Considering taking a job in the UK: firearms lawyer? (and more)

[carbon]

Hello. American here.

Been reading some of the posts around moving to the UK from the States and then (years later) back again. Not 100% sure I’ll be moving back, but want to cover those bases as well.

Frankly, my head is spinning.

Anybody have a recommendation for either a UK lawyer or one in the States that is intimately familiar with the process? It would also be helpful if this person could advise upon which prescription medications are allowed/dispensed in the UK as well. Don’t want to accept the job, move, and then be up the proverbial creek.

General topics for this lawyer:

• Bringing my guns over
• Taking them back (if I do indeed move back)
• Can I shoot pests? Seems like I need some written note from a farmer. Are there no public lands like prairie dog shooting in the states? (I know you don’t have pdogs, but you get the point)
• What about my suppressors I already own?
• I imagine a HK SP5 pistol with a folding brace is out of the question lol
• Taking guns on hunts in the US and elsewhere while living in the UK
• Does marriage to a UK gal change anything? An old girlfriend beckons as well. I need to check if dual citizenship is a thing for non-millionaires

I also wonder if there’s a firearm storage service in the States for pistols, AR15s, SP5’s and other non-UK friendly arms. Not sure if my relatives will take them (not enough room).

 

[maxtheflyinghorse]

I just moved to the states from the UK basically the opposite of what you did.
You cannot own a gun in the UK unless you have a firearms certificate for firearms and shotgun certificate for shotguns. To get them you have to be at least a permanent resident I think (unsure on that ) you have to have a letter from your GP in the UK. You must have reasons to own guns in the UK mainly target shooting / hunting. Going clay shooting is a good reason to own section 2 shotguns. That’s is any shotgun that has maximum capacity of 2+1. Anything more than that you need a fire arms certificate. Again with fire arms certificate you must be a home office approved shooting club member. That is a reason to apply for firearms certificate. But that will be just for target shooting you cannot hunt with them. So if you want hunting then you must have a land with permission from the owner and that land must be suitable for the caliber yoi applying for. Or paid stalking is another reason if you can’t find any land permissions.There is NO public land hunting in the UK.For both FAC and SGC you must have a proper gun safe attached to a concrete wall or floor. Once you apply for either or both with valid reason you have to wait a long time with most of the forces nowadays. An officer will come and interview you check your safety measures and your reasons. Then as I said you must get a form from your GP( doctor ) regarding your mental Health and stuff.
Your handguns are a no go. Remember self defence is not a valid reason to own any guns in the Uk. There is no 2nd amendment there.suppressors are called moderators in the UK and they must be applied just like ti apply for a rifle. Again you have to have reasons to own every caliber you asking for. marrying someone will not get you any special privileges. Bringing guns back to the US is pretty simple. I just took 10 guns with me. My best advice would be leave your guns in the states and once yoi settle in the UK apply for fac and sgc and buy guns there. And if you decide to move back you can bring them guns to the states with you when you move as your personal property. Get ATF form 6 approved. I’m sure there are other members who are here with more knowledge than me.
You can donate your guns in the US to me . God bless the second amendment. I moved here last year and bought 5 hand guns and an AR

 

[Selous]

Good information from max the flying horse. I would add that there are no semi- automatic centrefire rifles permitted which includes AR15s, AKs etc. Rimfire semi-automatic rifles are permitted. There is lots of good information in the Home Office Guide to Firearms Licensing Law that will give you a good idea of what is possible.

 

[finnbear270]

Don't move to Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire Police Freeze FAC/SGC applications

 

[Liveonce]

if you enjoy your shooting, owning pistols and AR rifles then don’t do it

This may help you decide.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/63e284a78fa8f50e89351509/Revised_Firearms_Licensing_Statutory_Guidance_Feb_2023.pdf

 

[Apthorpe]

A few points. You don't need a good reason or access to hunting land to own shotguns.
Who you're married to doesn't matter. Not sure from your phrasing if the ex was a possible extra, but bigamy is out here (it's not Utah, nor quite yet a Muslim state). Dual nationality is no problem, but also no benefit. Tax is a problem, and I wasn't paying attention but you should check whether you might get double-taxed on e.g. capital gains.
You can shoot pests without documentation but obviously with the permission of landowner. Taking your guns hunting in UK is no problem at all, but discretion is best.
Asking about medications....there is such a huge number of medications that it's hard to answer. Not necessarily more restrictive than in the US. The over the counter cough syrup I prefer is a Class A drug in the US, and I understand qualifies you for serious jail time. On the other hand, we may be more restrictive with synthetic opioids. Try this...

