How strict are gun laws in the United Kingdom?
Highly restrictive / banned
Civilians cannot obtain handguns.
The United Kingdom is one of 51 countries classified “Highly restrictive / banned” for civilian gun ownership — 25% of the 202 with data. (Also searched as firearm laws.)
Source
- Last checked
- 17 September 2026
- How it was classified
- Read directly from the source’s own table, without interpretation.
Nearby countries
- Ireland
- Restrictive Handguns are limited to low-caliber types and personal protection is rarely granted, indicating a restrictive regime.
- Netherlands
- Restrictive The Netherlands does not accept personal protection as a reason for firearm ownership, limiting licenses to hunting and target shooting.
- Belgium
- Licensed / moderate Handguns can be licensed for sport, hunting or collecting, but personal protection alone is not a sufficient reason.
- Luxembourg
- Licensed / moderate Handguns can be licensed for sport, hunting or collecting, but personal protection alone is not a sufficient reason.
- Denmark
- Licensed / moderate Handguns can be licensed for sport, hunting or collecting, but personal protection alone is not a sufficient reason.
- France
- Licensed / moderate Handguns can be licensed for sport, hunting or collecting, but personal protection alone is not a sufficient reason.
Other laws in United Kingdom
- Death Penalty
- Fully abolished
- Military Conscription
- No conscription
- Jury Trials
- Jury trials used
Every law in the United Kingdom → · How strict are gun laws around the world? →
A visual reference compiled from Wikipedia’s law-by-country articles, not legal advice. Laws change and summaries simplify — check a primary source before relying on anything here.