Merseyside Police visiting people with 12 or more guns.....

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Sim G
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Re: Merseyside Police visiting people with 12 or more guns..

#11 Post by Sim G »

Gh0st wrote:
And that reason should be accompanied by a warrant.

No it shouldn’t and nor does it have to. If the police turn up with a warrant, I’ll guarantee you, you have no choice or say in the matter!
In 1978 I was told by my grand dad that the secret to rifle accuracy is, a quality bullet, fired down a quality barrel..... How has that changed?

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Dark Skies
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Re: Merseyside Police visiting people with 12 or more guns..

#12 Post by Dark Skies »

So has there been any further explanation as to why FAC holders of more than twelve firearms have been singled out in Mersyside?
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Re: Merseyside Police visiting people with 12 or more guns..

#13 Post by 25Pdr »

Sim G wrote:

I’d suggest if the police turn up announced to inspect your security arrangements it will b because there is a reason. You will be provided with a reason...
One of our Members had just got married and when he returned home he found a large number of cheery Police Men in his home, finding no one at home they simply used the Big Key and let themselves in.

Why? Well turns out he had taken some friends clay shooting to a public range where it was noticed that one of his friends was banned from handling firearms. So it was decided to speak to the Gun Owner. Having let themselves in they discovered some Ammo he was not allowed to own although he was previously licensed to own them.

Result... a large fine and he lost his licence.

They seem to be keeping an eye on us naughty shooters. wtf
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Re: Merseyside Police visiting people with 12 or more guns..

#14 Post by RDC »

25Pdr wrote:
Sim G wrote:

I’d suggest if the police turn up announced to inspect your security arrangements it will b because there is a reason. You will be provided with a reason...
One of our Members had just got married and when he returned home he found a large number of cheery Police Men in his home, finding no one at home they simply used the Big Key and let themselves in.

Why? Well turns out he had taken some friends clay shooting to a public range where it was noticed that one of his friends was banned from handling firearms. So it was decided to speak to the Gun Owner. Having let themselves in they discovered some Ammo he was not allowed to own although he was previously licensed to own them.

Result... a large fine and he lost his licence.

They seem to be keeping an eye on us naughty shooters. wtf
Did the member say how it was noticed? Or why he was in possession of ammo he no longer had authority to possess? Did they crowbar into his cabinets to gain access to the ammo (and everything else)?

Not trying to come across as self-rightous, genuinely interested.

I'm also interested where the responsibility lies to determine who is allowed to handle the firearm. At a club you'd make sure they pre-sign Sec 21 declarations, how would that occur if a private individual was to allow a mate to borrow his shotgun at the range? I assume the public clay range would require these forms filled in normally for all who don't possess an SGC or FAC?
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Re: Merseyside Police visiting people with 12 or more guns..

#15 Post by Sim G »

25Pdr wrote: One of our Members had just got married and when he returned home he found a large number of cheery Police Men in his home, finding no one at home they simply used the Big Key and let themselves in.

Why? Well turns out he had taken some friends clay shooting to a public range where it was noticed that one of his friends was banned from handling firearms. So it was decided to speak to the Gun Owner. Having let themselves in they discovered some Ammo he was not allowed to own although he was previously licensed to own them.

Result... a large fine and he lost his licence.

They seem to be keeping an eye on us naughty shooters. wtf

They would have forced entry because the warrant would have allowed them to. And warrants are not easy things to get by any stretch of the imagination. Try standing in front of a JP and swearing one out! And as it turned out, yes, it was a result. Turns out their information was quite correct and no, you wouldn’t get a warrant on the basis of an anonymous call to Cimestoppers, there would have to several pieces of reliable and corroborated intelligence.

If you’re a “naughty shooter”, then yes, someone may very well be keeping an eye on you. Should you be conducting your lawful activity responsibly, I doubt it...
In 1978 I was told by my grand dad that the secret to rifle accuracy is, a quality bullet, fired down a quality barrel..... How has that changed?

Guns dont kill people. Dads with pretty Daughters do...!
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Re: Merseyside Police visiting people with 12 or more guns..

#16 Post by Sim G »

RDC wrote: I'm also interested where the responsibility lies to determine who is allowed to handle the firearm.

The responsibility would lie with the individual passing the firearm to the prohibited person. The actual offence, s21(5) FA1968 states “knows or reasonable grounds for believing” the person is prohibited. That’s a high level of confidence. Suspecting wouldn’t be enough.

So a bloke running a have-a-go stand at a game fair, takes a fiver from a bloke and gives him a shotgun for a bang at half a dozen clays, no, he doesn’t commit the offence. Taking a “mate”, another story as illustrated here.
In 1978 I was told by my grand dad that the secret to rifle accuracy is, a quality bullet, fired down a quality barrel..... How has that changed?

Guns dont kill people. Dads with pretty Daughters do...!
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Re: Merseyside Police visiting people with 12 or more guns..

#17 Post by Fedaykin »

Up here in Scotlandshire the Plod start to get twitchy when you hit twelve or more guns and start asking questions about your security. A basic DIY centre off the shelf Alarm kit keeps them happy.
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Re: Merseyside Police visiting people with 12 or more guns..

#18 Post by HH1 »

Dark Skies wrote:So has there been any further explanation as to why FAC holders of more than twelve firearms have been singled out in Mersyside?
The figure of 12 guns came from high up within the Merseyside Force / Home Office....

I'm not sure if it is just Merseyside that has been singled out.... (there have been quite a number of guns stolen by force). They may do the same in other counties at some point. Guess we'll have to wait and see.
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Re: Merseyside Police visiting people with 12 or more guns..

#19 Post by knewmans »

Recently put in a renewal. The notes on Form 201 say

Inspection of premises
15. Please allow the police to inspect your guns and security when requested as in the absence of a
warrant consent is required for the police to inspect premises.
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Re: Merseyside Police visiting people with 12 or more guns..

#20 Post by Lever357 »

I think I would be taking their ID, closing the door and ringing force HQ to verify their ID before I let them in.
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