The Member told me that the Police had suspected the banned person had been given access to his Shotgun and the reason for the Warranted home visit was to check his Firearms for DNA evidence to confirm their suspicion. Don't know how the Police suspected this, although it would seem they were keeping a close eye on the banned individual, non certificate holders are required to identify - (Sign the Register) - themselves at the mentioned range.RDC wrote: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)?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.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...
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.
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?
Don't know if they forced his cabinets, the Ammo was of a kind he had previously been allowed to own legally but not now. (Think Pistol ban).
As to where the responsibility lies to determine who is allowed to handle your own firearm(s) good point, something I have wondered myself, although Sim has expertly cleared up that point.
Sim said...
"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.