Vectis Shooting Log

Can You Borrow a Shotgun or Rifle in the UK? Legal Rules for Guests and New Shooters

FAC & Licensing 9 May 2026 By Ashley Marshall

A practical guide to when non-certificate holders can legally borrow a shotgun or rifle in the UK, including section 11A rules, supervision, and common mistakes.

Can You Borrow a Shotgun or Rifle in the UK? Legal Rules for Guests and New Shooters

Quick Answer

You can borrow a shotgun or rifle in the UK for use on private premises for quarry shooting or artificial targets, provided you are supervised by an authorised certificate holder. This arrangement is a specific legal exemption and does not permit a non-certificate holder to take the firearm away unsupervised.

## Quick Answer You can borrow a shotgun or rifle in the UK in limited circumstances, but the rules depend on where you are shooting, what type of gun it is, and who is supervising you. Under section 11A of the Firearms Act 1968, a non-certificate holder may borrow a rifle or shotgun on private premises for quarry shooting or artificial targets if the lender is authorised, the certificate conditions are followed, and the borrower remains in the presence of the lender or another authorised certificate holder. Borrowing is not a general loophole that lets anyone take a gun away for the day. The arrangement must fit a specific legal exemption, and once you step outside that exemption, you risk unlawful possession. ## What does UK law actually say about borrowing a shotgun or rifle? The main legal starting point is section 11A of the Firearms Act 1968. It allows a person without a certificate to borrow a rifle or shotgun on private premises if several conditions are met. In plain English, the exemption is narrow. The gun must be borrowed on private land, the purpose must be hunting animals, shooting game or vermin, or shooting artificial targets, and the borrower must stay in the presence of a suitably authorised adult certificate holder. For rifles, the borrower must be at least 17. For shotguns borrowed under section 11A, the law does not set the same minimum age in that provision, but other age and supervision rules still matter. Useful primary sources include the legislation itself and BASC's guidance on borrowing shotguns. Those are the best references if you want to check the exact wording before arranging a guest day. ## When can someone borrow a shotgun on private land? A shotgun can be borrowed on private land when the section 11A conditions are met. The lender must be 18 or over, must hold a certificate for that shotgun, and must either have the right to allow people onto the land for shooting or hold written authority from the person who does. That written authority point matters. BASC notes that after the Policing and Crime Act 2017, written permission is required where the lender is relying on authorisation from the occupier or person with shooting rights. Old assumptions about informal verbal permission are risky. The borrower also has to remain in the presence of the lender, or another authorised adult shotgun certificate holder who meets the statutory conditions. BASC describes this in practical terms as being in sight and earshot, which is a sensible way to think about supervision even though the exact phrase is not set out in the Act. ## When can someone borrow a rifle in the UK? A rifle can also be borrowed under section 11A, but the rules are tighter than for shotguns. The borrower must be aged 17 or over, and the borrowing must still happen on private premises for hunting, vermin control, or shooting at artificial targets. The lender must hold the relevant firearm certificate for that rifle. The borrower's use of the rifle must comply with the conditions attached to the lender's certificate, which may cover land, quarry, club use, ammunition, or other restrictions. This means a borrowed rifle cannot lawfully be used in a way the lender could not lawfully use it. If the lender's certificate only allows a particular rifle and calibre for named land or target shooting at an approved range, the borrower has to stay within those same boundaries. ## Can you borrow a gun at a clay shoot or approved club? Yes, sometimes, but the exemption may come from a different part of the law. BASC highlights that non-certificate holders may use a shotgun at a police-approved clay shoot under section 11(6) of the Firearms Act 1968. That matters because a formal clay ground or approved event does not operate in quite the same way as an informal day on private land. A section 11(6) approval is intended for shooting at artificial targets at a time and place approved by the chief officer of police. If you are borrowing a shotgun at a clay ground, ask the organiser which legal route applies. Do not assume every commercial clay venue or charity shoot automatically falls within the exemption unless the site and event arrangements clearly do. For rifles, separate club and range rules may apply. On an approved rifle club range, possession and use may be lawful under other exemptions and club structures, but you still need the club to be properly approved and the activity to be run under the relevant rules. ## Do you need written permission to lend a gun? Often, yes. Under section 11A, if the lender is not personally the person with the right to allow entry onto the premises for shooting, the lender must be authorised in writing by that person. That written authority is especially important on estates, farms, syndicate land, and organised shoot days where the certificate holder lending the gun is not the landowner or primary rights holder. BASC is explicit that written permission should be obtained before the shooting takes place. A sensible practical approach is to keep that written authority with your shooting documents, together with proof of land permission where relevant. It is far easier to show clear authority in advance than to try to explain vague arrangements after the event. ## Does the borrower have to stay supervised the whole time? Yes, in practice, the borrower must remain under the required form of supervision throughout the borrowing period. Section 11A says the borrower must be in the presence of the lender or another authorised adult certificate holder who fits the statutory test. That means the borrower cannot simply take the gun off alone to another part of the farm, woodland, or shoot ground. Once the borrower is no longer in the legally required presence of the authorised person, the exemption may stop applying. This is one of the biggest misunderstandings around borrowing. Many shooters use the word "borrow" as if it means temporary unsupervised possession. Under section 11A, it usually means supervised use on the premises, not taking the gun away as if it were your own. ## Can a borrower use ammunition as well? For rifles, section 11A specifically allows the borrower to purchase or acquire ammunition