It's not a shotgun 'licence' ...

[Trapped]

It's not a shotgun 'licence', it a CERTIFICATE.

You have a driving licence to drive a car (not to own one).
You have a shotgun certificate to own a shotgun.

 

[eightlittlebits]

Correct, and yet it's a firearms licensing department. Not sure it functionally makes any difference.

You can drive a car if you have a driving licence, you can own a shotgun if you have a shotgun certificate.

 

[MartynB]

You are licensed to drive a car , you are licensed to own a firearm , the certificate is the equivalent of a vehicles V5 .

 

[westley]

Most of those involved in gun crime have neither

 

[Golf0k]

Agreed! but calling it a license is not bad!

 

[westley]

It's not a shotgun 'licence', it a CERTIFICATE.

You have a driving licence to drive a car (not to own one).
You have a shotgun certificate to own a shotgun.

Does it really matter ?
It is still relatively easy to lose it, Licence or Certificate !

 

[Genghis]

Everyone calls it a license and the document functions as a license would. Despite this, there’s always always some know-it-all (usually with a nasally voice) determined to push the ‘it’s ackshually a CERTIFICATE’ line.

I’m bored of it, I will continue to call it a license - as will everyone else that I know.

 

[PhilFedUp]

You are licensed to drive a car , you are licensed to own a firearm , the certificate is the equivalent of a vehicles V5 .

Well, sort of, but not exactly. The V5C refers to the car. So if you've got two cars, you've got 2 V5Cs, whereas if you have one of those shotgun documents, all your guns are on the one. But your point is well made.

 

[SBL]

The government don't seem to be so sure either. Below is cut straight from their website and it mentions certificate and licence.

You need a firearm or shotgun certificate issued by the police to possess, buy or acquire a firearm or shotgun, and buy ammunition

Apply for this licence​

Start now

 

[Martinj]

Agreed! but calling it a license is not bad!

Bad: no
Inaccurate: yes!

you wouldn't call apples bananas (or perhaps some would? )

 

[General Skanky]

So to mix it up just lovely, is it therefore correct English to say, you are licensed to own a shotgun because you have a certificate?

 

[vmax1010]

I don't care one way or another