The previous Conservative government had exceeded the recommendations of the Cullen Report and introduced the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997 that banned "high calibre" handguns, greater than .22 calibre (5.6 mm).

2) Act further prohibited the private possession of all cartridge handguns, regardless of calibre.

The only handguns still allowed following the ban were: The Act does not extend to Northern Ireland, where firearms regulations differ due to the Troubles.

Northern Ireland law allows pistols for use as personal protection weapons, mainly by retired police or prison officers, but also prominent figures who were considered at risk.

It also does not extend to Crown Dependencies such as the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, where handguns are still used in target sports.