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Hi guys and girls.

Right this is *the* can o' worms question. Has anyone on here got Section 7 handguns? I only ask because my club has only just been given Section 7 status - well, in the last 6 months anyhow. I think that makes us the 7th in the country to have it. ?

Anyway, I've been doing some research into it, and it's all VERY daunting. You need an interview, you HAVE to have a collection, and prove you're a collector etc...

So my question... is getting a S7 worth it just to pop off with a pistol once a month, or should I stick to me cap 'n' balls?

What are your experiences, stories, troubles, or lack of etc?

Regards
T

I have section 7.3. To be honest I did it for spite after the ban as it was a way of "keeping" my Webleys. I don't shoot it that often and it is not the same as the pistol days but I will hold on to it as its something we have however flawed and its a use it or loose it situation.

If I was to go through it again then I would have done section 7.1. I didn't have to go through an interview though. You don't need to have a collection you just need to show that you are intending to collect because how can you collect without section 7?

The Act...

7.- (1) The authority of the Secretary of State is not required by virtue of
subsection (1)(aba) of section 5 of the 1968 Act for a person to have
in his possession, or to purchase or acquire, or to sell or transfer, a
firearm which-
(a) was manufactured before 1st January 1919; and
(b) is of description specified under subsection (2) below,
if he is authorised by a firearm certificate to have the firearm in his
possession, or to purchase or acquire it, subject to a condition that
he does so only for the purpose of its being kept or exhibited as part
of a collection.

(2) The Secretary of State may order made by statutory instrument
specify a description of firearm for the purposes of subsection (1)
above if it appears to him that-
(a) firearms of that description were manufactured before 1st
January 1919; and
(b) ammunition for firearms of that type is not readily
available.

(3) The authority of the Secretary of State is not required by virtue of
subsection (1)(aba) of section 5 of the 1968 Act for a person to have
in his possession, or to purchase or acquire, or to sell or transfer, a
firearm which-
(a) is or particular rarity, aesthetic quality or technical
interest, or
(b) is of historical importance,
if he is authorised by a firearm certificate to have the firearm in his
possession subject to a condition requiring it to be kept and used
only at a place designated for the purpose of this subsection by the
Secretary of State.

(4) This section has effect without prejudice to section 58(2) of the
1968 Act (antique firearms).

HTH

If you want to shoot it it has to be a 7.3 authorisation and kept at a designated 7.3 storage/range facility as Adam said.
You dont need a interview you dont have to have a collection and you dont need to prove you are a collector every collection starts with a single aquisition how can you even start a collection until you are granted a 7.1 or 7.3 authorisation.
If you want to collect. keep them at home but not shoot them then you need 7.1 authorisation there is a difference.

Alpha1 wrote:If you want to shoot it it has to be a 7.3 authorisation and kept at a designated 7.3 storage/range facility as Adam said.
You dont need a interview you dont have to have a collection and you dont need to prove you are a collector every collection starts with a single aquisition how can you even start a collection until you are granted a 7.1 or 7.3 authorisation.
If you want to collect. keep them at home but not shoot them then you need 7.1 authorisation there is a difference.

That's interesting. A friend of mine only recently had an interview for a S7 licence. Maybe it depends where you are. So, would you be able to get away with it if you only have one handgun?

Had a interview with who.
Well yes you can have only one gun as long as it meets the guide lines.

Alpha1 wrote:Had a interview with who.
Well yes you can have only one gun as long as it meets the guide lines.

The police - for a S7 application

You can own more than one handgun as long as they fit the criteria. I wasn't interviewed for my 7-3 authorisation some years back.
In retrospect i would have probably gone for the 7-1 authorisation.

Joe