aris Posted April 2, 2013 Report Share Posted April 2, 2013 I had a look at the guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/117794/security_leaflet.pdf It seems there are 3 levels of security - but has anyone been told they need to put an Alarm in addition to the gun safe? What constitutes a 'substantial' number of firearms? If you have a large safe, but intend on only keeping a small number (maybe 1 or 2) firearms, do they deem that you potentially could have a substantial number of firearms and then require you to beef up home security? Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sc0tt Posted April 2, 2013 Report Share Posted April 2, 2013 For some strange reason the number 7 rings a bell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted April 2, 2013 Report Share Posted April 2, 2013 it depends on risk, some have to install an alarm from the off. 7 is what I was told but that related to only my FAC not adding the shotguns into it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breastman Posted April 2, 2013 Report Share Posted April 2, 2013 12 is the magic number i remember reading somewhere, but i think it depends on how good of a day your FEO is having, where you live and what type of guns you're storing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted April 2, 2013 Report Share Posted April 2, 2013 I have had to have cabinet alarm fitted as I have over 6 firearms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aris Posted April 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2013 Reading the guidance though - they seem to take things like if you have locks on your windows, and the kinds of locks on your doors, and the crime rate in the area etc etc. I want to buy a large 9-shotgun safe so I can keep other non-gun stuff in it too - but if they see that as "you may have 9 guns, so we assume you will", and then I need to install a house Alarm? @CharlieT - what is a cabinet alarm - what did you have fitted? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickmep Posted April 2, 2013 Report Share Posted April 2, 2013 i was asked to fit one to each of my cabinets when they caught up with their paperwork and realised i had more than 9. just a small alarm which has door contacts to alarm each cabinet, feo was happy with these. i was told by my feo that i could have up to and including 12 shotguns and firearms in the cabinets like this, but any more and i would need a house alarm. BUT when i contacted the firearms licensing office after variation which would push it over 12 to find out exactly what type of house alarm was required they decided i didnt need one at all. I think its all down to your feo's understanding of the guidance, and where each category of risk finishes and the next one starts. As has been said it doesnt appear to be just a numbers game, your area, general house security etc also has a bearing on it. the only real way of finding out is speaking to your feo and/or licensing department. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aris Posted April 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2013 Ok - it sounds like i'll be OK with a large cabinet, but few firearms. Thanks all for the replies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parapilot Posted April 2, 2013 Report Share Posted April 2, 2013 Everyone should have an alarm anyway. For what they cost are a great deterrent with or without guns. I wouldn't be able to rest without mine. Although it is over the top lol but that's my job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted April 2, 2013 Report Share Posted April 2, 2013 There is no set number at which you require an alarm, the type of alarm is also not defined..... Alarm http://www.maplin.co.uk/garage-shed-alarm-30579 Alarm http://www.gjis.co.uk/web/lib/02_Security%20Guidelines/02_Intruder%20Alarms/01_The%20Standards%20That%20Apply.pdf Grade 3 or 4 (These are what RFD's often have) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajb403 Posted April 2, 2013 Report Share Posted April 2, 2013 Avon and Somerset require additional security measures once you have more than 5 firearms, at least that's what I was told by my FEO when I moved here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackinbox99 Posted April 2, 2013 Report Share Posted April 2, 2013 (edited) Hmmm... i can fit 10 guns in my safe although currently have 6 and the feo has never mentioned alarms. I did hear any more than 12 is when they start asking for an alarm as a condition. However, much like anything I expect its fully dependant up on region. I have looked into alarms myself, but with cats running about the house, any motion alarm is out of the window. Even "pet friendly" alarms wont work according to my local security alarm specialist. So really it would just be a load of sensors fitted to the doors & windows. Edited April 2, 2013 by jackinbox99 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ordnance Posted April 2, 2013 Report Share Posted April 2, 2013 (edited) Its not just the number of firearms also the attractiveness of the type of firearms to thieves. I have a alarm but was not told i had to have one. Edited April 2, 2013 by ordnance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mda998 Posted April 3, 2013 Report Share Posted