rws-89 Posted October 5, 2013 Report Share Posted October 5, 2013 (edited) my 19 year old lad set off at 6.30 pm tonight to shoot some rabbits on some land where we both have written permission he got to corner of street were he was stopped by 2 plods in a car who took his shotgun out of bag in the street and told him they were taking it ,he would get it back tomorrow in he had a licence ,then two more plods turned up with a blackberry phone and checked him out to find out he got fac and shotgun cert ,they sent him home & have told him he has to be driven to the land in future as you cant walk the streets with a shotgun in a bag .has the law changed and i have missed it. Edited October 5, 2013 by rws-89 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parapilot Posted October 5, 2013 Report Share Posted October 5, 2013 I think an official complaint is in order..... As long as it's covered should not be an issue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted October 5, 2013 Report Share Posted October 5, 2013 You most certainly have not missed any change in the law. A well worded letter to your Chief Constable seems in order. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imperfection Posted October 5, 2013 Report Share Posted October 5, 2013 Am keen to learn the outcome of this and how much humble pie the officers will have to eat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy H Posted October 5, 2013 Report Share Posted October 5, 2013 Well out of order ,Get typing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sprackles Posted October 5, 2013 Report Share Posted October 5, 2013 Get on to your shooting organisation if you are a member. As long as its covered and unloaded he is fine......just a thought...how old is he. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fruity Posted October 5, 2013 Report Share Posted October 5, 2013 Your lad has done nothing wrong Just goes to show how some police are scarily untrained/educated when I concerns basic firearm law Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted October 5, 2013 Report Share Posted October 5, 2013 as long as its in a gun slip you are ok.they had no right to take it off him, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sprackles Posted October 5, 2013 Report Share Posted October 5, 2013 From the firearms act...ref young persons. Persons under the age of fifteen7.5 Under section 22(3) of the 1968 Act it isan offence for any person under the age offifteen to have an assembled shot gun withthem unless:a) they are either under the supervision of aperson aged twenty-one or over; orb) the gun is so covered with a securelyfastened gun cover that it cannot be fired. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rws-89 Posted October 5, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2013 Get on to your shooting organisation if you are a member. As long as its covered and unloaded he is fine......just a thought...how old is he. 19 years old Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted October 5, 2013 Report Share Posted October 5, 2013 Get on to your shooting organisation if you are a member. As long as its covered and unloaded he is fine......just a thought...how old is he. Where does the law say it has to be covered ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntsman Posted October 5, 2013 Report Share Posted October 5, 2013 Did the policman have a shotgun licence to handle and tke posession of the firearm ? I am under the impression the young fella was legal to have in his posession the firearm and has done no wrong I would get hold of the Inspector tonight and let him know he has no right to take posession of a legally held firearm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welsh1 Posted October 5, 2013 Report Share Posted October 5, 2013 Did the policman have a shotgun licence to handle and tke posession of the firearm ? I am under the impression the young fella was legal to have in his posession the firearm and has done no wrong I would get hold of the Inspector tonight and let him know he has no right to take posession of a legally held firearm The pc does not need a licence to take a rifle or shotgun,but he does need lawful reason,and from what the op has said the pc has acted wrongly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted October 5, 2013 Report Share Posted October 5, 2013 Did the policman have a shotgun licence to handle and tke posession of the firearm ? I am under the impression the young fella was legal to have in his posession the firearm and has done no wrong I would get hold of the Inspector tonight and let him know he has no right to take posession of a legally held firearm A police officer does not need a license to hold or take possession of a firearm Although it appears the police did not take the lads shotgun, it is perfectly in order for an officer to take a firearm off you until you can produce your certificate. where the police, in this instance, have made the mistake is to say that he can't, with lawful excuse, walk down the street with a shotgun and that it must be transported by car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aris Posted October 5, 2013 Report Share Posted October 5, 2013 My FEO told me technically, you don't need to carry your cert. A quick PNC check would confirm the SGC. He also said that while it was not illegal to walk down the road with a shotgun slip, it was unwise. Bearing in mind I live in suburbia - if you live in a more rural setting, it may not attract attention, or a concerned citizen calling the police. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
