bicykillgaz Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 just returned from meeting the local grounds keeper at a nearby school who's been looking into getting me permission to shoot the rabbits which invade the football pitch's from a rail enbankment which runs parralel to the school field, unfortunately the head hasn't decided yet it's been about 4 months so i'm guessing it's not gonna happen now, anyway i took my hushpower with me as if i get the green light from the head i would have gone for a walk round, when i was coming home i stopped off at the local newsagents to get my lottery and a bag of crisps it also doubles up as a postoffice, i walked in grabbed my crisps and a few other bit and joined the que at the newsagents side behind the other three customers, it got to me i ordered my euro and normal lottery and the guy said it came to £7.17p altogether so got my cash out and started to ask the bloke what size the jack pot was, when his wife who runs the post office side shouted over 'is that a gun' so i said 'i've got my licence with me yes it is' trying not to panic her as she seemed a bit skittish and she said ' i've got my hand on the panic button, i thought it was, don't you know it's illigal to have a gun in here' so i appologised and said it was un loaded and said again i had my licence with me if she wanted to see it to which she replied 'it doesn't matter it's illigal, we get coppers coming in here all the time if they saw you they would arrest you for attempted armed robbery' (there is a local police station round the corner) so i said i wasn't aware it was illigal as the gun was not load was slipped and i had my licences on me but i'll npt do it again and gave her husband my money and went to walk out. then she said 'i know it's the law they teach you on the post office security course' my reply was 'oh well sorry i was just on my way home i'll not do it again, sorry' then she proceeded to go on for 5mins about how they get mystery shoppers and if one came in saw me stood there with a gun she would get in loads of trouble and they would call the police, i thought well the longer you keep me ******* talking the more chance there is. then she started telling me about how a local post office had been armed robbed recently, i said it was probably gypsys as there is a local camp and she said that it was two locals who they'd caught, at this point i was hanging out the door trying to leave and appologised again and walked out i thought i could have my gun on me in a public place so long as it was slipped so surely i wasn't breaking the law, i couldn't believe how she was going on it's not even the first time i've been in there with my gun, she served me as i was sending something recorded delivery to another forum member, plus i go in there a few times a week for lottery and other stuff, even the husband said he never said anything as he knew me! was she right or just been a drama queen i mean attempted armed robbery for carrying a gun in a slip un loaded with all the appropriate paperwork and dressed as if i was off shooting and not a balacalava in sight! if it wasn't for her talking to me i'd have handed the bloke my money and been gone i never even looked at the post office counter till she called out 'is that a gun' with a panicked tone to her. surely to be attempted armed robbery i would have had to have attempted to rob her! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imperfection Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 (edited) Far as im aware,provided the gun is slipped and licenced-you're legal. Edited to add: Shows how times have changed.Going back only 25 years while with friends at his grandparents house-we used to see people walking on the pavement with a broken shotgun over their shoulders and half dozen rabbits/pheasants etc strung off other.No one blinked an eye or felt the need to call the Police. It just seems that people have been overly sensitised to guns now,but i guess Post Offices do get held up so she might be justifiably nervous around them. Perhaps next time you're asked just say its a fishing rod. Edited January 22, 2010 by Imperfection Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bicykillgaz Posted January 22, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 thats what i thought but didn't want to stand arguing so just appologised a lot to try and calm her down a bit seemed a bit ott considering she knows me can't believe she had her hand on the panic button! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chard Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 I don't know what the law is and whether she was right or wrong about it But personally, I wouldn't have gone into a Post Office, or any other shop, with a gun Not these days, where everything is met with hysteria. Nobody in this country seems capable of calm and rational thought any more. If two people catch flu, we're all going to die of an epidemic, if we get more than an inch of snow, we're all going to freeze to death or starve, trapped in our homes. If the temperature is above freezing for more than a week, it's global warming and the planet is on it's way out. So, it stands to reason, if you go into the Post Office with a gun, you must be about to turn the place over and shoot everybody on sight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 it comes down to whats sensible, wandering round with a shotgun even in a slip isn't sensible. Taking one to do your shopping isn't either, just take it home then go back. It is hard if you don't drive but they don't go down well in public whatever is in theory legal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David BASC Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 Sec 19 Firearms Act '68 - if you have reasonable excuse you are allowed to have your gun on you in a public place. A shop is a public place during the hours on normal business, and it is reasonable for you not to leave your gun in the car, especially as there may be some ‘bad lads’ in the area. David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bicykillgaz