on the premises and possess it there during the borrowing period, but only if certain conditions are met. The ammunition must be for use with the borrowed rifle, the lender's firearm certificate must authorise at least that quantity, and the borrower's possession and use must comply with the certificate conditions. For shotguns, shotgun cartridges are treated differently in law from section 1 ammunition, but the wider rules around lawful possession, age, supervision, and safe handling still matter. BASC also reminds organisers and certificate holders that prohibited persons under section 21 must not be allowed to possess guns or ammunition. From a practical point of view, the safest approach is to let the supervising certificate holder control the ammunition supply for the session rather than treating it as a casual handover. ## What are the most common mistakes people make when borrowing guns? The most common mistake is assuming that friendly permission makes the arrangement lawful. It does not. The exemption only works when every legal condition is satisfied. Other frequent errors include: - letting the borrower move out of sight or earshot - using land where the lender does not have the right authority - treating a rifle like a shotgun and forgetting the borrower must be 17 or over - ignoring certificate conditions on land, quarry, or ammunition - assuming every clay shoot is automatically section 11(6) approved - failing to consider age restrictions and supervision for younger shooters These are exactly the kinds of details that matter if an incident happens, if police ask questions, or if a certificate renewal later examines your conduct and judgement. ## How should you record borrowed gun sessions in your shooting log? The law does not create a universal requirement for non-certificate holders to keep a formal borrowing log for every supervised session, but keeping a clear record is still good practice. It helps show that the day was lawful, organised, and responsibly managed. A useful entry in Vectis or your range notes would include: | Item | What to record | | --- | --- | | Date and time | When the borrowing took place | | Location | Estate, farm, clay ground, or range | | Firearm | Type, make, model, calibre or gauge | | Lender | Name and certificate status | | Authority | Land permission or event approval basis | | Purpose | Quarry, vermin, targets, or clay practice | | Supervision | Who remained present | | Ammunition | Quantity used, especially for rifles | That record can be useful later if you apply for your own certificate and want to show genuine experience, safe practice, and regular participation. ## What should certificate holders do before lending a gun? Certificate holders should carry out a short legal and practical check before the session starts. If anything is unclear, they should stop and sort it out first. Use this checklist: - confirm the legal exemption that applies - confirm the land or venue authority is in place - check whether written authorisation is needed - make sure the borrower is old enough for the firearm involved - make sure the firearm and ammunition will be used within certificate conditions - keep the borrower in your presence throughout the borrowing period - brief the borrower on safety, safe arcs, loading, and stoppages - keep control of transport and storage before and after use This is not about bureaucracy for its own sake. It is how you avoid a simple guest outing turning into unlawful possession. ## When should you stop and ask your licensing department or club? You should seek advice when the situation is anything other than straightforward supervised use. For example, ask before proceeding if the land permissions are complicated, if the gun owner is not the person with shooting rights, if younger shooters are involved, if you are dealing with rifles and ammunition, or if the venue claims to rely on a police approval you have not seen. A Home Office approved club, shooting ground, or BASC adviser may be able to point you to the correct legal route. Where a licensing issue could affect certificate compliance, your local firearms licensing department is the safest source. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Can a non-certificate holder borrow a shotgun in the UK? A non-certificate holder can borrow a shotgun in the UK if the arrangement fits a legal exemption such as section 11A on private premises or section 11(6) at a police-approved clay shoot. The borrower cannot simply take the shotgun away for unsupervised use unless another lawful authority applies. ### Can a non-certificate holder borrow a rifle in the UK? A non-certificate holder may borrow a rifle on private premises under section 11A if the borrower is at least 17, the lender is properly authorised, certificate conditions are followed, and the borrower stays in the presence of the lender or another authorised certificate holder. ### Does borrowed gun use have to be on private land? Under section 11A, yes, the borrowing must be on private premises. Separate exemptions may apply at police-approved clay shoots or approved rifle clubs, but those depend on the structure and approval of the event or club. ### Can the borrower take the shotgun or rifle home afterwards? Not under the normal section 11A borrowing exemption. That provision is about supervised possession and use on the premises, not taking the firearm away as though it had been transferred. ### Does the lender need written permission from the landowner? If the lender is not personally the person with the right to allow others onto the land for shooting, written authorisation is required under section 11A. Relying on informal verbal arrangements is a poor idea. ### How old do you have to be to borrow a rifle? For section 11A borrowing, the borrower must be at least 17 to borrow a rifle. Other age rules and club rules may still apply in specific settings. ### Can you borrow a shotgun at a clay pigeon shoot? You can if the shoot is operating lawfully under the relevant exemption, often section 11(6) for a police-approved clay shoot. It is sensible to ask the organiser what approval or exemption covers the event. ### Can a prohibited person borrow a shotgun or rifle? No. A person prohibited under section 21 of the Firearms Act 1968 must not possess firearms or ammunition, and BASC specifically warns organisers not to allow that situation to arise. ### Should you record a borrowed shooting session in Vectis? It is good practice to do so. A record of the date, place, firearm, supervision, and purpose can help demonstrate safe and lawful participation if questions arise later. ### What is the safest way to think about borrowing a gun in the UK? Treat it as a tightly controlled exemption, not casual lending. If you cannot clearly explain why the possession is lawful, who is supervising, and what authority applies, stop and check before shooting.