April 3, 2013 i am a alarm engineer, for the cost of alarms now days i still cant understand why people dont secure their homes before the horse has bolted,we as a company installed 5 alarms only last month to break ins with guns involved,these seem to be the targets at the moment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted April 3, 2013 Report Share Posted April 3, 2013 (edited) I had a look at the guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/117794/security_leaflet.pdf It seems there are 3 levels of security - but has anyone been told they need to put an Alarm in addition to the gun safe? What constitutes a 'substantial' number of firearms? If you have a large safe, but intend on only keeping a small number (maybe 1 or 2) firearms, do they deem that you potentially could have a substantial number of firearms and then require you to beef up home security? Thanks, Yes, I was told to fit an alarm during the last renewal. Edited April 3, 2013 by TIGHTCHOKE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted April 3, 2013 Report Share Posted April 3, 2013 we as a company installed 5 alarms only last month to break ins with guns involved,these seem to be the targets at the moment Break where guns were used? or where the guns were the target of the burglars? Or just houses that happened to have guns in them that were broken into? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aris Posted April 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2013 Yes, I was told to fit an alarm during the last renewal. Do you have a lot of guns or in a high crime area? i am a alarm engineer, for the cost of alarms now days i still cant understand why people dont secure their homes before the horse has bolted,we as a company installed 5 alarms only last month to break ins with guns involved,these seem to be the targets at the moment Do the thieves manage to get into gun safes easily? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onefulham Posted April 3, 2013 Report Share Posted April 3, 2013 I am not a big fan of house alarms, I do not live in a particularly high crime rate area but half the houses around me have alarms, never had a burglary in living memory but the damn alarms go off, either in the middle of the night, every time we have a power cut, of which we have many, or when the damn householders are on holiday. Bloody things ! You can see I am not a fan, when they do go off everyone ignores them ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregthegreat Posted April 3, 2013 Report Share Posted April 3, 2013 Devon & Donuts, I mean Cormwall have a 6 guns or more policy for alarms. It has to be on the cabinet or on the cupboard/room that the cabinet is in. They don't kick the a*se out of it and were perfectly happy with the £16 shed alarm from B&Q that I fitted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted April 3, 2013 Report Share Posted April 3, 2013 I am not a big fan of house alarms, I do not live in a particularly high crime rate area but half the houses around me have alarms, never had a burglary in living memory but the damn alarms go off, either in the middle of the night, every time we have a power cut, of which we have many, or when the damn householders are on holiday. Bloody things ! You can see I am not a fan, when they do go off everyone ignores them ! Indeed there is a a small office building near me where the alarm regularly goes off, no one takes any notice, if they go off after after power outages its generally the back up battery is knackered which means they are not being maintained and are mostly pointless.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted April 3, 2013 Report Share Posted April 3, 2013 I have been told I must have an alarm for over 20 guns and it must be a monitored system. I currently have the ok for 10-20 with a basic alarm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aris Posted April 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2013 I somewhat agree. If I had an alarm, I would have a small siren indoors to alert the thief that he has been identified, but not disturb the neighbours. Simultaneously flash outside lights or a strobe, and send a text message to me with CCTV stills. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pastiebap Posted April 3, 2013 Report Share Posted April 3, 2013 Do the thieves manage to get into gun safes easily? I've seen a safe forced open with a peat spade and another opened with a sledgehammer. I had to break into a gun safe and got myself timed, took 3 minutes using a flat bladed screwdriver and a claw hammer. And that was a BS standard gun safe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted April 3, 2013 Report Share Posted April 3, 2013 Do you have a lot of guns or in a high crime area? Not in a high crime area! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aris Posted April 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2013 The BS gunsafe standard seems to specify at least 2mm steel. I suppose it'll deter the casual thief, but not the determined or prepared one. If you look on YouTube there are plenty of vides showing how all manner of safes are cracked open. Not in a high crime area! So a lot of guns then :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.