Lowell,
No it is not as bad as people will have you believe here in the UK.Shotguns are no problem to have and to own and use for game and clays.
Rifles as with shotguns you have to give good reason to have one and that is really all there is to it.Large calibre rifles are no problem to own if you are a target shooter.If you are a hunter you have to prove you have suitable land to fire that size of calibre on, easily done if you buy a days hunting on an estate or get written permission to shoot over someones land either farm or moor.