Raygun,
You are misinformed.
Firearms law in the UK is indeed very tight, but does entitle bona-fide collectors and shooters to possess live guns.
All is revealed in the 1997 Firearms Act, particularly under its Section 7.
I hold a police issued (Home Office approved) Firearms certificate which enables me to hold certain live firearms at home under strict conditions. Those are:
- Made before 1919
- Of a calibre for which ammunition is considered not readily available
- Kept as part of an established collection
It is prohibited to fire these guns.
If you want more information, this link is useful:
http://police.homeoffice.gov.uk/publ...df?view=Binary
Go to Chapter 9 - Historic Handguns