Few people buy a car and drive off before learning how to drive. Apart from being illegal it would also be extremely dangerous! A series of driving lessons are followed by a successful driving test. Once you have your licence you can buy your car and drive it, hopefully safely.

Shooting should follow a similar route. First, book some lessons at a good shooting ground, learn how to shoot correctly and, most importantly, how to shoot safely. The type of shooting you intend to do will decide the type of gun you need, and here your coach will be a great help too. At the present time there is no pre-licence test, but this could change.

However, before you can purchase your first gun you must obtain a licence. This allows you to buy a gun and cartridges for it. Applying is simple enough and licensing guidance, good practice on firearms law, and forms for applying for approvals under the law may be found here: