Bunnahabnain - about the UK you stated :-

'Rifles (single shot): Hold shotgun license for some years, demonstrate your competence with and need for a rifle'.

I have never known this to be true - I know many hundreds of Firearm Certificate owners who have never owned a shotgun. Most shotgun owners I know have never owned a Firearm. Also, there has NEVER been any requirement to show compentence with a firearm - only need to prove good cause (as in target shooting, vermin control etc) and opportunity (as in member of target shooting club, permission of land owner for vermin shooting etc.).

'Rifles (semi auto or above): Firearms or Terrorism charges, depending on circumstances.'

Semi-Auto rifles in .22 calibre are legal - only 'full-bore' & centre-fire semi-autos are banned. All fully automatic firearms have been banned for decades. Same rules as above applies.

There is much mis-reporting of the UK firearms laws & when the police carry out their routine checks, the attending officer usually is not fully up to date with legislation.

Since handguns were banned, handgun crime has risen !!!!

(sorry, dont know how to do italics etc in mudcat. Can turn them on but what is the command to turn 'em off)?