fieldwanderer Posted July 14, 2013 Report Share Posted July 14, 2013 10 years or so ago, I went to my permission to lamp some bunnies - the girlfriend at the time had said she didn't mind me going alone but when I got there she called to say she'd join me so, I got my foot down and headed for her house and got myself done for speeding! not knowing any better, I just made a point of locking my car when the officer wanted me to join him in his car (my rifle was in there and out of sight). Tonight, I went to a permission where there's a short driveway to the gate, flytippers love that driveway and, on arrival, I found a van and two cars lots of people and a police car so I swung back out onto the road and carried on. I stopped in the gateway to another field I've permission to shoot on, just around the corner and sat for a few minutes deciding what to do next. The police car went past and after a while I went back to where I started - the cars and people were still there so I kept going and headed for home. In the mean time, the police car caught up with me and I fully expected the blue lights to come on - they didn't. But it set me thinking; what are we supposed to do if the police stop us (for whatever reason) and we have a firearm/shotgun in the vehicle? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Mongrel- Posted July 14, 2013 Report Share Posted July 14, 2013 Secure the vehicle, make them aware that it's there. I wouldn't do anything else, it's not like you were illegally carrying it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxy bingo Posted July 14, 2013 Report Share Posted July 14, 2013 so long as its registered to you and you have permission to be where you are shooting no problem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozzy518 Posted July 14, 2013 Report Share Posted July 14, 2013 Mate , Its happened to me a few times, but nothing to worry about. I have been stopped a few times in the middle of Cambridge, in the Landy. He asked why I had come off of a farm, and I told him id been shooting. He then asked if i had got a gun in the car!!! (Bright copper , i met , don't think he is destined for CID just yet) Just told him there was and he wanted to inspect it. He was actually going to get the gun out of the truck in the middle of the crowded street!!! I questioned as to how wise that would be and suggested he take it out of the slip inside the back of the Landy seeing as there are so many people about. It was obvious to me that he had not a clue. Another occasion a couple of traffic lads stopped me late at night. I told them id been shooting, that there was a gun in the car , but they werent that fussed by it. A quick pnc check and i was on my way. So, it really depends on the type of copper you get stopped by. The first one was a young lad with attitude and not a lot else. I did let him know that too but after i told him i was also a copper of some 16 years service. The two traffic guys were ok, nice lads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EMcC Posted July 14, 2013 Report Share Posted July 14, 2013 I just speak to the normally and, unless I have a reason to tell them, I don't tell them about anything I have in the car, it is none of their business. Otherwise, where do you stop, Oh officer I have a shotgun/rifle in my car oh and sunglasses, maps, a weeks groceries, a length of rope, a penknife, a box of tissues, etc etc etc. The rifle/shotgun shouldn't be on plain view anyway, so what reason would they have to start searching your car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RED BEARD Posted July 14, 2013 Report Share Posted July 14, 2013 just tell them where your going and for what reason,and thats why you have guns in the car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
team tractor Posted July 14, 2013 Report Share Posted July 14, 2013 I was pulled for speeding a few month back with the hmr in the van . Pnc check all clear and I'd got the bolt and mag in my pocket so all good. It took 15 mins inc getting a going over for speeding then I was on my way Their only human and most see sense Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
team tractor Posted July 14, 2013 Report Share Posted July 14, 2013 Ps they didn't see the hunting knife in my door When asked about other weapons I said electric plane ,a dozen saws ,cordless ,12 chisels lol he got the hint Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fieldwanderer Posted July 14, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2013 thanks guys, so there's no official way of going about it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happypig Posted July 14, 2013 Report Share Posted July 14, 2013 Field wanderer.... Just stop.... Get out and gave a rational conversation.... If you get all James Bond, it can't do the encounter any good. When asked what you were up to . Say..... Shooting... Offer up your cert It's not rocket science Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fieldwanderer Posted July 14, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2013 To be honest, I've never bothered carrying my certificates or written permission (that's due a re-think obviously) I wouldn't try running or hiding anything as I've not done anything wrong but I did wonder if I should be requesting the police speak to me in my car rather than theirs rather than leave a licensed "weapon" unattended. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houlsby Posted July 14, 2013 Report Share Posted July 14, 2013 Stop, get out, say hello. If they stop you they have already pnc'd you generally. Tell them guns in the car. They usually leave you alone. If they ask for permission docs invite them to knock the farmer up at 4am if they want more or have attitude. Most are alrite tho. I wouldn't want any run of the mill bobby "messing" with my guns tho. Legal or not I'd be on the blower to his gaffer asking for the proper firearms coppers out and causing some serious scenes. There's absolutely no need for them to do more than 'view' what you've got. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highbird70 Posted July 14, 2013 Report Share Posted July 14, 2013 So......a normal police officer, can ask to inspect a gun on the street? I would not let him touch the shotgun/firearm, I would offer him, part of the gun at one piece at the time, but not the all gun, explaining in a very polite manner of why I wouldn't feel comfortable of him holding the all gun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobba Posted July 15, 2013 Report Share Posted July 15, 2013 To be honest, I've never bothered carrying my certificates Some may criticise my approach but I am relaxed with it. I never carry my certificate on the basis that if I lose it someone will know where I live and that I own a shotgun. In case I'm asked I carry a photocopy of my cert with the address blanked out. The photo on the guncert and it's number will allow the police to identify me if they need to. As an additional precaution I dry fire with snap caps and remove the foregrip which I store separately in the glove box. Co-operation with recognition that the police have a job to do goes a long long way to a happy outcome. Because, the police always have the upper hand should they feel unhappy with the situation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted July 15, 2013 Report Share Posted July 15, 2013 No need to tell them anything unless they ask or have reason to search your vehicle. If the motor is registered to you and they checked before they pulled you, you should come up as a FAC/SGC holder on the PNC, so they may just ask. