Large bore shotguns were considered the tools of the market hunter. When they were trying to ban the sale of game they also saw fit to ban the tools of those that did that sort of work. Most sportsman didn't use anything larger than a 12 gauge so encouraging a ban on guns they didn't understand was pretty easy.
There have been several tries at getting the bans lifted by people who were very influential in the wildfowling circles but it never stuck. You'll never see it happen today, the outcry of the democratic bunny huggers would be far too loud.
Destry
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I was as virtuously given as a gentleman need to be; virtuous enough; swore little; diced not above seven times a week; went to a bawdy-house once in a quarter--of an hour; paid money that I borrowed, three of four times; lived well and in good compass: and now I live out of all order, out of all compass. Falstaff - Henry IV
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