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/&ved=2ahUKEwiN7tvurcyJAxXyUkEAHa3JGVwQFnoECAgQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1S7odk_TEVu4O1VV8Z1URk

 

[mark2853118]

I think you should set your expectations of firearms ownership and freedom of usage in the UK quite low, as very different here. My son lives in Texas and it is like night and day.

I am happy to help with your medication queries in the UK and best to PM me.

 

[63]

- There is no public land in the UK as the concept exists in North America. There is public access land, government owned land, and various types of 'common land' but none are really comparable and none allow shooting/hunting without landowner permission. If you poke around the internet long enough you will find various people who think otherwise, especially on airgun type forums. They're wrong.

-HOWEVER, if you came here for a few years there are some pretty rich hunting opportunities in the UK. We don't have a tag system, and there are no 'bag limits' on deer, and the seasons are long (half the year 'bucks' and half the year 'does' for many species). The hunter:deer ratio is also significantly better than in the US! The nature of UK legislation, and the small size of the country, mean that our 'guided hunting' industry looks a bit different to the US version. Here you can buy a half day 'guided hunt' for the cost of taking your family to a mid range restaurant for dinner, and probably have an 80% chance of taking an animal, yet it is still ethical and fair chase (not a fenced hunt basically). There are also a full 6 species to shoot, including the Muntjac and Chinese Water Deer, which I don't think can be hunted anywhere else in the world, and Red Stag stalking in Scotland is something plenty of people pay a fortune to come and do from the US. We also have boar hunting available in some areas, and you have easy access to Europe for a variety of different hunting experiences.

I'd take the job on its own merits, and then if you do come here, I'd enjoy the sporting/shooting opportunities for what they are on their own terms. If you stayed for a couple of years and aiming to get a trophy from each of the 6 British species and maybe a UK boar, and a feral goat, would be a great challenge and if necessary you could do it with the guides firearms to save yourself a load of hassle on the licensing front.

 

[Stalker62]

• Bringing my guns over

Doable

• Taking them back (if I do indeed move back)

Doable

• Can I shoot pests? Seems like I need some written note from a farmer. Are there no public lands like prairie dog shooting in the states? (I know you don’t have pdogs, but you get the point)

Doable

• What about my suppressors I already own?

Doable

• I imagine a HK SP5 pistol with a folding brace is out of the question lol

Not doable

• Taking guns on hunts in the US and elsewhere while living in the UK

Doable

• Does marriage to a UK gal change anything? An old girlfriend beckons as well.

Insanity.

 

[Mungo]

Hello. American here.

Been reading some of the posts around moving to the UK from the States and then (years later) back again. Not 100% sure I’ll be moving back, but want to cover those bases as well.

Frankly, my head is spinning.

Anybody have a recommendation for either a UK lawyer or one in the States that is intimately familiar with the process? It would also be helpful if this person could advise upon which prescription medications are allowed/dispensed in the UK as well. Don’t want to accept the job, move, and then be up the proverbial creek.

General topics for this lawyer:

• Bringing my guns over
• Taking them back (if I do indeed move back)
• Can I shoot pests? Seems like I need some written note from a farmer. Are there no public lands like prairie dog shooting in the states? (I know you don’t have pdogs, but you get the point)
• What about my suppressors I already own?
• I imagine a HK SP5 pistol with a folding brace is out of the question lol
• Taking guns on hunts in the US and elsewhere while living in the UK
• Does marriage to a UK gal change anything? An old girlfriend beckons as well. I need to check if dual citizenship is a thing for non-millionaires

I also wonder if there’s a firearm storage service in the States for pistols, AR15s, SP5’s and other non-UK friendly arms. Not sure if my relatives will take them (not enough room).

Lots of good answers already. I can address the dual citizenship.

Yes - dual citizenship is very easy. I have mine by birth, but I have numerous colleagues who moved from the US, got jobs here, married a Brit, and got a UK passport. You do not lose your US passport.

There are quite complex tax implications though. In short, the you still need to file a US tax return, and if you’re not careful can end up paying tax twice (once here, once there). Plenty of accountants here can help with that, and because we pay more tax than you in most cases, once set up properly, you’ll be fine.

Guns: as hinted, it’s much more restrictive. I know of many people who have left theirs in the US for the duration, and just bought a small working set up here once they’ve got their FAC.

Hunting: no public land as you understand it. No tag systems. All hunting is controlled by the landowner. You have to get written permission from a specific landowner for each specific bit of land. They also set your bag limit - outside of protected species, there are no nationally set limits.

