Gun Control, law concerning limits on the possession and use of firearms. All countries have restrictions on some firearms, which vary according to the history of the nation and its circumstances: in the United States, for example, its constitution provides for the right to bear arms. Though American legal scholars dispute the meaning of the constitutional provision, it has been used—together with a long history of private gun ownership—to resist strict firearms control in the United States. European countries have stricter laws. In the United Kingdom the police are generally unarmed and guns are seen to have little place in civilian life, except for some leisure purposes.

In the United Kingdom it is an offence to possess a firearm or a shotgun without a certificate from the police. Firearms certificates are granted if the applicant has good reason to have one, and presents no danger to public safety or the peace. People who have been sentenced to three years or more in prison, and those of intemperate habits or unsound mind, may not be granted certificates; a certificate may also be refused on any other reasonable grounds. Shotgun certificates are more easily obtainable, but the applicant still needs a good reason for having one: they are most usually used in shooting sports. An applicant refused a certificate may appeal to the Crown Court.

Certain particularly dangerous firearms are prohibited, such as most rifle weapons with automatic function or loading, all kinds of explosive or noxious munitions, and disguised firearms. Authority to hold such weapons may be granted by a government minister, most commonly to those involved in theatre and cinema productions, for signalling flares on ships and aeroplanes, or to certified museum curators. Significant restrictions are placed on their movement and storage.

There are a number of weapons for which no certificate is required, such as starting pistols for athletics, miniature rifles on fairgrounds, and air weapons up to a certain power. In certain circumstances it is not an offence to use a shotgun lawfully held by somebody else, for example, when shooting on private property.

Other firearms offences that may be committed regardless of whether the offender holds a certificate or not include carrying a loaded shotgun or air weapon in a public place, and carrying a firearm together with ammunition, whether or not the firearm is actually loaded. Shortening the barrel of a shotgun is illegal: “sawn-off” shotguns are a favoured weapon of bank robbers. Dealing in firearms is only permitted by a licensed dealer, who must have

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Be sure to read the comments, you will find more information about firearms dealer license

I live in Hawai’i and have read many different things about gun laws here and am kind of confused of what they are as of now.
My main questions are:
1) Which parts of the gun law requires you to be at least 21?
2) Do ammunition purchases need to be registered as well?
3) What’re the differences between owning a shotgun and handgun?
4) Could someone please tell me the laws to abide in lamen’s terms? (not government article stuff) Thank you!

I have heard various answers from people in law enforcement but are there certification courses that a civilian can take that will allow them to legally own, operate, and/or carry firearms that fall under FFL levels 2&3 or is just having the tax stamp enough? For instance, I have a very small apartment and I would like to buy a short shotgun so that I can move freely around my home and be able to quickly present the shotgun if there is an intruder, however there are laws prohibiting me, as a civilian from owning a shotgun with a barrel that is less than 18" or one that is under a certain over-all length. Is there a class I could take that would allow me to own and use a firearm like this legally? I would also like to purchase a suppressor for my .45 because I am concerned that if I had to discharge my firearm in an emergency, self defense situation, in my home, that I could damage my hearing.

I have talked with retired police officers, military personnel, and gun store employees and received very mixed answers on this subject. I realize it probably depends a lot on where I live. I live in Virginia, a shall issue state so I would think, with the exception of maybe Florida or some Western states that are even more relaxed on gun control, if it is possible to obtain a license or certification to own something like this I would be able to here. I have, as I stated before, also heard that simply paying the tax stamp and going through a 2 or 3FFL dealer would be enough but I would like to make sure so I don’t create any trouble for myself. Thanks for any help.
I was asking more in generality tho. Most of the FFL 2&3 firearms I am interested in I wold like to have simply to take out to the range and have a good time with. The short shotgun and suppressor are two of the few I would pick as ideal self defense.

Unknown, I own both a .45 1911 and a 9mm Baby Desert Eagle, I practice often at the range but I have been present for an accidental discharge in tight quarters and it is very loud. Also, I live in a rough area and have had armed men at my doorstep on more than one occasion, fortunately the sound of racking the slide on my .45 has been enough of a deterrent to avoid an incident. I have confidence in my shot placement when I am awake but the shotgun takes less thinking if I were to wake up out of a dead sleep and need to defend myself, my loved ones and/or my home.

Eddie, I realize the laws about the length, but as I said I am in extremely cramped quarters so it would be advantageous for me to have a smaller framed firearm.
Also Unknown you said "not in Virginia". Did you mean that there are states that Do issue a permit or license for these kind of firearms? I was watching some behind the scenes features on a DVD and they said that the weapons master on the set is one of the only civilians in the country licensed to own, operate, and supervise the use of a Glock 18c, which is a fully automatic handgun. That statement is actually one of the major things that sparked my interest and led me to ask this question.

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Is there any state where you can go buy a gun(handgun,rifle,shotgun,etc..) and not have to go through any background checks, and never have it on file that you bought the firearm. I heard that you can go to gun shows in Montana, and you dont need identification or anything to buy a gun. Is that true.
I care, because once we get a democrat for president, all our guns are gone. Thats why you need to buy as many guns as you can without it being on record. Especially if obama wins, then only the black will have guns, all us law abiding white citizens will be killed. I guess I am the only one that noticed that.

SVD – Dragunov’s sniper rifle ( it is automatic with out a bolt) in california?
what about an Ak 74? or Saiga shotgun? what are the restrictions in California?
And lastly, how do i get the licence to buy a firearm? do I need different licences for deifferent guns?