The Firearms Act 1968 brought together all existing legislation in a single statute.

Applicants for Firearms Certificates (for rifles and handguns) had to be of good character, to show good reason for possessing a firearm, and the weapons had to be stored securely.

The Act introduced a Shotgun Certificate for the first time.

A Shotgun Certificate was less rigorous than a Firearm Certificate, it covered any number of shotguns, no good reason was required, and there were no storage requirements. 

This Act formed the legal basis for British gun control until the Hungerford massacre in 1987