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Full Pelt Posted July 15, 2013 Report Share Posted July 15, 2013 thanks guys, so there's no official way of going about it? If it bothers you you can always let them know you're going shooting before you go. Call 101, ask for the Control Room, explain what you're doing and ask for a CAD number, be prepared to answer a few questions. It doesn't suit everyone but for me it's just SOP if I'm doing deer management in a peri-urban neighbourhood ; it just saves a lot of hassle if a stray dog walker calls them to report a guy dressed in a hi-viz orange boiler suit sitting up in a tree on a neighbouring property armed with a 'sniper rifle'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted July 15, 2013 Report Share Posted July 15, 2013 So......a normal police officer, can ask to inspect a gun on the street? I would not let him touch the shotgun/firearm, I would offer him, part of the gun at one piece at the time, but not the all gun, explaining in a very polite manner of why I wouldn't feel comfortable of him holding the all gun. A police officer has every right to demand to see and inspect your gun and seize it if he sees fit !!. Why would you not feel comfortable in permitting him to carry out his lawful duty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twistedsanity Posted July 15, 2013 Report Share Posted July 15, 2013 I always carry my cert when I have my guns in the car, if questioned I would ask the dibble to check my cert before checking the guns, probably won't want to get them out after seeing I have the correct paperwork in hand , can't see why anyone would refuse to let them examine the gun though that's just asking for unnesacery grief , I want to know that they are not flippant in any way where firearms are concerned Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bostonmick Posted July 15, 2013 Report Share Posted July 15, 2013 I have always found the police to be fine if you give attitude then you will get a rough ride but just be polite and answer their questions,you will have ample time to tell them if you have a gun in the car as they will ask where you have been and where you are going,the safest way ids to drive within the law then you will give no cause to be stopped. simples Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houlsby Posted July 15, 2013 Report Share Posted July 15, 2013 I wouldn't want them near my guns as 90% of coppers Iv met are morons who don't know the laws they are attempting to enforce! Nevermind 'messing' with my 'sniper rifles'!! Seriously tho, I really wouldn't want anyone touching my guns unless there experienced. Not interested in if its a copper or not. If a copper wants more than to check my ticket or look at a gun bag he gets on blower for a mister to come out. A police officer has every right to demand to see and inspect your gun and seize it if he sees fit !!. Why would you not feel comfortable in permitting him to carry out his lawful duty. I always carry my cert when I have my guns in the car, if questioned I would ask the dibble to check my cert before checking the guns, probably won't want to get them out after seeing I have the correct paperwork in hand , can't see why anyone would refuse to let them examine the gun though that's just asking for unnesacery grief , I want to know that they are not flippant in any way where firearms are concerned Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the pigeon man Posted July 15, 2013 Report Share Posted July 15, 2013 A police officer has every right to demand to see and inspect your gun and seize it if he sees fit !!. Why would you not feel comfortable in permitting him to carry out his lawful duty. Have you seen how young some of these coppers are these days ?? Most proberly never seen a gun before Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highseas Posted July 15, 2013 Report Share Posted July 15, 2013 i got stoped on friday night at about midnight by sellafield police beacause i drive a small van and prowl around the back roads at silly oclock in the morning i get pulled all the time, well this time i had a freind of my mums in ( yes she is 43 yes she is very attractive no mung i wont put a picture up) and got pulled after the tire check and the name and adress noted they asked were i was going with kneepads on at this time of night lamping i said the copper flashed the light on my passenger and says "ohh right" and laughed lol then asked if he could look in the back, so i opened the back doors and i dont think he was ready for it lol i showed him both rifles and away he went. it turns out he went to school with the farmer i was shooting for Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentalmac Posted July 15, 2013 Report Share Posted July 15, 2013 If it bothers you you can always let them know you're going shooting before you go. Call 101, ask for the Control Room, explain what you're doing and ask for a CAD number, be prepared to answer a few questions. It doesn't suit everyone but for me it's just SOP if I'm doing deer management in a peri-urban neighbourhood ; it just saves a lot of hassle if a stray dog walker calls them to report a guy dressed in a hi-viz orange boiler suit sitting up in a tree on a neighbouring property armed with a 'sniper rifle'. I do this on my bluetooth phone car thingy on the way to my permission if I'm doing dawn shooting with my HMR. Only because It's boring driving anyway so always like a chat, and it's far easier than having plod out going through all my stuff again like last time a dog walker phoned it in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EMcC Posted July 15, 2013 Report Share Posted July 15, 2013 A police officer has every right to demand to see and inspect your gun and seize it if he sees fit !!. Why would you not feel comfortable in permitting him to carry out his lawful duty. Only if he has reasonable grounds to suspect that you are carrying one If it is out of sight and you don't tell him what grounds would he have to search your vehicle ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sian Posted July 15, 2013 Report Share Posted July 15, 2013 A police officer has every right to demand to see and inspect your gun and seize it if he sees fit !!. Why would you not feel comfortable in permitting him to carry out his lawful duty. I am curious - surely same rules apply for them in that they should have a firearms licence to be able to inspect and seize a gun. What makes them so special that they do not have to abide by the law - surely a firearms officer would have to be called if they were to remove the gun? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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