Related Knowledge Centre answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a non-certificate holder borrow a shotgun in the UK?

A non-certificate holder can borrow a shotgun in the UK if the arrangement fits a legal exemption such as section 11A on private premises or section 11(6) at a police-approved clay shoot. The borrower cannot simply take the shotgun away for unsupervised use unless another lawful authority applies.

Can a non-certificate holder borrow a rifle in the UK?

A non-certificate holder may borrow a rifle on private premises under section 11A if the borrower is at least 17, the lender is properly authorised, certificate conditions are followed, and the borrower stays in the presence of the lender or another authorised certificate holder.

Does borrowed gun use have to be on private land?

Under section 11A, yes, the borrowing must be on private premises. Separate exemptions may apply at police-approved clay shoots or approved rifle clubs, but those depend on the structure and approval of the event or club.

Can the borrower take the shotgun or rifle home afterwards?

Not under the normal section 11A borrowing exemption. That provision is about supervised possession and use on the premises, not taking the firearm away as though it had been transferred.

Does the lender need written permission from the landowner?

If the lender is not personally the person with the right to allow others onto the land for shooting, written authorisation is required under section 11A. Relying on informal verbal arrangements is a poor idea.

How old do you have to be to borrow a rifle?

For section 11A borrowing, the borrower must be at least 17 to borrow a rifle. Other age rules and club rules may still apply in specific settings.

Can you borrow a shotgun at a clay pigeon shoot?

You can if the shoot is operating lawfully under the relevant exemption, often section 11(6) for a police-approved clay shoot. It is sensible to ask the organiser what approval or exemption covers the event.

Can a prohibited person borrow a shotgun or rifle?

No. A person prohibited under section 21 of the Firearms Act 1968 must not possess firearms or ammunition, and BASC specifically warns organisers not to allow that situation to arise.

Should you record a borrowed shooting session in Vectis?

It is good practice to do so. A record of the date, place, firearm, supervision, and purpose can help demonstrate safe and lawful participation if questions arise later.

What is the safest way to think about borrowing a gun in the UK?

Treat it as a tightly controlled exemption, not casual lending. If you cannot clearly explain why the possession is lawful, who is supervising, and what authority applies, stop and check before shooting.

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