gq.magazine.co.uk brings us news that it’s perfectly legal to purchase and own an AR-15 in the Land of Hope and Glory, complete with 30-round mags. Sure, the aspiring AR owner has to jump through more hoops than all the circus ponies in the history of the world, ever. And yes, the Old Bill may conduct a proctological exam. But it’s doable. In fact, here’s one Lanner Tactical built earlier: an LA-R15 SBR MOD-01 Raven Custom Rifle. Lanner Tactical told TTAG it’s one of 50 to 60 ARs they make per year. Lanner can’t export lower receivers into the U.S. without ATF permission; I’m contacting an importer to see what can be done. Watch this space.
I dont know if I would be willing to drop several grand on a gun that the government could decide to take from me on a whim. But maybe thats just me…
“But I am one of those too who rather than submit to the right of legislating for us assumed by the British parliament…would lend my hand to sink the whole island in the ocean.” – Thomas Jefferson
Hear, f***ing hear.
Aye, I’ll raise my glass to that
Just make sure Piers Morgan is back there first.
“Oglesby sells … single-action models (on which you have to pull the bolt back to empty the chamber and re-load) to British target shooters who have applied for a licence. Semi-automatic models are also legal in the UK but they fire .22 rimfire cartridges … ”
Does the above mean it’s single-shot AR-15’s for the Brits?
Yep, these are bolt-action rifles, but semi-automatic versions are available for export.
There’s also a mechanism where the bold is held back after each shot, but you can release the bold normally IIRC. Counts as a manual firearm.
Of course it’s legal in england. Fot those with the wealth and social standing to pass muster. Every body else are subjects and had better be content with their lot.
Pretty much, as I understand it you need LOTS of connections like Royal connections to get the required licence for an AR. Then you pretty much need to lock it up, almost throw away the key and hope you have time to get to you rifle if SHTF.
Not to mention I can’t imagine how expensive ammo is in the UK…
Ammunition probably isn’t much of a problem, considering that .223 is a relatively popular bolt-action cartridge in Europe.
Nothing to do with wealth or social standing. I’d rather have my AR than a TV
I wonder if Piers Morgan knows about this……
Those fellas sure do make some beautiful guns, I hope their business goes up and I WISH I could get my hand on one of those lowers.
Prove how waked out gun grabbers here are. In Canada and other nation you have to jump threw hoops but you can own modern sporting rifles.
seeing this makes me glad I have a troy alpha rail with 2” modular rail sections rather than 10” worth of quad rail boat anchor on the front of the gun
You have kids running around on Ritalin and their parents don’t even lock their guns up.
You know what? That guy can fsck off, and so can the author of the article. I stopped reading the article at that point, because not only was that statement inflammatory and insulting, it was entirely in keeping with the condescending tone leading up to that point.
It’s pretty strongly implied that if only we Americans were more responsible with our guns, and accepted a proper set of government-enforced controls and restrictions (such as ARs which require you to work the charging handle on each shot) we would be much happier and safer as a result.
I’m not the one living in a country with an assault and rape epidemic. I’m not the one living in a country where I have no right to remain silent when questioned by the authorities. And I’m sure as hell not the one living in a country where CCTV cameras operated by the state will outnumber citizens in the near future.
Hey @Alpha – off topic, but do you recall how we were posting a while back about how to implement non-FFL access to to NICS on a quasi-confidential basis? Well, I was talking to my FFL guy on the weekend, and it turns out that here in CT, where there is a state-run check system instead of the federal one, ordinary folks can call in and run a check too. My FFL guy was not versed in all of the details on how it works, since as an FFL the system works a little different for him, but he could say that you did not need to report how many items were changing hands. Not perfect but better than some of the alternatives, and at least you’re not forced to pay an FFL to complete an in-state private sale.
I know this to be true since I recently went through the process with a lady who was selling her late husbands collection of handguns. She called the state, gave them her husband’s pistol permit number and details, explained that he was deceased (which they apparently had on record) and that she was selling a pistol, gave them my permit details and they gave her the approval number. Quite simple, efficient and quick. She made a photo copy of the form and gave one to me, sent one (or two, I do not quite remember) to the state and kept a copy for herself. Frankly, no hassle at all and much easier than buying a S&W M&P pistol at Cabela’s which took me nearly two hours a couple of weeks ago.
Nice to know that at least a few states recognize the value in making the system available for private transfers without having to involve an FFL.
Uuuuhhh…. Actually the supremes recently decided your right to remain silent isn’t absolute.
One small step towards freedom for the British people.
If Piers finds out about his homeland now allowing this he may keel over….someone let him know.
For anyone who is interested, attached is the link to the application for prohibited weapons authority. It’s broken down to cover every weapon imaginable, and it’s a easy to fill form to be able to possess and/or carry any type of weapon in the U.K.
Unless you’re best friends with the royal family, don’t expect to get approval.
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/police/firearms/firearms2.pdf?view=Binary
Let’s make it clear: no amount of paper work will allow a UK subject to own an AR-15 as we know it. What they can own is a “straight-pull” model, which is effectively, a bolt-action rifle. This is no secret to anyone familiar with the UK shooting scene. A bolt-action AR-15 is not an AR-15 in my book.
For sale in the UK?!
Sure…For anybody with a 00(7)-number….
Wow… .22LR or bolt action! Sign me up… lol.
First off I want to say wonderful blog! I had a quick question in which I’d like to ask if you don’t mind. I was interested to know how you center yourself and clear your mind before writing. I have had a tough time clearing my mind in getting my ideas out. I truly do take pleasure in writing however it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes tend to be wasted just trying to figure out how to begin. Any ideas or tips? Cheers!|