It is quite interesting to talk to people who have no idea of the complexities involved in taking up the sport of shooting using anything but air guns. Chatting with an accountant the other day I explained the rigmarole involved in progressing from somebody who fancies the idea to being an FAC holder and gun owner. He decided that it was far too much trouble.
He the shocked me a bit by asking if I would shoot a burglar. I told him I would if I could phone 999 and ask for assistance. I then had to explain that it would be quicker to wait for the police. If I was to even consider the self defence option I would firstly have to make a conscious decision about which firearm would be most effective, then locate the keys for the right cabinet then I would have to go to a different part of the house and retrieve the correct keys. I would then have to go to another part of the house to access the cabinet. I would then have to find the right keys to the right ammunition cabinet and then go to yet another cabinet to retrieve the bolt and a magazine. Then the gun would need to be assembled, the magazine charged and the gun finally loaded before it could be used. He was amazed at the security under which I keep my guns and had assumed they were just tucked away in wardrobes or shoved under beds. I suspect there are many who think this way.
At least he understood why waiting for the police could be quicker.
I got the feeling all he wanted to do was get his hands on a gun he could use for home defence so I tried to make it sound as difficult as I could.