Two New Permisions For Rabbit Control/Shooting

[ab1964]

My FAC is pretty much open with the conditional phrase, "..for shooting Deer, Foxes, Vermin and for zeroing on ranges, or land, over which the holder has lawful authority to shoot" after each weapon (.177, .22, .243 .308 & FAC 12 Bore).

 

Since getting my FAC, I have obtained new permissions on two parcels of land to shoot rabbits. Land that I - or the land owners - have no knowledge of being shot over before. My own evaluation for a safe weapon to use is .177 for one parcel, and everything else for the other parcel as it is very rural with no public foot paths any where close by. That is my opinion - which really does not mean much when it comes to the law.

 

My question for the forum is: Does the new permissions/land need to be inspected by the local FEO/Firearms Licensing Department to get an official determination of a safe weapon to use? Or do I just use my best judgment - and shoot the rabbits as safely as I see fit?

 

Thanks for looking and for any advice/tips.

Edited April 19, 2010 by ab1964

[daft dog]

As long as you don't have the phase "...or land deemed suitable by the cheif officer of police for the area where the land is situated....." then you probably have an "open" ticket which means its your judgement which makes the land suitable or not for a particular calibre. if you have the above phase on your condition then you have a closed ticket which means you need to get it inspected by your FEO.

 

If in any doubt then give your firearms department a call to confirm if you have an open ticket or not. if its open then your call, if not then get it inspected.

 

ATB

 

DD

[CZ550Kevlar]

Yes you have an open licence from the wording you have stated, there are 3 ways to play it.

 

1- Pass the land yourself end of.

2- Ask the FEO to come out and get him to pass it for whatever calibres he feels are appropriate, you can always say it is for future reference for closed licence holders and you just covered yourself with no harm done.

3- Pass the land yourself but draw up a risk assesment etc showing backstops etc then if god forbid something happens you have some kind of audit trail to show your logic in deciding calibres before you went out guns blazing so to speak.

[ab1964]

Thank You CZ550Kevlar & daft dog for your replies.

 

The information helped to formulate my enquiry to my local (North Yorkshire) FEO. I decided to play it safe and ask, though I do have an open ticket.

 

Answer to my enquiry, sent out this morning, was replied to straight away. In short the FEO's answer was to use my best judgment in determining safe shooting practices over permissible land.

 

Again, thank you for your help.