In a nutshell:
In the UK you have the right to own shotguns (Section 2 weapons). The police MUST grant you a licence for shotgun ownership unless they can prove that it is against the public interest for you to have one. You do have to provide adequate security and your guns must be securely locked away when you are not using them.
To own a rifle, Section 1 weapon) you need to show the police why you need it. For example, ask for a .22 rimfire to shoot deer and the answer will be 'NO', as it will be if you ask for a .470 NE to shoot rabbits with.
Let's say you have land with deer and ask for a.243 with which to shoot them - they will give you a licence unless they have a good reason not to.
Under Section 58 of the Firearms act 1967, you can own a whole range of 'obsolete' pistols and rifles - designated as such by mechanism (e.g pinfire) or calibre ( e.g .44 Russian). As long as you just hang these on the wall and don't try to use them, you don't need a licence. For a full list of Obsolete calibres, see my website INFORMATION page.
Certain weapons are 'Prohibited' and cannot be owned without special permission under Section 5 of the Firearms act (For example a shotgun with barrel less than 24 1/4")
