Rifle Ranges/Non Cert Holders

[Dynamic85]

I've done a few searches but haven't come up with a clear answer.

 

Can I legally take a friend to a private indoor range like Calton Moor, and let them fire my rifles under my supervision?

 

I'm guessing the legal answer is no, but you'd be unlucky to get prosecuted for it, but other people have said that it's fine if it's ok with the range.

[Sm0kah]

Maybe if it was a range open day and the club notified the police on the none fac holders which was shooting. I maybe wrong

[Bloke]

I've done a few searches but haven't come up with a clear answer.

 

Can I legally take a friend to a private indoor range like Calton Moor, and let them fire my rifles under my supervision?

 

I'm guessing the legal answer is no, but you'd be unlucky to get prosecuted for it, but other people have said that it's fine if it's ok with the range.

I may be wrong, as I am just going through this myself, but here goes.... When I wanted to take up target shooting, a friend who is a member at a local range took me along and supervised me shooting (after range permission given/relevant s21 paper signed etc..) this then gives the opportunity to decide whether to apply for FAC or not, most ranges will only allow 1 or 2 'visits' before you have to be police checked and apply for membership etc. So I think the answer is yes, but check with your target club/range officials beforehand. My local police/FEO's are fully in awareness/agreement with this process, so I don't think you are liable to get any trouble. Hope this helps

Edited April 14, 2012 by Bloke

[Robin128]

Yes, if it's an Approved Club, yes if its with landlord/tenant permission else, no.

 

I think.

 

[Robin128]

SECTION 11(5) FIREARMS ACT 1968

• “A person may without holding a shot gun

certificate, borrow a shot gun from the

occupier of private premises and use it on

those premises in the occupier’s presence”

• NB. All of the criteria must be met

otherwise both parties commit offences.

Edited April 14, 2012 by Robin128

[Robin128]

Borrowing rifles – Section 16 – 1988 Firearms (Amendment) Act

As the estate rifle exemption allows those aged 17 years of age to borrow a firearm, this

age remains unchanged, however; when lending to the 17 year old age group, the lending

occupier or servant must always be 18 or over.

For borrowers who are 18 years or older, the lender may be any certificate holder aged 14

years upwards providing they are an occupier or servant of an occupier and hold a firearm

certificate for the rifle being lent under the provisions of Section 16.

[scimitar]

I beleive jonathanL off here runs a range/rifle club. He may be able to advise.

[Dynamic85]

I'm thinking a private range, rather than club ranges and does the estate rifle clause not rule out the use of my rifles as they are registered to me and have nothing to do with the 'estate'?

[Blackstone]

I believe it has something to do with what the club is authorised for as well - hence why someone without a long-barreled pistol on their FAC cannot even touch someone else's LBP, because no clubs are authorised for that weapon (as a club gun, not as a private gun). Bit hard to explain clearly, but that's British gun laws for you

[Dekers]

I'm thinking a private range, rather than club ranges and does the estate rifle clause not rule out the use of my rifles as they are registered to me and have nothing to do with the 'estate'?

 

 

It will depend on the articles of the club (their rules and insurance details), also other legal matters, to complicated to answer with a yes or no without a lot more info.

 

My Club is Home Office registered and put simply, the answer there is YES!

[JonathanL]

I beleive jonathanL off here runs a range/rifle club. He may be able to advise.

 

If you are shooting at a home office approved club then the clubs' approval makes your possession of a firearm of a type the club is aproved for (small-bore and full-bore rifles or muzzle-loading pistol) lawful whilst you are a member of the club. Clubs are not supposed to operate a system of temporary or 'day' memberships apart from being able to hold twelve guest days each year. People attending as guests are members for the day and so benefit from being lawfully in possession of the firearms derived from the club approval.

 

I agree with others that the 'estate rifle' exemption would also cover the person whilst shooting at a club as a range, even an indoor one, is still 'land' as far as the law is concerned. I'm not aware that the word is defined in the Act but I can't see any reason as to why it would be diferent from that used in general property law and a building is also 'land' for those purposes.

 

There is one other way you could do it. There is an exeption in the Act (section 11(4))relating to 'miniature' rifles used on 'miniature rifle ranges'. No one needs a certificate to shoot at or operate a miniature rifle range. It would be relatively easy to set up as all you need is a suitable piece of land or building and you don't even need a certificate or RFD to buy and own the guns or ammo.

 

J.