Whilst I understand and agree with your point, its a bit annoying to be told on here all the time that the British are subjects and don’t have guns. Both wrong.
Scotsman,
Thank you for correctly pointing out that the people of Great Britain are citizens and not subjects.
The case is not as clear cut regarding possession of firearms by the citizens of Great Britain.
According to United Kingdom 2011 census, the population of Great Britain was 63,181,175, of whom 51,808,563 were over the age of 14.
According to the Guide on Firearms Licensing Law, published in October 2014, there are 620,000 shotgun licenses in the United Kingdom (1.2% of the adult population) and 170,000 firearms liacenses (0.3% of the adult population.)
From the same document:
Gun ownership is a privilege, not a right.
“Small firearms,” defined as those having a barrel shorter than 30cm or a total length of less than 60 cm are prohibited. Thus, while handguns are not explicitly banned; effectively, it is illegal to possess or shoot one, except for very narrow, specialized, applications such as in a slaughterhouse or a starter’s pistol for a track meet.
Semi-automatic or pump action rifles or shotguns, other than .22 cal rimfire, are prohibited.
Expanding ammunition (hollow point) is prohibited except for deer hunting, vermin extermination, or humane killing of animals.
Depending upon purpose and use, various “guidelines” for possession of ammunition are provided, varying from 250 to 1000 rounds. in any case, bulk purchase of ammunition for the purpose of economy is not acceptable as good reason for possession.
Applications for the grant of a firearm certificate for the applicant’s or another’s protection, or that of premises, should be refused on the grounds that firearms are not an acceptable means of protection in Great Britain.
Scotsman, you are a better man than I am for being able to live under and lawfully comply with that array of firearms laws and regulations.
On my trip to the range this week, I will salute you with a few rounds from each of my weapons that would be illegal in the United Kingdom. Hint: It will be more than a 21-gun salute.