Security check.

[Pete]

I've just read through the gov. Guide on Firearms licensing, updated 19 Dec, 2024, and I can't see any reference to specific numbers of firearms being held, or statutary requirement for monitored security.
The levels 1, 2, and 3 are defined by various criteria such as local crime statistics, type of building where they'll be stored, as well as the number and type of firearms.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... ammunition

Pete

[targetman]

The Guide on Firearms Licensing Chapter 18.25 The Broad Levels of Security paragraph paragraph shows the three levels of security. Under Level 3 paragraph 18.38 says that a “larger” number of firearms may be taken as meaning more than twelve guns" Paragraph 1835 says that 8.35 "For these purposes, a “substantial” number of firearms should be considered with regard to the type of firearms, their potential danger if misused and their likely attractiveness to criminals – for example, forces may wish to exclude muzzle-loading shot guns and muzzle-loading rifles given they rarely feature in criminal use. At the lower end the number might vary between 6 and 10, depending on the type of firearm concerned, whilst anything over ten would rarely be lower than level 2"

The advice I was given was that only 2 firearms held, just a secure cabinet is required. Over 2 but less than 12 secure cabinet and an Intruder House Alarm is required, 12 or more then a Police Monitored Alarm is mandatory.

Reading through the various Govt articles on the subject, which are as always with Govt paperwork deliberately confusing, I have to agree with my FEO that the advice I was given is correct.

[Lever357]

"But there is no actual number of firearms stated in law as a maximum, it is individual forces applying their own rules. I know a few people with 30 plus."

You are correct, there is no upper limit as to the number of firearms you can own, however the new legislation passed by Parliament in 2003 puts restrictions regarding the number held under certain security requirements. If you hold 12 or more than a Police Monitored Alarm is mandatory, less than 12 but more than two a self monitored intruder alarm is mandatory. If only two are held than no alarm is required. This all plus the standard security requirements regarding safe storage.
As I say this is now Legislative and not up to local police to interpret as they see fit.

And yes, shotguns are included.

and yet I know a few people with more than twelve and guess what - no "mandatory police monitored alarms" installed

[targetman]

But have they renewed or varied their FAC recently. This situation was only bought to my attention when I applied for a variation to increase my collection to 27.

[The Event]

From Paragraph 18.38 of the Guidance,
"As with level 2, it is not sufficient to base an assessment on the number of firearms alone; all other factors mentioned above are equally important".

In other words they can't just say x number of guns means you need this. They have to take all circumstances into account - Crime level for the area, type of guns, multiple cabinets, door and window locks, CCTV, regular alarm, a dog, how often the premises are unoccupied and so on.

[Blackstuff]

The 'type of guns/desirability' part is interesting. I'm sure that an unrestricted/S1 shotgun, particularly those with detachable magazines, or perhaps a military looking straight-pull rifle would rank highly in that, yeah neither has ever featured in a serious firearms incident and AFAIK, don't regularly feature in criminal use, whether discharged or not.

From the ONS data the #1 firearm type (actual firearms, not airguns) used in both firearms crime including where injury/death occurs is handguns, and therefore outside the reach of us law-abiding citizens. Next appears to be S2 shotguns, which are going to be far and away the most prolific gun that people own, and likely in multiple numbers, however i'm sure an old SbS will rank low on that 'desirability' scale....

I'd be very interested in finding out the actual ranking