Gunman Posted November 7, 2015 Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 (edited) Is it time that there was a test of gun knowledge and competency should be passed before a person can buy /obtain a gun separate to the actual licence ? The reason I ask this is that I am increasingly appalled by the ignorance of some gun owners. This is not a suggestion that I make lightly but in an effort to increase understanding and safety. A good example of this is a phone call - " Do you mend guns ?" Yes what is your problem ? When I pull the trigger nothing happens OK what sort of gun is it Its a 12 bore What make dunno O/U or SxS what do you mean..... It goes on. I have been asked by a man who had just acquired an old auto from a "friend " how do you put the bullets in . As said this is not a put down but it seems there is great lack of knowledge that needs to be addressed and a basic theory and safety test would be in order covering different aspects of shooting , gun types , shooting etiquette and practice . Thoughts please . Edited November 7, 2015 by Gunman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old man Posted November 7, 2015 Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 It would perhaps be useful if it were a requirement for at least a copy of the original manufacturers instructions to be included in the sale? Not keen personally for more testing as this just further removes the personal responsibility element of ownership? More nannying? Nope? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftycarper Posted November 7, 2015 Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 (edited) Swings and roundabouts I suppose, let's just say someone gives you a brand new smartphone you've never used before and then says send me an email? Everyone has to start somewhere, my son just recently had his first sgc interview, he's been out with me before shooting etc but the some of the questions were silly like if someone handed you a a pump action or semi auto how would you know it was loaded or how would you empty it? I've never owned or shot either, most of it is common sense but everyone has to start somewhere, doesn't mean they're stupid or unfit to own a gun, safety first that's the main thing and learn as you go along, like field craft Edited November 7, 2015 by craftycarper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poontang Posted November 7, 2015 Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 (edited) As a sport I think shooting has a very good safety record. The fact that some people don't know the make of their gun or certain terminology regarding their chosen hobby is neither here nor there. If there was a sudden upsurge in gun related accidents I feel you may have a point, but until then I think we're doing ok. Edited November 7, 2015 by poontang Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftycarper Posted November 7, 2015 Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 Let's face it, we've all had a driving test and look how many numpties are out on the roads driving like idiots Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old man Posted November 7, 2015 Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 Let's face it, we've all had a driving test and look how many numpties are out on the roads driving like idiots Wish i had thought of that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winston72 Posted November 7, 2015 Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 When I had my interview from the firearms officer, one of the first questions he asked me was, " if this licence is granted ,how do I know that you wont go buy a shotgun and blow your own foot off? which i thought was a valid point Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftycarper Posted November 7, 2015 Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 When I had my interview from the firearms officer, one of the first questions he asked me was, " if this licence is granted ,how do I know that you wont go buy a shotgun and blow your own foot off? which i thought was a valid point Best to blow your own foot off than someone else's I suppose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winston72 Posted November 7, 2015 Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 not for me personally lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted November 7, 2015 Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 Wish I had been born knowing everything, but thankfully, I like most people, have the common sense to ask if I don't know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted November 7, 2015 Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 Safety is the most important factor, but you can be safe without knowing the mechanics, nomenclature or etiquette of gun ownership. My kids (10 and 12) have the supervised use of an air rifle and they've shot a 410 at clays but they know virtually nothing about guns other than the 2 golden rules that I've drummed into them; always assume a gun is loaded, and never point one at anyone. I'm happy with that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islandgun Posted November 7, 2015 Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 There are different levels of expertise at most things we all start at the bottom and hopefully learn and advance, should we pass a test at lawn mowing, operating a ladder, or the safe deployment of a hammer ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftycarper Posted November 7, 2015 Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 As I said earlier common sense and safety but it really is quite alarming just how many people have no common sense at all even for day to day tasks and life in general, it's scary. On the other hand you learn by your mistakes and let's hope it's not too big a mistake, let's face it like driving the car or whatever it is how many times have you made that error of judgement and your heart is in your mouth for that split second and you suddenly feel sick only for it to pass and you then thank your lucky stars that everything was OK, you moved on, learnt from it and it never happened again... Hopefully. Some people just don't learn....we shall refer to them as say the Frank Spencers of the world.....younger folk might have to google that one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ordnance Posted November 7, 2015 Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 When I had my interview from the firearms officer, one of the first questions he asked me was, " if this licence is granted ,how do I know that you wont go buy a shotgun and blow your own foot off? which i thought was a valid point That sounds like a stupit question, a bit like a car dealer asking if i sell you a car how do i know you are not going to crash it. The answer is you doint know some police that are supost to be well trained still mannage to have n/ds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