Posted January 22, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 i can see your point but it was slipped over my shoulder with crisps and stuff in my hands i would have had to be real quick on the draw to pull that one off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bicykillgaz Posted January 22, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 (edited) it comes down to whats sensible, wandering round with a shotgun even in a slip isn't sensible. Taking one to do your shopping isn't either, just take it home then go back. It is hard if you don't drive but they don't go down well in public whatever is in theory legal as i said mate i had been to meet someone regarding permission and took my gun incase i was ok to shoot i wasn't just wandering aimlessly or just took it to go shopping i had a reason to be carrying it Sec 19 Firearms Act '68 - if you have reasonable excuse you are allowed to have your gun on you in a public place. A shop is a public place during the hours on normal business, and it is reasonable for you not to leave your gun in the car, especially as there may be some ‘bad lads’ in the area. David i don't drive so leaving it anywhere is not an option, i also removed my hat as i walked in so my face was in full view got my bits straight away and joined the que and the slip was over my shoulder the whole time with my left hand holding the strap and right hand holding my food untill he told me the price then i was sorting the money with both hands so still not acting suspiciously Edited January 22, 2010 by bicykillgaz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebarrels Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 thats what i thought but didn't want to stand arguing so just appologised a lot to try and calm her down a bit seemed a bit ott considering she knows me can't believe she had her hand on the panic button! You did the correct thing mate to apologise ,and not make the situation any worse i dont think you did anything wrong,however its probalbly not a good idea to do it again,seems to me shes a bit edgy and highly strung BB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 probably not worth doing again eh! Smaller postoffices are paranoid round us about being held up as ****** do it pretty regularly so I can understand where they are coming from, you either protest your legal right to do it or do what most other owners do and keep a low profile when you have a gun. After all walking round your local area with it does broadcast to one and all that you have guns kept at your house. I only ever go from the house to the car and car to where I'm shooting If you're on a bike etc can't you break it down and put it in a ruck sack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bicykillgaz Posted January 22, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 You did the correct thing mate to apologise ,and not make the situation any worse i dont think you did anything wrong,however its probalbly not a good idea to do it again,seems to me shes a bit edgy and highly strung BB i won't be doing it again mate i told her that when i was apologising Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 as i said mate i had been to meet someone regarding permission and took my gun incase i was ok to shoot i wasn't just wandering aimlessly or just took it to go shopping i had a reason to be carrying it i don't drive so leaving it anywhere is not an option, i also removed my hat as i walked in so my face was in full view got my bits straight away and joined the que and the slip was over my shoulder the whole time with my left hand holding the strap and right hand holding my food untill he told me the price then i was sorting the money with both hands so still not acting suspiciously Are you sure she was talking about what was in the bag? LOL Probably best avoided if possible, get your snaks/lotto another time without your gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bicykillgaz Posted January 22, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 probably not worth doing again eh! Smaller postoffices are paranoid round us about being held up as ****** do it pretty regularly so I can understand where they are coming from, you either protest your legal right to do it or do what most other owners do and keep a low profile when you have a gun. After all walking round your local area with it does broadcast to one and all that you have guns kept at your house. I only ever go from the house to the car and car to where I'm shooting If you're on a bike etc can't you break it down and put it in a ruck sack i mainly travel on foot unless going further afield so it's hard to keep a low profile mate wearing either realtree or all green like today, i usually walk with it on the opposite shoulder to the road and keep to the furthest side of the path so no one can grab it as they pass and its a .410 hush power and does not fit in any of my rucksacks, so other than getting out the KY and thinking of england i've got no other sensible method of carrying it, and the way i do it may not be to your liking but is perfectly legal mate, the thread was meant to find out if she was right about it been illegal and classed as attempted armed robbery, not a debate on if you think me carrying a slipped gun is broadcasting i have guns in my house cheers for the reply anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breastman Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 Next weeks installment; The Bank: Is it legal to juggle shotgun cartridges while in the queue in Barclays As David says, perfectly legal, but perhaps not a good idea. In your circumstances i would have done the same thing. