I live in a rural area
And I own a gun
It took a visit from the polic.
I had to prove I had a big rabbit problem
I had to prove that a 16Mn airgun would not do the job
They decided that a 0.22 would be the best calibre
But an air powered (external gas tank) gun would do the job @ 45Nm
And I didn't really want something that could fire a mile +
I then had to get three referees as to my sanity and suitability
A criminal record check is manditory
A month later I received a fire arms certificate
I could then buy said weapon
It has to be locked in a steel (bolted to floor and wall) cabinet
It has to be kept locked at all times
The ammo must be hidden in a different place
Only I have access to they key
Oh - and I cannot transport it, or use it, off my land without police prior permission

If I was in a city there would no chance of getting a certificate for anything
And there is an outright ban on all hand guns

The one exception for rifles (only) is to join a gun club.
Hand guns of all form are banned at clubs too

This contributes somewhat to peaceful nature of the UK - gun wise anyway

I'm in Singapore right now - and they have even tighter controls than the UK.
Next stop Switzerland - and a bit more relaxed than the UK