<P> The legislation is interpreted in different ways by different police authorities . For example, some authorities allow clubs to possess long - barrelled pistols for members to use, and allow members who own them to allow other members to use them . Other authorities place the condition that only the owner may fire them; it is considered an offence for anyone else to even touch the firearm . This effectively requires members each to own their own pistol . In 2002 the Home Office issued firearms law guidance to the police, a 212 - page long document . A revised version was published in October 2013 . In 2012 the British Shooting Sports Council believed that the law needed to be consolidated, but did not call for a review . </P> <P> UK law defines a "rifle" as a rifled firearm with a barrel longer than 30 cm (12 in), and a total length longer than 60 cm (24 in) that does not fall under the classification of long - barrelled revolver or pistol . Single - shot, bolt - action, Martini - action, lever - action (also called under - lever action) and revolver rifles and carbines are permitted, with certificate, in any calibre . Self - loading (also known as semi-automatic) or pump - action rifles are only permitted in . 22 rimfire calibre . </P> <P> The 1997 law did not ban pistols as such and was drafted in terms of small firearms . British law defines a "pistol" as a firearm with a barrel shorter than 30 cm (12 in) or a total length of less than 60 cm (24 in) (this definition encompasses revolvers, revolving pistols). Only muzzle - loading pistols--including muzzle - loading revolvers--are permitted; in practice all such firearms use black powder--a Class 1 explosive--as the propellant . Small quantities of muzzle - loading pistols and revolvers in various calibres, which comply with the regulations, are manufactured . All other pistols are prohibited in Great Britain, with some exceptions such as pistols used for the humane dispatch of injured animals (such as deer) and some historical firearms . </P> <P> Specific models of blank - firing starting pistol that are "readily convertible" to fire live ammunition can also be banned . The Bruni Olympic . 380 BBM blank - firing revolver was banned in 2010 on evidence that it was being illegally converted . </P>

When were handguns made illegal in the uk