Shooting – rights of way and access (Scotland)
Explaining the legalities around shooting and rights of way in Scotland, including accessing shooting land and advice for landowners.
Get information on the legal shooting season for mammals and birds in the UK.
Learn about our current conservation projects and how you can get involved.
Comprehensive information and advice from our specialist firearms team.
Everything you need to know about shotgun, rifle and airgun ammunition.
Find our up-to-date information, advice and links to government resources.
Everything you need to know on firearms law and licensing.
All the latest news and advice on general licences and how they affect you.
Firearms Young people Young people and firearms
Section 1 firearms – including rifles, muzzle-loading pistols/handguns and certain types of shotguns
Incorporating amendments from the Policing and Crime Act 2017
No one under the age of 14 may use a Section 1 firearm, except for target shooting as a member of a Home Office approved rifle club, or at a shooting gallery where no rifles larger than .23 inch calibre are used (eg. at fairs).
At the age of 14 a person may hold a firearm certificate and may then be given firearms and ammunition within the conditions on the certificate.
The law does not set a minimum age at which the holder of a firearm certificate may shoot without adult supervision. That is left to the discretion of the parent or guardian.
On reaching the age of 18, the holder of a firearm certificate may hire or purchase firearms and ammunition in accordance with the conditions on that certificate.
Section 11A of the Firearms Act 1968 now outlines the new rifle lending provisions.
For full details on how to comply with the law, read more about borrowing rifles.
Got a question? Email us on firearms@basc.org.uk or call 01244 573 010.
© BASC June 2023
Explaining the legalities around shooting and rights of way in Scotland, including accessing shooting land and advice for landowners.
An overview of different calibres and ammunition commonly used in the UK, alongside a summary of their appropriateness for different quarry species.
Many parts of the UK are covered by protected sites and permission is likely to be required in order to shoot or manage the land for shooting and conservation.
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© 2023 British Association for Shooting and Conservation. Registered Office: Marford Mill, Rossett, Wrexham, LL12 0HL – Registered Society No: 28488R. BASC is a trading name of the British Association for Shooting and Conservation Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under firm reference number 311937.
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