Cake444 Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 Question on legality I’m heading down to a small property this weekend to clear some rabbits. I’m not a huge fan of the property as its small and there are houses and a public footpath at one end of the field. I’m BASC registered on the land and the land owner wants me down there, so legally I’m ok. I always nock on the neighbour doors and let them know I’m there and what time I will be finished. I will be going with a friend who works with the land owner and originally got me permission. My question is – I have two shotguns under my SGC, can my friend use one alongside me in my company? I hate shooting there. Even though I do everything by the book I just fear that somebody nearby will decide to contact the police and weave a story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Good shot? Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 (edited) Is a shotgun the only option? I too would be reluctant from your description of the permission and would prefer other options such as air rifle. However the law on using shotgun without a sgc has been discussed on here previously and I still believe it to be a bit vague based on these discussions. If you are using shotgun supplied by the land/sporting rights owner and under his supervision it is ok. That in a nutshell is how I see it but others have added other interpretations and I am sure your post will generate other opinions. I personally have not seen a definitive answer to this question and would welcome one as you do. Edited December 8, 2011 by Good shot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piebob Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 The definite answer is to contact your local FEO as each force interprets and/or defines things differently. So it may be OK for me, but not for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 As far as I am aware the law is : You may only lend a shotgun to someone without a certificate if you are with that person, on land of which you are legally the occupier. Which I take to be that the land owner or tennant may lend a shotgun to a non certificate holder if they were shooting with them , as it seems you are not the land owner then I think it would be unlawful for you to lend your mate a shotgun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docholiday Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 dont think you have to be either, just supervised is ok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cake444 Posted December 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 Is a shotgun the only option? I too would be reluctant from your description of the permission and would prefer other options such as air rifle. However the law on using shotgun without a sgc has been discussed on here previously and I still believe it to be a bit vague based on these discussions. If you are using shotgun supplied by the land/sporting rights owner and under his supervision it is ok. That in a nutshell is how I see it but others have added other interpretations and I am sure your post will generate other opinions. I personally have not seen a definitive answer to this question and would welcome one as you do. I don’t own an air rifle any more so my only option is a shotgun. I’ve shot there before and the neighbours were appreciative of my informing them, they said they were not fazed by the noise. It’s a small village were a few people shoot around the area on local golf courses and farms. The only advantage to this is people are exposed to shooting/field sports more so than normal and won’t see me as alarming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cake444 Posted December 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 (edited) As far as I am aware the law is : You may only lend a shotgun to someone without a certificate if you are with that person, on land of which you are legally the occupier. Which I take to be that the land owner or tennant may lend a shotgun to a non certificate holder if they were shooting with them , as it seems you are not the land owner then I think it would be unlawful for you to lend your mate a shotgun. Ok so one gun and me using it if i do go down. Edited December 8, 2011 by Cake444 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Good shot? Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 Ok so one gun and me using it if i do go down. To act within the law for sure "yes" But as Piebob says ask FEO for his ruling, you have only something to be gained and nothing to loose. Good luck and I think you are doing the right thing to make sure of the legality because of the vagaries of the rule. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 The authorities seem to love keeping these grey areas grey and them putting out conflicting information at different times doesn't help us. But its a case of divide and rule Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huffhuff Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 Whilst you are there, you could ring the local police and get yourself down on the log so if anybody does ring in and complain - they know it is likely to be you and won't send in the big guns! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cake444 Posted December 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 Whilst you are there, you could ring the local police and get yourself down on the log so if anybody does ring in and complain - they know it is likely to be you and won't send in the big guns! Thanks, I’ve been online trying to find the local station in relation to where I am. I may give them a call and inform them that I will be there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cake444 Posted December 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 Well I called my FEO to ask about the legality of my friend using one of my shotguns and he said NO. So that answers that question, the FEO almost seemed a bit annoyed with me for asking, I felt slightly embarrassed. I mentioned that I was sure that was the case from what I had read but wanted to confirm as there were a few gray areas. At least I have a fully fledged torch boy for the day hahaha I also called the local police station and informed them to which they were appreciative. All in all it’s all legit and sorted but still I’m not completely comfortable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 Well I called my FEO to ask about the legality of my friend using one of my shotguns and he said NO. So that answers that question, the FEO almost seemed a bit annoyed with me for asking, I felt slightly embarrassed. I mentioned that I was sure that was the case from what I had read but wanted to confirm as there were a few gray areas. At least I have a fully fledged torch boy for the day hahaha I also called the local police station and informed them to which they were appreciative. All in all it’s all legit and sorted but still I’m not completely comfortable. Hi, Can fully appreciate your embarressment, it's just a shame that you didn't ask under what conditions your mate would be allowed and see what he said. Thinking about it though, it may not have been a good idea, the last thing anyone wants is a FEO remembering one's name for all the wrong reasons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cake444 Posted December 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 Hi, Can fully appreciate your embarressment, it's just a shame that you didn't ask under what conditions your mate would be allowed and see what he said. Thinking about it though, it may not have been a good idea, the last thing anyone wants is a FEO remembering one's name for all the wrong reasons. I know, I wish I had never of called. I did say to him I thought that to be the case but wanted to check. Better I ask than just willy nilly go about things in the wrong way, just hope he sees it like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 If its a rabbit clearance job for the farmer why not just put a post up on here asking someone to come and spend a day ferreting them for you , I am sure you would have some takers and it would be miles less hassle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cake444 Posted December 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 If its a rabbit clearance job for the farmer why not just put a post up on here asking someone to come and spend a day ferreting them for you , I am sure you would have some takers and it would be miles less hassle. That’s a good suggestion. I will ask the land owner when I see him. It may well be something for the future, I’m just reluctant at present as he is one of my friend’s bosses, hence why I’m heading down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulpicide Posted December 9, 2011 Report Share Posted December 9, 2011 The ferret suggestion is the best option and you will have clean rabbits for sale or food I hope you have insurance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cake444 Posted December 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 12, 2011 All went well with no issues. Had five rabbits in total, not a large bag but it’s a small patch of land. The first rabbit I shot was huge, it looked a bit like general woundwort off of Watership Down. Had a night sight mounted on the shotgun as well, was good fun. May call upon some ferreters at some stage! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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