The law surrounding the ownership and use of guns in England is complex and fast-moving. This has largely been as a result of relatively recent changes in the laws governing gun use ownership, airgun law and, with limited exceptions, the banning of hand guns. These changes are working their way through the courts, with case law developing the way that the courts deal with such matters.

Equally, other areas of legal practice can be involved when firearms issues arise. Property law, landlord and tenant procedures, planning aspects, and game laws all need to be borne in mind. It makes sense and saves time and money to instruct a specialist solicitor.

Types of advice

Wards offer a specialist service advising shooters, gun clubs, registered firearms dealers, and game shoot owners/syndicates on a range of issues surrounding shooting, including:

• Firearms licensing and ownership
• Shotgun and Firearms Certificate Appeals to the Crown Court
• Negotiations with the police about Revocations and Refusals
• Advising shooting clubs and shoot proprietors
• The grant of shooting and stalking licences
• Rights of way and shoot trespass cases
• Personal injury matters (frequently on a no-win, no-fee basis)
• Insurance disputes (e.g. shoot interruption and vehicle claims)
• Leases and licences for land used for shooting (e.g. rifle ranges and game shoots).