Which weapons are prohibited for civilian use?

• A. Fully automatic firearms and most handguns
• B. Semi-automatic rifles
• C. Air weapons
• D. Shotguns

Answer: (A)

In the UK, civilian firearm ownership is tightly regulated and some categories are banned outright. Fully automatic firearms cannot be owned or used by civilians at all, because they fire multiple rounds with a single pull of the trigger. Most handguns were banned after the Dunblane era, so they are effectively prohibited for general civilian use. By contrast, air weapons are not firearms and can be owned under specific limits, and shotguns are legal but require a shotgun certificate. Semi-automatic rifles exist but are not universally prohibited; they require appropriate licensing and are restricted in many cases. So the best answer reflects that firearms with automatic fire and most handguns are prohibited for civilian use.