Squished Posted August 6, 2019 Report Share Posted August 6, 2019 I had just finished cleaning my rabbits and was walking back to my car, shotgun slung over one shoulder, bunnies over the other as I approached my car when a police car stopped next to me. The officer rolled down his window and greeted me and explained that he had stopped as he saw a car (mine) stopped in the entrance to a field and wanted to make sure everything was ok, but could see that all was well now. He asked how many I'd taken today, wished me a good evening and drove off. All very polite and cheerful from both sides. 10/10 encounter. But this has me wondering now, theoretically, what if he had asked me to surrender my firearm temporarily? Or had I been stopped on my way to/from my permissions and after informing an officer I have firearms in the car, they request to check them? Surely a non-firearm trained officer cannot be allowed to take control of a firearm? Handing firearms to people without a licence is surely illegal right? I have no objection to cooperating with police in their lawful investigations, after all I'm not doing anything wrong, but what should you do when stopped by police in such situations where these requests are made? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ph5172 Posted August 6, 2019 Report Share Posted August 6, 2019 (edited) You will find an officer in the course of duty will have exemption from the firearms act. Rurally a lot of officers will have basic firearms safety awareness and in all honesty most shotgun and rifles work on the same action. Anything special will be attended to by a trained firearms officer the usual protocol adopted by most would be to leave it if it’s sleeved or obviously safe or just ask you to put it down Any checking of numbers will probably involve you presenting the relevant location of the number as it’s been established that there is no threat or wrongdoing - along the same lines as having a check at home on a side note how how many people are ‘properly trained’ on a shotgun prior to purchase Edited August 6, 2019 by ph5172 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted August 6, 2019 Report Share Posted August 6, 2019 as i under stand it, if a police officer asks you to hand over your guns, you must hand them to him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squished Posted August 6, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2019 Makes sense, thanks ph! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted August 6, 2019 Report Share Posted August 6, 2019 2 minutes ago, mossy835 said: as i under stand it, if a police officer asks you to hand over your guns, you must hand them to him. But he is not likely to because he doesn't want all the paperwork, unless there is a good reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fern01 Posted August 6, 2019 Report Share Posted August 6, 2019 7 minutes ago, mossy835 said: as i under stand it, if a police officer asks you to hand over your guns, you must hand them to him. I would politely ask for a receipt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigbob Posted August 6, 2019 Report Share Posted August 6, 2019 Aye ask for a receipt and a detailed one for any cartridges naming brands and any different shot sizes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squished Posted August 6, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2019 all good advice! thanks chaps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
team tractor Posted August 6, 2019 Report Share Posted August 6, 2019 I was pulled for speeding. He asked me why my eyes were so big and if I’d taken drugs. I told him I’d been lamping and explained I was on my way home. He pnc checked me and told me to slow down . All was good even if he did pull me in the most stupid place ever. Ill add he assumed i was speeding as he was going the opposite way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ack-ack Posted August 7, 2019 Report Share Posted August 7, 2019 3 hours ago, Squished said: I had just finished cleaning my rabbits and was walking back to my car, shotgun slung over one shoulder, bunnies over the other as I approached my car when a police car stopped next to me. The officer rolled down his window and greeted me and explained that he had stopped as he saw a car (mine) stopped in the entrance to a field and wanted to make sure everything was ok, but could see that all was well now. He asked how many I'd taken today, wished me a good evening and drove off. All very polite and cheerful from both sides. 10/10 encounter. But this has me wondering now, theoretically, what if he had asked me to surrender my firearm temporarily? Or had I been stopped on my way to/from my permissions and after informing an officer I have firearms in the car, they request to check them? Surely a non-firearm trained officer cannot be allowed to take control of a firearm? Handing firearms to people without a licence is surely illegal right? I have no objection to cooperating with police in their lawful investigations, after all I'm not doing anything wrong, but what should you do when stopped by police in such situations where these requests are made? Theoretically id have told him to go forth and multiply. Unless you are causing folk alarm or distress theres no reason to surrender (assuming you have your paperwork). Chill out and enjoy your sport (Whilst you can😕) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Boggy Posted August 7, 2019 Report Share Posted August 7, 2019 If I've read your details correctly ack-ack it says that you were born in 2007. That makes you almost 12 years old I'm sure that a police officer would take most kindly to being told to 'go forth and multiply' from a 12 year old. A mistake surely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesj Posted August 7, 2019 Report Share Posted August 7, 2019 I've had contact with the police a few times when i've been carrying a gun and never have i been ask to surrender them, i was once asked if it was loaded. I sure things would have turned out differantly if i had told them to f off! