dispose of one.
When does a shotgun become Section 1?
This is one of the most commonly misunderstood areas of UK firearms law, and getting it wrong can have serious consequences. A shotgun becomes a Section 1 firearm if it has a magazine capacity of more than two cartridges. This is the critical distinction that trips people up.
A semi-automatic shotgun with a tubular magazine that can hold three or more cartridges is a Section 1 firearm and must be held on a FAC, not an SGC. Many semi-automatic shotguns are sold in the UK with magazine restrictors fitted to limit capacity to two rounds, bringing them within the Section 2 definition. Remove that restrictor, and the gun immediately becomes a Section 1 firearm. Possessing it on a shotgun certificate alone at that point would be a criminal offence.
The same principle applies to pump-action shotguns. A pump-action with a two-round magazine restriction is Section 2. Without the restriction, it is Section 1. Some shooters deliberately choose to hold semi-automatic or pump-action shotguns on their FAC with unrestricted magazines for disciplines like practical shotgun or for professional pest control where a higher capacity is genuinely useful.
Shotguns with detachable box magazines, such as certain models designed for practical shotgun competition, are always Section 1 regardless of the magazine capacity actually fitted, because the detachable magazine could theoretically be replaced with a larger one.
Air weapons: Where do they fit?
Air weapons occupy a unique position in UK firearms law. In England and Wales, air rifles producing less than 12ft/lb of muzzle energy and air pistols producing less than 6ft/lb are exempt from the certificate requirements of both Section 1 and Section 2. You can buy, own, and use them without any form of firearms certificate, provided you are aged 18 or over.
Air weapons that exceed these energy thresholds are classified as Section 1 firearms. These FAC-rated air rifles are popular among serious hunters and long-range target shooters who need the additional power for effective pest control at longer distances. They must be held on a firearm certificate with the same conditions and storage requirements as any other Section 1 firearm.
Scotland has taken a different approach since 2015. All air weapons in Scotland, regardless of power, require an air weapon certificate issued by Police Scotland. This is a separate certificate from the FAC and SGC, with its own application process and conditions. If you are a Scottish resident or plan to use an air weapon in Scotland, you must hold this certificate.
For a more detailed look at getting started with air rifles, see our beginner's guide to air rifle shooting.
The certificate application process
Firearm Certificate (FAC)
Applying for a firearm certificate requires you to demonstrate to your local police force that you have a good reason for possessing each firearm or type of firearm you wish to hold. Good reasons include deer stalking (with evidence of land permissions or stalking arrangements), target shooting (with club membership), and vermin control (with landowner permissions). Simply wanting to own a rifle is not sufficient on its own.
The application involves completing a detailed form, providing photographs, nominating referees who can vouch for your character, and consenting to a background check. A firearms enquiry officer will visit your home to inspect your security arrangements and interview you. You will need a gun cabinet that meets the required standard, bolted to a solid wall in a location that is not immediately obvious to casual visitors. The cabinet must be of sufficient size for the firearms you intend to hold.
The FAC specifies each firearm you are authorised to possess, along with conditions about where you may use it and how much ammunition you may hold. Processing times vary enormously by police force area, as anyone who follows the NPCC licensing statistics will know.
Shotgun Certificate (SGC)
The shotgun certificate application is broadly similar but does not require you to demonstrate a specific reason for wanting a shotgun. The threshold is lower: the police must issue the certificate unless they have reason to believe you pose a danger to public safety or the peace, or that you are prohibited from possessing a firearm. In practice, you still need secure storage, referees, and a clean background check, but the burden of proof sits differently compared to the FAC process.
Many shooters hold both an FAC and an SGC, and it is common to apply for or renew both simultaneously. This is known as a co-terminous application and can simplify the process, as only one home visit and one set of checks is required.
Storage requirements
Secure storage is a legal requirement for all certificated firearms in the UK, and the police will inspect your arrangements before granting a certificate and may inspect them at any time thereafter.
Section 1 firearms must be stored in a locked steel cabinet of appropriate construction, securely fixed to the fabric of the building. Ammunition should be stored separately, either in a separate locked container or in a separate compartment within the gun cabinet. The cabinet should not be visible from outside the property or in an easily accessible location.
Section 2 shotguns must be stored securely so as to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, access by unauthorised persons. In practice, this means the same type of steel cabinet bolted to the wall, though the ammunition separation requirements are less prescriptive for shotgun cartridges. Your firearms enquiry officer will advise on specifics, and if you are installing a new cabinet, it is worth asking your local licensing department for guidance before you buy.
The variation process
Once you hold a certificate, adding or removing firearms involves a process called variation. For an FAC, you must apply to vary your certificate to add each new firearm or calibre, providing a good reason for the addition. This can be done by post or, increasingly, online. Some forces process variations quickly, while others treat them with the same deliberation as a full application, which can be frustrating.
For an SGC, variations are simpler. You must notify the police within seven days of acquiring or disposing of a shotgun, but you do not need prior permission to buy one. This is a notification process, not an application, and reflects the different legal standing of Section 2 firearms.
Common misconceptions
Several persistent misconceptions circulate within the shooting community and beyond. It is worth addressing the most common ones directly.
The first is that shotgun certificates are easy and FACs are hard. While the SGC process is somewhat simpler, neither is a rubber-stamp exercise. Both require secure storage, background checks, and a home visit. Treating either application casually is a mistake.
The second is that you can only own a certain number of guns on an SGC. There is no legal limit to the number of shotguns you can hold on a shotgun certificate. The police may ask questions if you have a large collection, but they cannot refuse to add a shotgun to your certificate simply because you already own several, provided the security arrangements are adequate.
The third is that air rifles are unregulated. While sub-12ft/lb air rifles do not require a certificate in England and Wales, their use is still governed by law. Using an air rifle irresponsibly, firing beyond your boundary, or carrying one in a public place without reasonable excuse are all offences.
The fourth is that you need a licence to buy ammunition. You do not need a separate licence, but you do need to show your certificate to purchase ammunition. Section 1 ammunition can only be purchased by the holder of an FAC authorised for that calibre, and the quantity purchased must not exceed the limit on your certificate. Shotgun cartridges can be purchased by the holder of either an SGC or an FAC.
Practical examples
To bring this together, here are some practical examples of how the Section 1 and Section 2 classifications apply to common UK firearms.
A Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon over-and-under with 30-inch barrels is a Section 2 shotgun held on an SGC. A Browning B725 Sporter with 32-inch barrels is also Section 2 on an SGC. A Benelli semi-automatic shotgun with a two-round magazine restrictor is Section 2. The same Benelli with the restrictor removed, giving it a three-round magazine capacity, becomes Section 1 and requires an FAC.
A Tikka T3x in .308 Winchester is a Section 1 rifle on an FAC. A Ruger 10/22 in .22LR is Section 1 on an FAC. A BSA R-10 PCP air rifle at 11.5ft/lb is not certificated in England and Wales. The same rifle tuned to 30ft/lb becomes Section 1 and requires an FAC.
Understanding these distinctions is not academic. Possessing a firearm without the correct authority is a serious criminal offence that can result in imprisonment. If you are ever unsure about the classification of a firearm, contact your local firearms licensing department before acquiring it.
Must read:
