fergie Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 Well I put my SGC in for renewal in December as it ran out at the end of February, I have heard nothing from them since this I sent it off to them. I checked that they had taken the payment which they had. I ended up calling them twice towards the end of February with little response. So on Sunday i get a call while I am out stating they would come and check my cabinet in around 30 minutes if that ok if not it would ne a further couple of weeks. So I went home and within 20 minutes a marked police car turns up with to officers from the armed response unit all geared up. Complete with vests tazzers and pistols etc. These two officers where nice as pie my told my 4 year old they had come to check here bedroom was tidy which they played along with lol. Thing is I live in a dead-end close so all the old people in the road now either know I have guns or think I’m some kind of nut case. I understand they are strapped for man power etc but a little overkill I thought Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cockercas Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 Was he called john? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrispti Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 If theyve go on duty officers sat about, why not use them....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scolopax Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 Same for me when they checked my cabinet, a couple of Robocops turned up. All okay though and I did not have a problem with that, they did say if they got a call they would have to depart sharpish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebarrels Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 If theyve go on duty officers sat about, why not use them....... +1 BB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebarrels Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 +1 I don't mind them checking my cabinet if it means my ticket gets processed quicker I waited 7 months last renewal,seems some forces use common sense BB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 or do what herts do assume your cabinet hasn't worked loose and just do phone interviews for most people on renewal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 Although without the arms, this happened to me in Norwich many years back - they even blipped the siren on the marked car to ensure everyone was aware - again it was a cul-de-sac. Waste of time though as it was an RAF married quarters patch and everyone knew everyone. They'd supposedly come to check my security for my 22 - 250 even though the stated location for it's storage was the Station Armoury at RAF Somewhereorother. We all know what they're playing at so it's all a bit pointless. Now I can't remember which was the year of the act in question, but this little strategy was in - again I've forgotten the exact title - the Chief Constables' guide to the application of the 19?? Firearms Act. We'd read it as one of the lads had ordered a copy of the act itself from HMSO and they'd inadvertently sent this volume. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fergie Posted March 12, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 Dont get me wrong I didn't mind realy But when I lived in kent while serving in the army they just send a flo in plain cloths, I always feel like I have done somthing wrong when uniformed officers turn up even though I know I havent, daft I know but hey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunnerbob Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 Would seem a little intimidating to say the least, notwithstanding it blows the low profile of a gun owner aswell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirty Harry Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 Man up for f#*k sake. They are only people in uniform. You don't need to be frightened and if your neighbours ask tell them its none of their business. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fergie Posted March 12, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 I never said I was frightened of them?? just said I always feel like I had done something wrong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
secretagentmole Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 (edited) Deleted! He might not want people to know of his location in the dark past in Norfolk! Edited March 12, 2013 by secretagentmole Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiderdude Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 Get a grip... "Robocop", "intimidating", "we all now what they are playing at"; they are just police officers doing their job. So they are kitted up, so what? They are available to check all is ok for renewal, get used to officers dressed this way. There are less and less out there and they are doing more and more different duties not previously assigned to them thanks to Camoron and his agenda. At the end of the day they are doing what they've been told to do and how they look is unimportant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 I'm with BB and Chrispti if they are Doing nothing use them it save tax payers money if it gets me my ticket quicker even better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artschool Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 just said I always feel like I had done something wrong ello ello ello. why is that then sir? something you'd like to tell us? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloke Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 Here in Lincs they are all plain clothed retired police officers, I think mine said he was superintendant in firearms in some way - nice guy. Over the border (about 500 yards) the humberside firearms dept send uniformed - I think they are from Hull, maybe the same as the East Yorkshire lads. He don't care, gives the old biddys nearby a good reason to twitch the curtains. If they get really nosey, he just tells the ones who need to know something (i.e. the ones who keep an eye on the property if he goes on holiday) that the police were there to get a statement, not completely untrue! As it's only once every five years they have forgotten when it next comes round. