Dan12 Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 Good morning everyone, A Newbie here so be gentle ! I am hoping that I may be able to use the wealth of information and experience from this forum to aid me in my situation. I applied for my SGC in March of last year, everything went as planed, install gun cabinet etc, met up with FEO and by mid April I had my SGC, great. I purchased a secondhand gun as I was only initially intending using it on my own land for vermin which is approx 3-4 acres, some being woodland. We have a terrible issue with squirrels, to the point that we have had them in the roof of our property and our next door nieghbours property. I have been reasonable successful with an air rifle but it was taking up too much of my time, sitting out waiting for them. once the shotgun was purchased, it was so easy, even getting two in one shot, my nieghbour was very supportive in this as it helped them too. One day out of the blue I got an email from my neighbour saying the gun was too noisy and we needed to discuss it, I wrote back saying the noise was an unfortunate side effect of the gun but felt that it was worth it, anyhow to cut a very, very long story short I got another email saying that my abusive language and running around the with a loaded shotgun was not acceptable, well, I was gob smacked as nothing was further from the truth and I had CCTV covering my garden so thought no more of it. The next I know I have the Police around saying that there was a neighbourhood dispute and they needed my gun, I voluntarily gave my gun to them, I was told by the officer that it would only be for a few days whilst things settled down. I explained the email I got from them falsely accusing me of running around the garden going up to their fence with a loaded shotgun and invited them to view the CCTV, they weren't interested!!! they said my nieghbour had only mentioned a neighbourhood dispute so it wasn't relevant, I couldn't believe it, I could prove my innocence but they weren't interested at all. I contacted my FEO who was reluctant to talk about the issue and when asked how long my gun would be away replied 'I don't know', well the weeks went passed I emailed My FEO, no response, eventually he rang and made an appointment as part of a 'review'. He came around to my neighbours first and spent 2 hours with them, then he came to me and started reelling off a load of BS from my nieghbours saying things like ' i'd shot a squirrel on the fence between us and it fell in to their property, the truth!! I shot a squirrel on my property it ran through the fence and keeled over in their property and when I text them at the time, my nieghbour said 'just come around and get it, great job'. there were various other false allegations. I was honest in everything I told my FEO and offered for him to watch the CCTV, he declined as he was short of time, only spending 1/2 an hour with me. I decided to send him a link to youtube where I place the video (Private only) so he could see it, no response, I rang the firearms dept and spoke to the head officer she said she would look into why he has been responding. I then found out he said he couldn't view it on his system, this was some 6 weeks later, I offered to put it on a DVD, we'll let you know was the response !! again the weeks went on I rang the head of the firearms dept again, she said 'she couldn't do anything until the FEO had written his report, when asked when would that be she replied she didnt know. The whole thing was completely stressing myself and my wife out, more so my wife who wasn't that well anyway. the stress got so much for her that I decided it really wasn't worth fighting anymore and I reluctantly surrendered my licence and signed my gun over to my friend who still has it. Unfortunately I didnt get insurance so had no where to go. We recently had a Sgt around saying he was reviewing stuff and this nieghbourhood thing came up and he just wanted clarify something, my wife did, and he said 'thats fine' he has now closed the neighbourhood case as there was nothing to answer. He also said that I should contact the fiearms dept and request my licence back as they was nothing in his view as to why I should have it back. It appears that I now have to reapply as I surrendered my licence. I am sorry that I have waffled on, my question is should I re apply and if I do should I join someone like BASC first and will they help me with any issues that might arise. Many thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snow white Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 (edited) If you had been in Basc the could have help you out i would advise you to join basc. Edited January 27, 2017 by snow white Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davyo Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 (edited) It would of been a good idea to get insurance cover as soon as you got you SGC or even had it in place even if you where a airrifle user.Seems from what you state,that you didn't get a fair hearing by the FEO. This is where BASC or whoever would of stepped in. Did you not consider as Hushpower taking your neighbours into consideration? Edited January 27, 2017 by Davyo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrowningB525 Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 My worry would be that basc may be reluctant to help as the issues were when you weren't a member. Unfortunately with hindsight, they would have been a godsend during those times. Hopefully they will help you if you join. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 Dan, your title should have been WOULD Insurance Have Helped! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan12 Posted January 27, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 Hi Thanks for your comments Yes you are right I should have had insurance and it was on the agenda but when this happened no. 1 I was too late and 2 I know they wouldnt help me on a existing case. My real question is should I get my insurance before I re apply and will they help in any future issues raised, if any? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord v Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 (edited) Hi Thanks for your comments Yes you are right I should have had insurance and it was on the agenda but when this happened no. 1 I was too late and 2 I know they wouldnt help me on a existing case. My real question is should I get my insurance before I re apply and will they help in any future issues raised, if any? Yes get insurance. But be aware they may be reluctant (or refuse) to help if any issues raised during your application relate to the aforementioned dispute as they may consider this to be an existing problem. Get the Sgt. to put in writing that in his view there is nothing to stop you getting the licence back. Edited January 27, 2017 by Lord v Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spandit Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 This strikes me as a case where we haven't got the full truth/detail. Good luck and all but for it to escalate to the point where the police get involved does not bode well. What is going to stop your neighbour complaining again if you get your licence back? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 There are obviously some details missing, but if you were firing a shotgun in your garden, its not surprising that the neighbours complained. Now, if your garden is 50 acres and the nearest neighbour is 1 mile away, then I withdraw my comment. I would suggest you join the BASC now, then apply for your licence back. If you have problems in getting it, the BASC may be able to offer you advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davyo Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 Its my personal opinion that with any form of shooting,it should be compulsory to have at least liability insurance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 If Squirrels are the bane of your life then just put up a feeder with a steel backstop and pop them off with the Airgun. Meanwhile start working out how you can pee on your neighbours Strawberries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotslad Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 (edited) Must admit i'd be very annoyed with my nieghbours over this. Really not right how keen polis are too take away guns nowadays, i know someone else in similar situation, false allegations against him and despite them having independent witnesses polis aren't intrested. As someone said earlier anyone that shoots really should have some sort of 3rd party insurance, even if ur shooting with ur airgun the now u should still have insurance. Ur neighbours sound the sort of folk that could very well try some malicous claims anyway. But if u have any similar problems in future or with ur new application Basc/other org may very well class it as an existing case so migh tnot be cvered by there advice For squirrels ur best bet is to set up some cage traps, as working all the time and PTS the squirells with ur airgun. Really the only way u will get on top of them. Edited January 27, 2017 by scotslad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 if your nieghbour was ok to start with, then why did he get funny, about it, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David BASC Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 We will do all we can to help, yes it would have helped if you were a member in the first place so the fact the key incident happened before you joined will negate the legal expenses cover, never the less our firearms team will be on your side David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
remmy1100 Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 id be very peed off if that was my neighbour even more so if i didnt get licence back id feel need to get myself a gas bird scarer and place it in a appropriate spot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan12 Posted January 28, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2017 (edited) if your nieghbour was ok to start with, then why did he get funny, about it, Hi Mossy, I believe the reason was the fact that I had, with the use of traps, air rifle and shogun when appropriate to eradicate all the squirrels from their roof and help them sort out the aftermath they decided that was good enough, not realizing that the new ones that came would just do the same thing. The only thing I can hope is that they get squirrels again, I won't be forthcoming in helping next time. I know that sounds a bit childish but, I really cant believe that they would do this to me and the stress they have put me and my wife through. I can only hope that somewhere in this world there is justice. I appreciate all your comments and understand why some may think there is more to this, two sides to ever story etc ! but believe me, although from their side there has been many months of false allegations and anti social behavior, everything I have stated is true and I am sure do want to hear everything, but if you do !! Edited January 29, 2017 by Dan12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan12 Posted January 28, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2017 We will do all we can to help, yes it would have helped if you were a member in the first place so the fact the key incident happened before you joined will negate the legal expenses cover, never the less our firearms team will be on your side David Hi David Thank you for your comments, can I ask, I know legal cover will not cover me for the previous incident but will it cover me from now forward ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David BASC Posted January 28, 2017 Report Share Posted January 28, 2017 Yes it would for issues starting from after you join, but insurance can not apply retrospectively David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaymo Posted January 29, 2017 Report Share Posted January 29, 2017 (edited) Hi David Thank you for your comments, can I ask, I know legal cover will not cover me for the previous incident but will it cover me from now forward ? That's exactly what I was going to ask except to add- as this case is 'Closed' according to the Police then will any further complaints being brought by the 'Neighbour' be covered. Edited January 29, 2017 by Jaymo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David BASC Posted January 29, 2017 Report Share Posted January 29, 2017 I think it would, but as with any legal case, each case is simply judged on its legal merrit David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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