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bicykillgaz Posted January 22, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 not sure about barclays but natwest aren't too keen! but then again i was wearing a balacalava that day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 I understand that Pavman and Starlight had a similar issue with a post office near them. Anyways, it turned out they weren't carrying guns, they were just pleased to see her. <wokka wokka indeed> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 Hi, The only mistake that you might have made was taking the gun in the first place and has nothing to do with the PO. By taking it and if the Headmaster had seen it, it would look as though you had already made the decision for him. It wouldn't have gone down well. A good rule of thumb for seeking permission is never to go in shooting kit and with a gun for that very reason. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bicykillgaz Posted January 22, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 Hi, The only mistake that you might have made was taking the gun in the first place and has nothing to do with the PO. By taking it and if the Headmaster had seen it, it would look as though you had already made the decision for him. It wouldn't have gone down well. A good rule of thumb for seeking permission is never to go in shooting kit and with a gun for that very reason.Cheers i wasn't going to see the head the grounds keeper passed the information on to his supervisor who spoke with the head and passed on all my details of insurance and licences plus 2 permission slips one for them and one for me and i was told brian (the grounds keeper) would give me a letter from the head and a signed permission slip if everything was ok i've also been told by the supervisor if brian is there shooting (they both have permission) i am allowed to join him but i am waiting for the head to ok me to go lamping on my own out of school hours. i understand what your saying though mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 (edited) I'd be looking elsewhere with things as they are no head teacher is going to let you use a shotgun in school grounds unfortunatelyunless they're mad. You can see the irrational paper headlines already Edited January 22, 2010 by al4x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bicykillgaz Posted January 22, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 (edited) I'd be looking elsewhere with things as they are no head teacher is going to let you use a shotgun in school grounds unfortunatelyunless they're mad. You can see the irrational paper headlines already i am still looking else where, i wouldn't think the .410hushpower would be a problem considering the ground is cleared for a .22lr and i would only be shooting out of hours which others have done previously with no problems. its just my luck though as i put in for permission they change heads and the new one doesn't seem as keen on shooting as the last on the plus side though he's not said no so there is still hope to be fair i wouldn't use my .22lr there though Edited January 22, 2010 by bicykillgaz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chard Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 I understand that Pavman and Starlight had a similar issue with a post office near them. Anyways, it turned out they weren't carrying guns, they were just pleased to see her. <wokka wokka indeed> Is that a pistol in your pocket, or have you got a ******* great stalk on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmyb79 Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 Just as a point to add, the issue over being arrested for armed robbery etc is absolutely ridiculous. There is a distinct difference between holding a gun and saying "I've got a gun, give me all your money" to "Please may I have some Euro Lottery tickets" with a slipped gun over your shoulder. It all comes down to a question of what your intention was, and so I find it highly unlikely that you'd be arrested for that. Also, I would far rather explain myself to a police officer as to why I had a slipped gun in a post office than explaining where I'd left it in my car before it got nicked whilst I was buying a lottery ticket! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bicykillgaz Posted January 22, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 (edited) Just as a point to add, the issue over being arrested for armed robbery etc is absolutely ridiculous.There is a distinct difference between holding a gun and saying "I've got a gun, give me all your money" to "Please may I have some Euro Lottery tickets" with a slipped gun over your shoulder. It all comes down to a question of what your intention was, and so I find it highly unlikely that you'd be arrested for that. Also, I would far rather explain myself to a police officer as to why I had a slipped gun in a post office than explaining where I'd left it in my car before it got nicked whilst I was buying a lottery ticket! thats exactly what i thought when she said it but as she seemed a bit highly strung didn't want to argue so appologised to calm her down. thing that gets me is if she hadn't interupted me 5-10 seconds later i would have been out the door and on my merry way! Edited January 22, 2010 by bicykillgaz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deny essex Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 Agree with better not to take your gun in the post office , but I am not sure if the law has changed and my memory correct but it was at one time legal to carry an unloaded broken shotgun , unslipped on a public highway or such like, in my younger days (much younger) shotgun licence and air rifle licence were obtained from the post office , it was not unusual to see guys with guns over their shoulders queing to get their licence and no one realy batted an eyelid, my brother ordered his 1st shotgun through a mail order catalogue, it was delayed in delivery and he complained, they sent another and they both arrived at the same time no production of licence was needed to be seen . how things change! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 (edited) when we were young we used two walk down the street with guns open no one took any notice,its the goverment that has made guns a dirty word. Edited January 22, 2010 by mossy835 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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