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Carrying a rifle on/across a Highway


Kes
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Bit of advice please.

On my permission, a road divides the land into two more or less equal halves. Going foxing I have to cross and recross the road (albeit late at night usually).

No problem when we shoot pheasants but with a heavy rifle and kit its not too simple - taking off the mod very long scope etc.

Is it legal to cross with ammo and bolt removed or is this still 'capable of firing'?

I know its desirable to cover the weapon but its not really practicable - so what do you guys do?

Thanks in advance,

Kes

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Carrying firearm in a public place.

 

A person commits an offence if, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse (the proof whereof lies on him) he has with him in a public place

[F45(a)a loaded shot gun,

 

(b)an air weapon (whether loaded or not),

 

©any other firearm (whether loaded or not) together with ammunition suitable for use in that firearm, or

 

(d)an imitation firearm.]

 

 

Basically I would unload the mag from the rifle (you could take the bolt out and empty the mag just to be sure). As long as you are legally shooting on land nearby, have the requisite FAC and are crossing from one point to another (within in a the immediate vicinity - although this is not stated in the legislation) I would believe you would have no worries legally.

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What he said ^ ^

 

The removal of the magazine shows good intentions on the part of the shooter - I would not remove the bolt myself but I do drop my mag off and pull the bolt back to prove a clear chamber.

 

Mossy, I'm confused by your post - do you know the person who got done, or the police officer who told you they did?

 

I'd be interested in the circumstances involved as under the circs given by the OP then reasonable excuse would be relatively easy to show.

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I remember reading in sporting gun an article from basc. It said if you are crossing from one field into another it is legal to cross without putting the gun in a slip as long as its not loaded. It better be right because I do it all the time

 

Me too! I just empty the chamber and drop the mag and wait for a gap in the trafic, or if it's really late and I can open the gates rather than climb them, just walk across and carry on! Note the whether loaded or not - that suggests it makes no odds either way?

 

I do tend to try to hide the fact I have a gun from the road users. If it's busy I will wait or slip it to avoid upsetting anyone.

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What he said ^ ^

 

The removal of the magazine shows good intentions on the part of the shooter - I would not remove the bolt myself but I do drop my mag off and pull the bolt back to prove a clear chamber.

 

Mossy, I'm confused by your post - do you know the person who got done, or the police officer who told you they did?

 

I'd be interested in the circumstances involved as under the circs given by the OP then reasonable excuse would be relatively easy to show.

 

 

 

i know a police sargent and we were talking about shooting , and he said some one just got done for crossing the rd, with out a gun in a slip.that was a few years back now,

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I have permission to shoot a few hundred yards from my door. I live down a quiet road in a village and often walk out of the house with a broken shotgun over my arm or a rifle over my shoulder. Frequently I shoot from a bridleway into fields, the bridleway is a public right of way. Don't even take a slip with me.

 

I have a reasonable excuse.

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I always slip it empty,be it shotgun or rifle when crossing over a road,

 

As I understand it, I would be committing an offence of having a firearm in a public place!

 

As has been said, there is no requirement in law to cover your firearms, you would not be committing an offence because you have a lawful excuse.

 

Of course common sense dictates when and when not to use a slip.

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