Careful of stiring up this hornet's nest again. The British system actually works well because no-one has to have their gun proofed to be able to use it; that is a matter for the individual. It just becomes an offence to sell, or offer for sale, a gun that isn't so proofed. It protects the purchaser and anyone can go to the proof house to have a gun tested. In fact 'a private proof service' that you advocate. It has meant that I have been able to resurrect guns that could have become scrap and got them back into the field again and also brings peace of mind. It works here and I wouldn't want it the other way. Here it is regulated by the Gun Trade and not the Government. Lagopus.....