796 Posted November 7, 2015 Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 I have had a Latvian lad working with me this season and he was saying there is a test in Latvia for gun owner ship before and ticket is issued with lots of case study's to read through he reckons it's harder to get a gun license than any thing else out there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad Monkey Posted November 7, 2015 Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 When I had my interview from the firearms officer, one of the first questions he asked me was, " if this licence is granted ,how do I know that you wont go buy a shotgun and blow your own foot off? which i thought was a valid point What was your answer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big bad lindz Posted November 8, 2015 Report Share Posted November 8, 2015 Playing devils advocate here, maybe the person on the other end of the phone or the friend of a friend are in possession of an illegal weapon, therefore it is obvious from the conversations that they haven't a clue about shotguns. I was, and I am sure others were a little naïve when we first started shooting if you were not brought up with guns in the family and had to ask silly questions but I did do a little reading on the subject. Indecently my wife still calls cartridges bullets especially if I leave the odd one lying about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted November 8, 2015 Report Share Posted November 8, 2015 It would perhaps be useful if it were a requirement for at least a copy of the original manufacturers instructions to be included in the sale? Not keen personally for more testing as this just further removes the personal responsibility element of ownership? More nannying? Nope? You would still have to hope that they would read them! Let's face it, we've all had a driving test and look how many numpties are out on the roads driving like idiots A VERY valid point! There are different levels of expertise at most things we all start at the bottom and hopefully learn and advance, should we pass a test at lawn mowing, operating a ladder, or the safe deployment of a hammer ? Yes, in many cases that may well be a very good idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muffin Posted November 8, 2015 Report Share Posted November 8, 2015 I would not encourage the powers that be to look into shooting As stated we do have compulsory testing for drivers and see what that does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crowdie2013 Posted November 8, 2015 Report Share Posted November 8, 2015 Wish I had been born knowing everything, but thankfully, I like most people, have the common sense to ask if I don't know. My thoughts exactly- the guys on my shoot are from all walks of life and of varied experience but the great thing is that everyones happy to pass on skills/advice and like anything you only learn with experience and asking. Don't think theres a need for any separate test Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAB1954 Posted November 8, 2015 Report Share Posted November 8, 2015 NO to the ops suggestion. There are enough hoops to jump through to get certificates already, a further test would just reduce the number of new people coming into the sport. Our safety record speaks for itself, maybe the op is in the wrong job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WinchesterDave Posted November 8, 2015 Report Share Posted November 8, 2015 As long as the knowledge of gun safety is evident at the time of home visit prior to approval; I think that I fine. Mechanical knowledge, etiquette etc will come with time and experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver fox 1 Posted November 8, 2015 Report Share Posted November 8, 2015 How do you know who you're talking to on the phone anyway ? I would've thought the chap Who he bought the gun off Would have run through how it all worked with him after all it was his mate i've taken a few of my mates shooting over the years who have never shot a gun before "Always start by showing them the gun safety first and then how to load and shoot the gun that's how I started don't agree with any more tests we have enough hopes to jump through already without making things worse regards sf1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liamey Posted November 8, 2015 Report Share Posted November 8, 2015 To be honest I don't think its a bad idea at all. Before they let you loose in Canada and able to buy a non restricted rifle you have to do a day of firearm education with a multiple choice exam at the end, and pass. This course takes you through from everything pertaining to safety, knowing the different types of action and calibre of a given rifle etc. should someone wish to hunt, then there is a mandatory hunters education that again takes a day where you go through ethics, shot placement, identification, survival etc. both courses normally run back to back over a weekend. Should you wish to apply for a restricted firearm, normally a handgun etc. then there is a day course on that as well. At the end of the day it ensures everyone with a firearm in the woods hunting at least has a basic competency withe firearms and shouldn't make an unsafe shot. There will always be an idiot that seems to have forgotten the rules but these are dealt fast and harsh through the court system, as there is hardly any defence to anything done improperly with a firearm as almost everything has been covered in the safe handling of them in the courses etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ordnance Posted November 8, 2015 Report Share Posted November 8, 2015 Should you wish to apply for a restricted firearm, normally a handgun etc. then there is a day course on that as well. You doint need any training here for a handgun for the range or protection, and there have not being any problems so i see no need to change it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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