 

[artschool]

- There is no public land in the UK as the concept exists in North America. There is public access land, government owned land, and various types of 'common land' but none are really comparable and none allow shooting/hunting without landowner permission. If you poke around the internet long enough you will find various people who think otherwise, especially on airgun type forums. They're wrong.

-HOWEVER, if you came here for a few years there are some pretty rich hunting opportunities in the UK. We don't have a tag system, and there are no 'bag limits' on deer, and the seasons are long (half the year 'bucks' and half the year 'does' for many species). The hunter:deer ratio is also significantly better than in the US! The nature of UK legislation, and the small size of the country, mean that our 'guided hunting' industry looks a bit different to the US version. Here you can buy a half day 'guided hunt' for the cost of taking your family to a mid range restaurant for dinner, and probably have an 80% chance of taking an animal, yet it is still ethical and fair chase (not a fenced hunt basically). There are also a full 6 species to shoot, including the Muntjac and Chinese Water Deer, which I don't think can be hunted anywhere else in the world, and Red Stag stalking in Scotland is something plenty of people pay a fortune to come and do from the US. We also have boar hunting available in some areas, and you have easy access to Europe for a variety of different hunting experiences.

I'd take the job on its own merits, and then if you do come here, I'd enjoy the sporting/shooting opportunities for what they are on their own terms. If you stayed for a couple of years and aiming to get a trophy from each of the 6 British species and maybe a UK boar, and a feral goat, would be a great challenge and if necessary you could do it with the guides firearms to save yourself a load of hassle on the licensing front.

i think this is the way you should look at it. especially the european boar hunting.

 

[RJD]

Hello. American here.

Been reading some of the posts around moving to the UK from the States and then (years later) back again. Not 100% sure I’ll be moving back, but want to cover those bases as well.

Frankly, my head is spinning.

Anybody have a recommendation for either a UK lawyer or one in the States that is intimately familiar with the process? It would also be helpful if this person could advise upon which prescription medications are allowed/dispensed in the UK as well. Don’t want to accept the job, move, and then be up the proverbial creek.

General topics for this lawyer:

• Bringing my guns over
• Taking them back (if I do indeed move back)
• Can I shoot pests? Seems like I need some written note from a farmer. Are there no public lands like prairie dog shooting in the states? (I know you don’t have pdogs, but you get the point)
• What about my suppressors I already own?
• I imagine a HK SP5 pistol with a folding brace is out of the question lol
• Taking guns on hunts in the US and elsewhere while living in the UK
• Does marriage to a UK gal change anything? An old girlfriend beckons as well. I need to check if dual citizenship is a thing for non-millionaires

I also wonder if there’s a firearm storage service in the States for pistols, AR15s, SP5’s and other non-UK friendly arms. Not sure if my relatives will take them (not enough room).

Don’t do it! Don’t move to the UK, it’s screwed!

Unless of course you are radicalized Islamic terrorist 35 year old ‘child’ arriving by inflatable boat with no paperwork then you get a free house, electric bike, mobile, food, utilities and +/-$1.5K usd booze/drug money, you don’t need to work to top that up as you can just steal, sell drugs and money launder with impunity and if you can’t understand your legal right you get a free interpreter! Feel free to rape children whilst you are here too and if you think you might get caught just dress up in full female Islamic clothing and you will be completely anonymous.

 

[gixer1]

There is public land to shoot on if you like wildfowling…it’s usually on the foreshore but getting more and more restricted.

Taking guns either way is a complete pain and I wouldn’t recommend it - you’d be easier buying guns in both locations.

 

[billgatese30]

Don’t do it! Don’t move to the UK, it’s screwed!

Unless of course you are radicalized Islamic terrorist 35 year old ‘child’ arriving by inflatable boat with no paperwork then you get a free house, electric bike, mobile, food, utilities and +/-$1.5K usd booze/drug money, you don’t need to work to top that up as you can just steal, sell drugs and money launder with impunity and if you can’t understand your legal right you get a free interpreter! Feel free to rape children whilst you are here too and if you think you might get caught just dress up in full female Islamic clothing and you will be completely anonymous.

Don't get any splinters in your arse sitting on that fence, say what you really mean

 

[bowji john]

You might care to purchase and read the relevant parts of this

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0854902732/ref=pe_27063361_485629781_TE_item

 

[Tazz]

Hello. American here.

Been reading some of the posts around moving to the UK from the States and then (years later) back again. Not 100% sure I’ll be moving back, but want to cover those bases as well.

Frankly, my head is spinning.

Anybody have a recommendation for either a UK lawyer or one in the States that is intimately familiar with the process? It would also be helpful if this person could advise upon which prescription medications are allowed/dispensed in the UK as well. Don’t want to accept the job, move, and then be up the proverbial creek.

