||| I hardly ever use my shotgnu* these days
|| What exactly are the criteria for owning a shotgnu these day Richard?
Can't say I know for definite. There used to be a requirement to show a genuine need for one, but I think that was scrapped a few years ago. Living where I do, we're surrounded by woods and farmland, so pigeons for the pot, controlling vermin, whatever, and everyone's got one anyway, so it wasn't an issue for me. I just applied, was inspected, and got the licence. They were more concerned about the security of my cabinet (which is a real belt'n'braces job) - once they saw I had taken care of that issue, it was plain sailing. I don't know how this would apply in your neck of the woods - not as easy, I would think. A lot of it is down to the local force's discretion, but there is a mechnism for appeal if you feel you are turned down for no good reason.
(Just remembered - you have to supply a medical certificate. Mine contained the word "depression" and I had to explain that one away to the dibbles. It was in a context like "the patient complained of a small depression in the back of his knee", but they were keen to know I wasn't going to buy one and top myself the next day.)
Why do you ask - worried about the Hayabusa? Don't blame you. :-)