As you say Sgtsandman, very strictly regulated although like you guys, we do have a right to own firearms.
Some of our County Police Chiefs believe that gun ownership is a privilege in this Country and many use this argument to push for firearms to be taken out of everyone's hands but the law is very clear. Gun ownership is a right and it's up to the Police to show just cause why a person can't own firearms.
The process can be a bit long-winded though and for the majority it goes something like this:
1. Join a local shooting club – not always an easy task as in this day and age as clubs are reluctant to accept anyone unless they are already known to an existing club member. You can't just walk in off the street.
2. Serve a probationary period with the club – this is normally six months and gives the club officials time to assess you and your attitude to firearms (are you sensible & safe). The local police are also notified that you've joined.
3. After six months, if you've been sensible and showed up at the club on a regular basis to show your serious, you can apply to the police for a firearms certificate – they will then start to do extensive background checks to make sure you're not on any watch-lists, have medical issues or have served prison time.
4. After a period of time (it varies from County to County but anywhere from 6 weeks to 12 months), an enquiry Officer will pay you a visit to look at you & your neighbourhood, talk to you about your reasons for wanting firearms and your security measures for keeping them.
5. If everything is good, the application is approved and a certificate issued clearly stating what firearms you can purchase and a maximum amount of ammo you can possess at any one time.
That's it in a nutshell. There are other minor points and it may seem a long winded process, but it works.
Still doesn't stop politicians trying to ban everything in order to satisfy their egotistical wet dreams of power though.
Iain