General topics for this lawyer:

• Bringing my guns over
• Taking them back (if I do indeed move back)
• Can I shoot pests? Seems like I need some written note from a farmer. Are there no public lands like prairie dog shooting in the states? (I know you don’t have pdogs, but you get the point)
• What about my suppressors I already own?
• I imagine a HK SP5 pistol with a folding brace is out of the question lol
• Taking guns on hunts in the US and elsewhere while living in the UK
• Does marriage to a UK gal change anything? An old girlfriend beckons as well. I need to check if dual citizenship is a thing for non-millionaires

I also wonder if there’s a firearm storage service in the States for pistols, AR15s, SP5’s and other non-UK friendly arms. Not sure if my relatives will take them (not enough room).

Trump is not even President yet and already people are leaving

 

[SunnyDays]

Hello. American here.

Been reading some of the posts around moving to the UK from the States and then (years later) back again. Not 100% sure I’ll be moving back, but want to cover those bases as well.

Frankly, my head is spinning.

Anybody have a recommendation for either a UK lawyer or one in the States that is intimately familiar with the process? It would also be helpful if this person could advise upon which prescription medications are allowed/dispensed in the UK as well. Don’t want to accept the job, move, and then be up the proverbial creek.

General topics for this lawyer:

• Bringing my guns over
• Taking them back (if I do indeed move back)
• Can I shoot pests? Seems like I need some written note from a farmer. Are there no public lands like prairie dog shooting in the states? (I know you don’t have pdogs, but you get the point)
• What about my suppressors I already own?
• I imagine a HK SP5 pistol with a folding brace is out of the question lol
• Taking guns on hunts in the US and elsewhere while living in the UK
• Does marriage to a UK gal change anything? An old girlfriend beckons as well. I need to check if dual citizenship is a thing for non-millionaires

I also wonder if there’s a firearm storage service in the States for pistols, AR15s, SP5’s and other non-UK friendly arms. Not sure if my relatives will take them (not enough room).

If you are serious about moving to the UK, might I suggest you consider joining BASC (www.basc.org.uk)

They have a dedicated Firearms team, who have direct relationships with every Police Firearms Licencing dept. They will also give you realistic, no nonsense advice on what information you will need to present, what guns you can and cannot have, local clubs, stalking opportunities, physical firearms security, and a host of other information (and £10m of public liability insurance, which is vital if you are hunting).

Other organisations are available, but BASC is arguably the leading, the best, and the ONLY one with a dedicated national firearms team ( who work regionally, so sit on the Police Independent Advisory Group panels, and have the Firearms Licencing Manager in speed dial!!!!!)

 

[Liveonce]

This may cause you some pain.

2.6 Where the applicant is a foreign national, a background check (criminal records check or equivalent) should also be completed in the applicant’s home country. The applicant should be required to provide a background check (such as a police certificate or equivalent) from their country of nationality and any other country where they have lived. This will be at the applicant’s expense, including an official translation into English.

If an applicant does not have a GP in the UK, they will not be able to fulfil the criteria to be issued with a firearm or shotgun certificate.

 

[SunnyDays]

Not strictly accurate.
The medical proforma must be signed by a General Medical Council registered Doctor. This can therefore be done via a third party such as ShootCert, provided they are given FULL LIFETIME medical records.
The Police certificate can be obtained via your friendly local FYI office!

Again BASC will provide assistance in dealing with the relevant Firearms Dept, and in getting the medical proforma.

Which part of the UK might you move to?
Some counties, such as Dorset, Gwent, and Gloucestershire have enormous problems, whilst others are relatively easy.

 

[63]

This may cause you some pain.

2.6 Where the applicant is a foreign national, a background check (criminal records check or equivalent) should also be completed in the applicant’s home country. The applicant should be required to provide a background check (such as a police certificate or equivalent) from their country of nationality and any other country where they have lived. This will be at the applicant’s expense, including an official translation into English.

If an applicant does not have a GP in the UK, they will not be able to fulfil the criteria to be issued with a firearm or shotgun certificate.

I have some experience with these certs - if you need a criminal record check (e.g. for working in a school, or certain jobs like the financial sector) then they're required, and most Police forces in most countries do them - they're pretty standard, and some countries require them for visa applications etc. God knows how it works in the US with their patchwork of overlapping law enforcement agencies, but I'd be surprised if State Police couldn't do it. (Sheriffs departments in tiny places maybe not so much though)

I know from personal experience that in Turkey and Cyprus you go to the police to ask for your certificate and they give you a blank stamped version certificate to put your name at the top of though. Used to cost about 50 euros.