HDAV Posted October 12, 2014 Report Share Posted October 12, 2014 (edited) So had a phone renewal interview with FEO beginning of the week went through everything on my form then tells me "i'll pass the forms on to community police patrol they will contact you to arrange come round and inspect your security" So saturday evening missus was in bed with a cold, i was relaxing at home knock on the door and 2 bobby's stood there! "we've come about your shotgun renewal" "er nobody phoned to say you were coming, weren't you supposed to phone and make an appointment?" "If its not convenient we can come back tomorrow" "er, i want to go shooting tomorrow! er come on in" So there i am with 2 uniformed bobbys in the lounge when the missus (looking like death warmed up comes in and gives me the evils, place was a bit of a mess i was 75% through doing a 15 different things in my defence i wasn't expecting company!) to get a drink. I was their first "check" they only had a quick briefing from an FEO/FLO the other week and then come to check my security with a list of questions/things to check. They had no idea what they were looking for both had at least fired a shotgun on on his birthday one year the other at a have a go stand. To be fair they seemed decent chaps one was happy to chat the other wanted to tick the boxes and go. NOt having a go at the officers who turned up they were completely ill prepared for what they were doing and instead of a quick visit from FEOi had a 30 min phone call then a 20min visit from 2 community bobbies. so more man time time than old way of doing it! Funny thing is they said they werent allowed to handle my guns incase they damaged them.... they both held all mine! Edited October 12, 2014 by HDAV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phaedra1106 Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 I never let Plod handle any of my firearms, I have no way of knowing that they have received any training or are qualified to do so. On one inspection the chap from Northumbria was not happy as I wouldn't let him hold my S&W 29 (Dirty Harry 44mag revolver) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steppenwolf Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 Ah brilliant, I think due to police shortages this is what we all have to look forard to nationwide. Stories like these make you lose faith in the police. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted October 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 I never let Plod handle any of my firearms, I have no way of knowing that they have received any training or are qualified to do so. On one inspection the chap from Northumbria was not happy as I wouldn't let him hold my S&W 29 (Dirty Harry 44mag revolver) No qualifications are required! I was making sure they did handle them. They were nice chaps but I felt unprepared for the task. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bostonmick Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 (edited) I never let Plod handle any of my firearms, I have no way of knowing that they have received any training or are qualified to do so. On one inspection the chap from Northumbria was not happy as I wouldn't let him hold my S&W 29 (Dirty Harry 44mag revolver) And just what training or qualifications did you have to gain your firearms in the first instance.if you put barriers up you may find yourself on the wrong side of them. Edited October 13, 2014 by bostonmick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phaedra1106 Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 I went through 6 months of detailed instruction and observation at my first club before being allowed to apply for my Fac, I was taught safe handling is paramount and is not something to be compromised. I wouldn't dream of handing a firearm to anyone who's knowledge of firearms was unknown (policeman or otherwise). What barriers would I be putting up?, how can the refusal to let (in the case of the Northumbria PC) someone who's never handled a firearm have access to one possibly be construed as anything other than safe handling?. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steppenwolf Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 Exactly, I support phaedra's views. These PCSOs and regular bobbies know nothing about firearms, sho why should we let them touch them? No way jose! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckyshot Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 I went through 6 months of detailed instruction and observation at my first club before being allowed to apply for my Fac, I was taught safe handling is paramount and is not something to be compromised. I wouldn't dream of handing a firearm to anyone who's knowledge of firearms was unknown (policeman or otherwise). What barriers would I be putting up?, how can the refusal to let (in the case of the Northumbria PC) someone who's never handled a firearm have access to one possibly be construed as anything other than safe handling?. What harm can anyone to to your firearms by handling them unless you keep them loaded which I'm sure you don't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bostonmick Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 (edited) So that's no formal of any real kind then.also fao do not necessarily have any real knowledge of handling/using a gun. so when they do a check on your guns do you read the numbers to them or give them a pair of binoculars to read them from a distance.the police are only calling to check your guns are safe and anyone can look and see if a cabinet is fixed securely.also police are trained to gather information from the way you answer questions and body language. So they are not the silly boys that some would like to think. Edited October 13, 2014 by bostonmick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phaedra1106 Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 (edited) No, of course I don't store my firearms loaded but remember the golden rule, always treat a firearm as if it's loaded until you can verify that it's not. I know that, you know that, hopefully everyone who shoots knows that. Every renewal inspection I've had in over 35yrs of shooting I've taken whichever firearm was required out of the cabinet and held it up with the serial number facing towards the person doing the inspection so they can clearly see it and verify it. I never said they were "silly boys" (or girls either), all I said is that I wouldn't hand over a firearm to anyone who's knowledge of firearms and their correct handling I wasn't aware of, seems a reasonably sensible practice to me. Edited October 13, 2014 by phaedra1106 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steppenwolf Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 (edited) +1^ I don't know how to "like" someone's post. Then they had better get somebody qualified to handle firearms, not my fault. I went through the club probation and safety talk also, not my problem if they haven't got a clue. Edited October 13, 2014 by Steppenwolf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bostonmick Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 so ask for their formal firearms training certificates simple.but then maybe the police may insist that you all achieve the same from a recognised and approved organisation also at your cost before giving you a license to roam the countryside with high powered rifles.also as a spin off of this it may even speed up your renewals if there is more people to do inspections and also speedy grants instead of waiting months.so could be good news for those waiting to join the sport. