The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

YES...

But there is no actual number of firearms stated in law as a maximum, it is individual forces applying their own rules. I know a few people with 30 plus.

BestDrugDoc wrote: ↑Sat Jun 07, 2025 3:52 pm So - does the number of "firearms" counted as held include shotguns?

It does. Or at least in my force area it does.

"But there is no actual number of firearms stated in law as a maximum, it is individual forces applying their own rules. I know a few people with 30 plus."

You are correct, there is no upper limit as to the number of firearms you can own, however the new legislation passed by Parliament in 2003 puts restrictions regarding the number held under certain security requirements. If you hold 12 or more than a Police Monitored Alarm is mandatory, less than 12 but more than two a self monitored intruder alarm is mandatory. If only two are held than no alarm is required. This all plus the standard security requirements regarding safe storage.
As I say this is now Legislative and not up to local police to interpret as they see fit.

And yes, shotguns are included.

"As I say this is now Legislative and not up to local police to interpret as they see fit."

Really? What constitutes a self-monitored intruder alarm?

Pete

I just googled this and it requires some form of smartphone, which I don't use....

Pete

Are you sure it was 2003? We've had a few renewals since then, with inspections, and it hasn't been mentioned....

Pete

SORRY....that should have read 2023.....my poor old addled brain letting me down again.

Regarding "self monitored" my FEO said that a standard intruder alarm was sufficient as long as the storage of firearms was to a high standard.

Ring cameras worth considering but again link to your phone.

Have local chap who has 80, yes 80 on his ticket. When he wished to expand his collection and ran into headwind, Home Office paid a visit and saw no reason for him not to continue the collection.

Difficulty is too many forces too many variable interpretations.

Martiniman...you are spot on. Way back about 45 years ago I had a massive argument with the Metropolitan police as they said that I had too many rifles and that they would enforce me to gat rid of some or they would take them away.....I had just 5 at the time...I said that i would take them to court as the Firearms Act gave no specific limits. They backed down. Then the Surrey police took over our area and I had no problems with them since....until now. I have reduced my collection from 32 to 16 over the last few months and hopefully acquired storage for some to bring the number held here to just 11 to meet the new requirements. This has been a difficult time for me as I just approaching 80 years of age and really could do without all this nonsense.