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Merseyside Police are contacting FAC holders who have not yet got full membership of a club (even when they are probationary members of a club)
telling them that their firearms will be collected by Merseyside Police in the next few days .

They are told that the firearms will be returned if and when they have full membership of a club .

Do you have documentary evidence for that? And what grounds are they doing it under?

I can see the shooting organisations becoming rather livid about it, if it is true.

Bit sneaky, with current rules around leaving home it makes it rather difficult to lodge your Guns with an RFD! Considering how often guns that go into 'Police care' come back damaged I would be rather unhappy about the prospect.

Certainly needs some rapid response by the national shooting organisation, for those affected make sure you take careful dated photographs of your property and ensure that the Police clearly sign that they have taken them in an undamaged state.

So this applies to people who are FAC holders and have recently changed their clubs then? It is the only way an probationary member of a club can be an FAC holder, unless they have given up shooting over land...

As per Paa, this is very confusing, Why would a probationer have an FAC and hold firearms? You have to be a full member of a home office approved club before applying is my understanding.

Unless of course its converting from land to Target?

Ovenpaa wrote:So this applies to people who are FAC holders and have recently changed their clubs then? It is the only way an probationary member of a club can be an FAC holder, unless they have given up shooting over land...

Correct .

One shooter concerned emailed Merseyside Firearms unit asking for confirmation .
The reply was this is force policy .

The firearms will be collected and taken to an RFD for storage .

Is this a backlash from the Merseyside club that closed recently?

Ovenpaa wrote:Is this a backlash from the Merseyside club that closed recently?

yes, I'd imagine so, only way to be a holder and not belong to a club - except overland, but then you don't need that exception

looks like merseyside being arses

time to get the bubblewrap out

Actually one can be a probationer and hold firearms if just moved club.

surely would depend on reasons for leaving the club? if club folded, then yes. but if club kicked you out? I think police would want them lodged.

and if club was running, and you just moved, why would you cancel membership until you were a full member elsewhere, as no guarantee you will get into new club