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steppenwolf Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 It's not quite the same, we as responsible firearms owners of course get safety courses and instruction how to use our firearms safely. It should be to us individually to do that. If you mandate an accreditation scheme this will be to raise revenue and open to abuse. It is one thing for someone who has been granted a firearms license who has been amember of a club for 6 months and trained in their safe use and completely different to jst give a policeman with no training a firearm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phaedra1106 Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 There's no reason why an inspecting policeman/woman would need to handle the firearms, all they need to be able to do is verify that its serial number matches their records. Apart from the one officer from Northumbria none of the other officers carrying out inspections have had any problems with being shown the firearm and its serial number. As I said, not handing over a firearm to someone who's competence you aren't aware of is simply (as far as I'm concerned) good safe handling practice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bostonmick Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 so what exactly do you think the untrained policeman/woman is going to do with your gun.after all you would open your shotgun to show they are empty.and your rifles with the bolt taken out.and how many of you have not let a friend who is thinking of getting intop shooting have a look at your guns.if the police visit you and that is a big IF as long as all is in order then it can only be a good thing for you.and as it says on the guidance they will do these visits if they have cause for concern.i doubt you will ever get one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitsinhedges Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 What a complete waste of resources. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steppenwolf Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 Yeah as I said in the other threads, this is probably just political grandstanding and nothing will really change since all the "new proposals" which they are suggesting are already in law and in police practice. Nobody here is genuinely refusing the police to view thier firearms we just request that they come by appointment only and are considerate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welsh1 Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 There's no reason why an inspecting policeman/woman would need to handle the firearms, all they need to be able to do is verify that its serial number matches their records. Apart from the one officer from Northumbria none of the other officers carrying out inspections have had any problems with being shown the firearm and its serial number. As I said, not handing over a firearm to someone who's competence you aren't aware of is simply (as far as I'm concerned) good safe handling practice. A policeman does not have to be competent in firearms safety to hold your firearms, what would you do if you are out and a Pc stops you and asks for your firearms? All you have to do is make sure the firearm is in a safe state before handing it over( SOP) once he has it you are still there to supervise should he do something silly like point it at a person you are there to step in and remove the firearm from him for his own safety ,I would encourage them to be involved and chat about what he has in his hand, you never know he might be the next recruit to your club/ground etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kes Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 so what exactly do you think the untrained policeman/woman is going to do with your gun.after all you would open your shotgun to show they are empty.and your rifles with the bolt taken out.and how many of you have not let a friend who is thinking of getting intop shooting have a look at your guns.if the police visit you and that is a big IF as long as all is in order then it can only be a good thing for you.and as it says on the guidance they will do these visits if they have cause for concern.i doubt you will ever get one. Did you notice the title - RENEWAL SECURITY VISIT ? Or are you talking about renewals - incredible - literally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted October 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 Crown servants are exempt form the firearms act while discharging their duty. You should never hand over a gun unless it is safe and prove it safe to the person you are handing it to. Shouldn't be a problem unless you are in the habit of keeping loaded firearms at home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aris Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 Crown servants are exempt form the firearms act while discharging their duty. You should never hand over a gun unless it is safe and prove it safe to the person you are handing it to. Shouldn't be a problem unless you are in the habit of keeping loaded firearms at home. Are PCSO's technically crown servants, or just employees? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted October 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 NOT sure on PCSO, Specials are, PCSO i think are the same as the people who clean the bogs police employees (the important bit is the carrying of a warrant card IIRC) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rst1990 Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 When the plod has come over to inspect my guns I just hand them over, I know they are safe no one has a key to the safe but me, and I always check before leaving the field and also check before putting in the cabinet that they are clear. The firearms are only dangerous if the ammunition is in them other than that they are about as dangerous as the ironing board leaning up the wall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bostonmick Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 Did you notice the title - RENEWAL SECURITY VISIT ? Or are you talking about renewals - incredible - literally. oh dear I seem to have upset you once again.i also notice that you have no constructive input on this thread.i take it then that you are obviously now my personal troll.well enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aris Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 NOT sure on PCSO, Specials are, PCSO i think are the same as the people who clean the bogs police employees (the important bit is the carrying of a warrant card IIRC) So if PCSO come to inspect, really they should not touch anything? Didn't someone here say PCSO's were sent? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.