Quick Answer
Whether you need a firearms certificate to shoot rabbits in the UK depends entirely on what type of firearm you use. Air rifles under 12 ft/lb require no certificate. Shotguns need a shotgun certificate. Centrefire and rimfire rifles require a firearms certificate (FAC) with pest control listed as a permitted use.
Are Rabbits a Protected Species in the UK?
Rabbits have no legal protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. They're classed as a pest species, and the Pests Act 1954 places a legal duty on occupiers of agricultural land to control rabbit populations on their land.
There's no close season for rabbits, no bag limit, and no general licence required to shoot them. What matters is the firearm you use and whether you have the landowner's permission.
What Firearms Can You Use to Shoot Rabbits?
There are three main categories to understand:
Air Rifles (No Certificate Required)
Air rifles at or below 12 ft/lb muzzle energy can be owned and used without any certificate. This makes them popular for rabbit control at short range. At 12 ft/lb, an air rifle is effective to around 35-40 yards on rabbits, though most pest controllers keep shots to 25-30 yards for a clean kill.
You must be 18 or over to buy an air rifle. If you're under 18, you can use one under supervision from someone aged 21 or over on private land.
Shotguns (SGC Required)
A shotgun certificate covers all standard pump-action and semi-automatic shotguns holding three or fewer cartridges, as well as over/under and side-by-side doubles. Rabbits can be taken with a shotgun using No. 5 or No. 6 shot at close range, typically under 30 yards.
A shotgun is a versatile choice for rabbit control because it works well for walked-up shooting or ferreting, where rabbits bolt unpredictably. You don't need to specify pest control as a reason on an SGC application.
Rimfire and Centrefire Rifles (FAC Required)
If you want to shoot rabbits with a .22 rimfire or any centrefire rifle, you need a firearms certificate. When applying, you'll need to state a good reason for ownership - pest control on land you have access to is a valid and widely accepted reason.
Your certificate conditions will specify what land you may use the rifle on. Many certificate holders have an open certificate allowing use on any legal permission, while others have named land only. Always check your conditions before shooting on a new permission.
Do You Need a .22 Rimfire FAC for Rabbits?
Yes. The .22 Long Rifle is the most popular calibre for rabbit shooting in the UK. It's relatively quiet (especially with a sound moderator), cheap to shoot, and effective to around 70-80 yards with proper shot placement.
To own a .22 rimfire, you need an FAC. The application involves a medical declaration, a home security check (gun cabinet inspection), and referee statements. Most straightforward applications take 8-12 weeks, though some forces take longer.
If you plan to use a sound moderator - which most pest controllers do, for humane reasons and to avoid disturbing livestock and neighbours - this also needs to be listed on your certificate as a separate item.
Do You Need Land Permission to Shoot Rabbits?
Yes, always. Even with the correct certificate, you must have written or verbal permission from the landowner or occupier before shooting on any land. Shooting without permission is trespass at minimum, and could constitute poaching under the Night Poaching Act 1828 or Game Act 1831 in some circumstances.
A signed permission letter is strongly recommended. It should confirm your name, the land you may shoot on, the species you're authorised to control, and the dates it applies. This protects you if challenged by police or a third party.
Can You Shoot Rabbits at Night?
Using a shotgun to shoot rabbits at night is restricted under the Night Poaching Act 1828. Using a rifle or air rifle at night on land you have permission for is generally legal for pest control purposes, subject to your certificate conditions.
If you use a lamp, night vision, or thermal equipment, check your certificate conditions first. Some forces add specific conditions around artificial light or night vision for pest control. If your conditions are silent on the matter, most forces accept lamping and thermal for pest control on authorised land.
What Records Should You Keep for Rabbit Shooting?
If you're using a rimfire or centrefire rifle, you must keep an ammunition register showing purchases and expenditure. This is a legal requirement for all FAC holders and is subject to inspection.
Beyond the legal minimum, keeping a simple shooting diary with dates, locations, quarry taken, and ammunition used is good practice. It demonstrates responsible ownership and is useful when your certificate comes up for renewal.
Key Takeaways
- Rabbits are not a protected species - no close season and no general licence required
- Air rifles under 12 ft/lb - no certificate needed
- Shotguns - SGC required
- Any rifle including .22 LR - FAC required with pest control as a stated reason
- Land permission is always required regardless of firearm type
- Sound moderators must be listed separately on your FAC
- Ammunition records are a legal requirement for all FAC firearms
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a firearms certificate to shoot rabbits with a .22 rifle?
Yes. Any .22 rimfire rifle requires a firearms certificate in the UK. You'll need to give pest control as your reason for ownership and demonstrate you have land available to use it on.
Can I shoot rabbits with an air rifle without a licence?
Air rifles at or below 12 ft/lb muzzle energy do not require a certificate. You still need landowner permission to shoot. If you're under 18, you'll need supervision from someone aged 21 or over on private land.
Is a sound moderator useful for rabbit pest control?
Very much so. A sound moderator reduces noise, minimises disturbance to other animals and neighbours, and makes pest control work more sustainable over time. It must be listed on your FAC as a separate item with its own condition.
Do I need a specific reason on my FAC for rabbit shooting?
Yes. UK law requires you to show good reason for each firearm on your certificate. Pest control on land you have access to is an accepted reason. You should have evidence of land permission available if asked during inspection or renewal.
Can you shoot rabbits at night in the UK?
Lamping or using thermal equipment for rabbit pest control with a rifle is generally permitted on authorised land. Check your certificate conditions, as some forces add specific conditions around night shooting or the use of artificial light.
What is the minimum age to own a firearm for pest control?
You must be 18 or over to apply for a firearms certificate. Air rifles can be used unsupervised from age 18, with supervised exceptions from age 14 on private land where the supervisor is 21 or over.
Do I need to declare my rabbit shooting land when applying for an FAC?
Yes, for a new application you should be able to demonstrate access to suitable land. Police may contact the landowner to verify permission. Some forces accept a letter of intended permission or club membership as sufficient when land is not yet formally secured.
What ammunition should I use for rabbit control with a .22?
Most pest controllers use standard velocity or subsonic .22 LR hollow point ammunition. Subsonic rounds work best with a sound moderator and are noticeably quieter. Hollow points expand on impact for a humane kill at typical pest control ranges out to around 70 yards.