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Firearms licensing: shotguns
What is a Shotgun?
A shotgun is a smooth bore gun (not being an air-weapon) which:
- Has a barrel not less than 60.96 cm (24 inches) in length and does not have any barrel with a bore that exceeds 5.08 cm (2 inches), in diameter
and - Either has no magazine, or a non detachable magazine incapable of holding more than two cartridges
and - Is not a revolver gun
Other smooth bore guns may require a firearms certificate or even be prohibited weapons.
There are weapons other than conventional shotguns which also require a shotgun certificate, e.g. smooth bore muskets used for re-enactments.
Genuine antique shotguns, with flintlock, matchlock and percussion cap firing mechanisms, which are not kept to be fired, will not normally require to be certificated.
If in doubt please contact your Firearms Licensing Department.