browning123 Posted October 5, 2013 Report Share Posted October 5, 2013 (edited) A police officer does not need a license to hold or take possession of a firearm Although it appears the police did not take the lads shotgun, it is perfectly in order for an officer to take a firearm off you until you can produce your certificate. where the police, in this instance, have made the mistake is to say that he can't, with lawful excuse, walk down the street with a shotgun and that it must be transported by car. I would complain to the officer in charge immediatelly - i had a similar problem when they took an air-rifle off my son and then damaged the stock throwing it in the back of their van. He was 18 years old at the time.It was returned the next morning with an apology, but I never got compensation for the damaged rifle! Edited October 5, 2013 by browning123 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted October 5, 2013 Report Share Posted October 5, 2013 Looking forward to the outcome of this one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted October 5, 2013 Report Share Posted October 5, 2013 I would complain to the officer in charge immediatelly - i had a similar problem when they took an air-rifle off my son and then damaged the stock throwing it in the back of their van. He was 18 years old at the time. It was returned the next morning with an apology, but I never got compensation for the damaged rifle! You should have got a quote for repairing the damage and submitted it to the Chief Constable,and not let the matter drop. Figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cottonseed Posted October 5, 2013 Report Share Posted October 5, 2013 You most certainly have not missed any change in the law. A well worded letter to your Chief Constable seems in order. Seconded. Copy it to your local MP and the Chairman of the local Police Authority as well. This will put a rocket of some *****. Guaranteed, I promise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David BASC Posted October 5, 2013 Report Share Posted October 5, 2013 Section 19 of the Firearms Act 1968 makes it an offence for someone to have with them a loaded shotgun, a loaded air weapon, or any other firearm (whether loaded or not) together with ammunition suitable for use in that firearm in a public place without lawful authority or reasonable excuse (the proof whereof lies on the person). The Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 also extends the Firearms Act to include unloaded air weapons and imitation firearms. If you believe the police to have acted illegally or improperly, a complaint should be directed to the chief officer of police for the force concerned or sent to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) http://www.ipcc.gov.uk/, giving brief details and a statement of the exact complaint. If your son is a BASC member, please ask him to get in touch with me at david.ilsley@basc.org.uk David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted October 5, 2013 Report Share Posted October 5, 2013 (edited) My nephew used to cycle to work at the age of 16 with his shotgun over his shoulder in its slip, complete with the bright yellow word BERETTA on it and the logo. Was never stopped once. The coppers in the instance of this post are well out of order. What your son has done is perfectly within the law, but if he could not produce his certificate when requested then unfortunately they were fully entitled to take his shotgun as far as I'm aware. You need to get down to your local nick ASAP and get the matter resolved. Don't let your son accept any cautions as by your post he has done no wrong. Good luck. Edited October 5, 2013 by Scully Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welsh1 Posted October 5, 2013 Report Share Posted October 5, 2013 Section 19 of the Firearms Act 1968 makes it an offence for someone to have with them a loaded shotgun, a loaded air weapon, or any other firearm (whether loaded or not) together with ammunition suitable for use in that firearm in a public place without lawful authority or reasonable excuse (the proof whereof lies on the person). The Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 also extends the Firearms Act to include unloaded air weapons and imitation firearms. If you believe the police to have acted illegally or improperly, a complaint should be directed to the chief officer of police for the force concerned or sent to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) http://www.ipcc.gov.uk/, giving brief details and a statement of the exact complaint. If your son is a BASC member, please ask him to get in touch with me at david.ilsley@basc.org.uk David Just a point, the IPCC will not look at your complaint unless you have first tried to resolve it with the force concerned,the only time they will is if it is of such a serious matter that the force can no longer be trusted. You should write to the police and crime commissioner who for South Yorkshire Police is Shaun Wright,as he has overall control of that force, and is ultimately responsible for the Officers under him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sprackles Posted October 5, 2013 Report Share Posted October 5, 2013 Where does the law say it has to be covered ? That was why I asked his age and posted the quote from firearms act in previous reply. Had he been a youngster then it would have to have been covered Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
browning123 Posted October 5, 2013 Report Share Posted October 5, 2013 Seconded. Copy it to your local MP and the Chairman of the local Police Authority as well. This will put a rocket of some *****. Guaranteed, I promise. I would of now- but this was 22 years ago and I had just tragically just lost my 18 year old daughter in a road traffic accident, and could'nt do with anymore hassle at the time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopDown Posted October 5, 2013 Report Share Posted October 5, 2013 Lets not all get too carried away. Did he have his cert or not? If he did not there is nothing unlawful about the seizure. Questionable application of law perhaps. Perhaps the full facts would be useful before talk of IPCC, MP et al. 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.