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spandit Posted August 7, 2019 Report Share Posted August 7, 2019 The only time I've been faced with police whilst I was carrying a gun I happened to be shooting with my solicitor friend who has 20+ years of criminal defence experience Fortunately, he didn't need to intervene as everything was polite and above board, just some woman complaining about the noise because her dog didn't like it (a woman who lives at least 400 yards away, across 2 fields and a woodland) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mel b3 Posted August 8, 2019 Report Share Posted August 8, 2019 I've bumped into the police once or twice over the years whilst out shooting , it's never taken more than common sense and good manners to get things sorted. On one occasion, a newish police officer ( straight out of the army), spent half an hour playing with my shotgun and rimfire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted August 8, 2019 Report Share Posted August 8, 2019 i shoot near a marine camp.police have been about i have never had any trouble from them, they have been very good, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oowee Posted August 8, 2019 Report Share Posted August 8, 2019 I don't think you are even obliged to talk to them, is that right? They have no reason to suspect you have done anything so you could just ignore them. I would of course just have a normal conversation with them but I would want some proper explanation as to why before I would hand over a firearm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GingerCat Posted August 8, 2019 Report Share Posted August 8, 2019 3 hours ago, oowee said: I don't think you are even obliged to talk to them, is that right? They have no reason to suspect you have done anything so you could just ignore them. I would of course just have a normal conversation with them but I would want some proper explanation as to why before I would hand over a firearm. Depends on what way you want to situation to go. I'd suggest being polite and reasonable. Good qualities for any person to have. They have a power to inspect the gun so you have no choice in handing it over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rossco89 Posted August 8, 2019 Report Share Posted August 8, 2019 5 hours ago, oowee said: I don't think you are even obliged to talk to them, is that right? They have no reason to suspect you have done anything so you could just ignore them. I would of course just have a normal conversation with them but I would want some proper explanation as to why before I would hand over a firearm. Under the Firearms Order they have the power to stop and search you and your vehicle for firearms or ammunition, legally held or not. Refusing to speak would just add suspicion that something wasn’t right and prolong the encounter. Firearms Order also gives the Constable the power to demand the firearms certificate of any person with a firearm, and allows for the seizure of firearms until the certificate is produced. I have always found things are easily dealt with by a conversation. This in N. Ireland I may add so might be different on the mainland Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GingerCat Posted August 9, 2019 Report Share Posted August 9, 2019 Not very different really Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.C Posted August 9, 2019 Report Share Posted August 9, 2019 (edited) I was advised by my FEO that should any gun of mine be surrendered to police for any reason to take photos before handing it over. Nice shotgun chucked in the back of a van... It apparently happens. Edited August 9, 2019 by Mr.C Sausage fingers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted August 9, 2019 Report Share Posted August 9, 2019 5 minutes ago, Mr.C said: I was advised by my FEO that should any gun of mine be surrendered to police for any reason to take photos before handing it over. Nice shotgun chucked in the back of a van... It apparently happens. It certainly does happen, taking a shot or two is a good idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39TDS Posted August 9, 2019 Report Share Posted August 9, 2019 46 minutes ago, TIGHTCHOKE said: It certainly does happen, taking a shot or two is a good idea! You mean photos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted August 9, 2019 Report Share Posted August 9, 2019 1 hour ago, 39TDS said: You mean photos. Yes pictures, well spotted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panoma1 Posted August 9, 2019 Report Share Posted August 9, 2019 10 hours ago, Rossco89 said: Under the Firearms Order they have the power to stop and search you and your vehicle for firearms or ammunition, legally held or not. Refusing to speak would just add suspicion that something wasn’t right and prolong the encounter. Firearms Order also gives the Constable the power to demand the firearms certificate of any person with a firearm, and allows for the seizure of firearms until the certificate is produced. I have always found things are easily dealt with by a conversation. This in N. Ireland I may add so might be different on the mainland I believe the gun laws in NI are different to those in the rest of the uk? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oowee Posted August 9, 2019 Report Share Posted August 9, 2019 56 minutes ago, panoma1 said: I believe the gun laws in NI are different to those in the rest of the uk? I am sure they are. We do not need to carry certificates. I don't think they have the power to inspect guns without some reason? i may well be wrong do we have any one with insider knowledge 🙂 ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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