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salop Matt Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 Am torn here because if I saw armed police turn up and go into my neibours street then I to would be supissious of the individual ! I know its wrongly making assumptions etc but still thats what I would think and feel. And i wouldnt want folk thinking that of me either ! How ever I welcome any sensible moves they make to save money if it works effectively. My second concern is: What new training have they received for there new role and resposibilities ? Are they familiar with all the different cals, there usage and there capabilities? Also what training have they on the fitting/ installations and standards of whats acceptable? I work every day with armed police and i wouldnt trust them with any of my rifles down to air rifles.... Last year one was suspended for tazaring himself by accident! There muzzel awearness was none extistant, there weapon safty was poor, there personal whepon knowledge was poor and the training they recive is poor and they get no teaching or familiariseation of other firearms they may encounter for making them safe etc! Prefer someone in plain cloths also. ATB Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Medic1281 Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 So what job do you do Matt that brings you into contact with the armed bobbies of shropshire every day? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiderdude Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 I work every day with armed police and i wouldnt trust them with any of my rifles down to air rifles.... Last year one was suspended for tazaring himself by accident! There muzzel awearness was none extistant, there weapon safty was poor, there personal whepon knowledge was poor and the training they recive is poor and they get no teaching or familiariseation of other firearms they may encounter for making them safe etc! Well I would suggest that you write to you PCC and express your concerns before an accident occurs and some poor so 'n so gets badly hurt or worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joecash Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 the ordinary plod in whatever guise is just that an ordinary plod they just do as they are told it makes you wonder about the way they are managed though i was under the impression that plod visits in respect of firearm licensing, initial or renewal should be kept as low key as possible - I thought part of the licensing process was to stop the criminal fraternity finding out where guns are located. The examples of plod activity quoted here hardly contribute to public safety wrt firearms - quite the opposite in fact Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artschool Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 So what job do you do Matt that brings you into contact with the armed bobbies of shropshire every day? he owns a branch of dunkin donuts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloke Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 Am torn here because if I saw armed police turn up and go into my neibours street then I to would be supissious of the individual ! I know its wrongly making assumptions etc but still thats what I would think and feel. And i wouldnt want folk thinking that of me either ! However I welcome any sensible moves they make to save money if it works effectively. What new training have they received for there new role and resposibilities ? Are they familiar with all the different cals, there usage and there capabilities? Also what training have they on the fitting/ installations and standards of whats acceptable? Matt I think as long as they entered the house without a Big Red Key, I wouldn't be worried. As for what people think - well, the ones that know me would know why, and the ones that don't know me don't matter, really. I must admit, the training and awareness thing seems a bit patchy. I have been a referee for 2 friends in Humberside for their SGC and on both occasions, the police have rung me about 1/2 an hour before they visit to check that I knew what I had signed and was I aware of the implications? When I pointed out that I was both an SGC and FAC holder, they seemed suprised (some checking on MY background! ) and they then rang my mate to tell him they were coming - 3p.m. on a Saturday afternoon, no previous warning! These were also full uniformed officers, a PC and a PCSO, they had a quick chat, no real questions about him, just what guns have you applied for, are you aware of the safety issues etc, then got up to go. My mate asked them if they wanted to see the cabinet (first SGC application) and the response was "Do we need to?". when they saw it, they basically said "we don't know really what we are looking for, but that seems ok". Total time, about ten minutes. One part of me says that if the police units are just waiting on call 'in case' it is a good use of their free time to do things such as these checks, but surely a basing training in the regs would have been a good idea- it ain't rocket science. Pigged me off, with my FEO's 40 minutes of questioning and swinging on the cabinet at the first SGC visit, mind you, now he just sups a lake of tea and eats a pack of biccys (Doesn't like Hobnobs - strange! :yp: ) before chatting about his hols. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 Am torn here because if I saw armed police turn up and go into my neibours street then I to would be supissious of the individual ! I know its wrongly making assumptions etc but still thats what I would think and feel. And i wouldnt want folk thinking that of me either ! Matt "We all know what they're playing at." Back then, that was the objective - in effect, an attempt to persuade you that you didn't really want an SGC/FAC without appearing to do so. By virtue of the fact that the police have yet to adopt one common policy or procedure throughout the UK, one could be forgiven for thinking that nothing had changed. Don't forget, this situation can only exist with 'the nod' from the Home Office. It will be interesting to see if the BASC system regarding the simplified application, if introduced, remains common throughout all 40 odd constabularies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaun4860 Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 If the neighbours think you are a bit of nutter then it works to your advantage, ie: wont bother you with neighbourhood disputes and the like...lol when they left you should have ran into the street yelling "which one of you **** grassed me up" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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