The PH Gun Cabinet - Shooting Matters

[Halb]

Bill said:

You may be right, but the start of shooting season has reminded just how loud it can be. The guns were probably across a field but it sounded like they were by the front door. It has made one of the kids cry in the past - although a bit of warning would have helped rather than just letting rip 30 yards from the house.

Are they not allowed to fire guns that close to a residence?

[Pesty]

MKnight702 said:

Does anyone else here shoot black powder revolvers?

Just wondering whether anyone had a view on the use of a filler to bring the ball up to the mouth of the chamber, currently I use semolina in my Colt Walker but as I want to make paper cartridges it would be simpler not to use a filler.

I am also shooting Johnston & Dow conicals, but I think that they are eating my wedge so I am going to revert to balls for the short term until I can make a new wedge from something that doesn't resemble cheese.

Ruger old army.
I don’t use filler plenty use porridge I use wonder wad things

[Bill]

Halb said:

Are they not allowed to fire guns that close to a residence?

I can't remember the exact rules but iirc you're not allowed to fire within 15ft of the middle of a highway.

I'm not bothered generally, but we were out in the garden and the surprise upset one of the kids. The only issue I've had was watching someone running down the lane outside the house with a shotgun at high port, so I went and had a word.

[andyb28]

Hi Everyone,

This week, my local FO is dropping in for a spot check. I haven't seen one since my initial application and just wanted to be sure I have everything in order.

Guns are in the locked gun cabinet, keys are kept in a key safe which I am happy to share the combination with the officer to have on record.
Cartridges aren't locked up, I have them in my garage. Which I am sure I was told was ok by the other FO.

Anything else I should be considering?

Thanks
Andy

[aeropilot]

andyb28 said:

Cartridges aren't locked up, I have them in my garage. Which I am sure I was told was ok by the other FO.

Depending on how warm/dry your garage is, its not the best place to keep them.

[andyb28]

aeropilot said:

andyb28 said:

Cartridges aren't locked up, I have them in my garage. Which I am sure I was told was ok by the other FO.

Depending on how warm/dry your garage is, its not the best place to keep them.

Point taken, it's not cold or damp in my garage.

[red_slr]

andyb28 said:

Guns are in the locked gun cabinet, keys are kept in a key safe which I am happy to share the combination with the officer to have on record.

NO NO NO!

NEVER *EVER* GIVE ANYONE ACCESS TO YOUR KEYS.

Never disclose the location. Ever.

[andyb28]

red_slr said:

NO NO NO!

NEVER *EVER* GIVE ANYONE ACCESS TO YOUR KEYS.

Never disclose the location. Ever.

Oh, they were saying that they were keeping a key combination register in case something were to happen to me. My wife obviously doesn't have the key safe code.

[red_slr]

You got to be joking me?
Which force is this?

You need to politely tell them that the keys are kept in a secure place that only you know about.
If they want more details they are going to have to change the law...

Rule 1 is keep your keys safe and secure in a place only you know about. If the police need to get into your cab then they will, its just going to make a mess. If you are on your death bed then arrangements will be made with an RFD which is a different situation of course.

But during the course of normal firearms ownership you should never ever allow anyone access or the ability to access your firearms even the police as they have no exemptions what so ever to access your firearms without warrant.

You need to read the regulations!

If you are a member on Full Bore I would get on there and ask for advice asap before the visit....

[aeropilot]

andyb28 said:

red_slr said:

NO NO NO!

NEVER *EVER* GIVE ANYONE ACCESS TO YOUR KEYS.

Never disclose the location. Ever.

Oh, they were saying that they were keeping a key combination register in case something were to happen to me. My wife obviously doesn't have the key safe code.

That's crap.
Plod make it very clear that as red said above, Never ever let anyone else access to the keys.
You should make sure you have left instructions for your missus as to what to do if anything happens to you.
Details of your RFD and they will (or should do) arrange to come with a locksmith and collect guns to remove for your missus.
No need for Plod to be involved, and you can tell them when they visit that you have left instructions with her what to do in case anything happens to you.
RFD can then sell your guns on her behalf etc.

[andyb28]

Many thanks, I am glad I asked.

[red_slr]

Out of interest how did this "spot check" come about??

Did they ring you? If so when? Who? In writing?

Is it your normal FEO?

[Ziplobb]

andyb28 said:

Hi Everyone,

This week, my local FO is dropping in for a spot check. I haven't seen one since my initial application and just wanted to be sure I have everything in order.

Guns are in the locked gun cabinet, keys are kept in a key safe which I am happy to share the combination with the officer to have on record.
Cartridges aren't locked up, I have them in my garage. Which I am sure I was told was ok by the other FO.

Anything else I should be considering?

Thanks
Andy

dont ever share location of keys etc sounds like they are trying to catch you out - and 'spot check' whats that all about ?

[red_slr]

What I am saying is are you sure this is legit?

[andyb28]

red_slr said:

What I am saying is are you sure this is legit?

It was just something the original FO said they were working on when he visited prior to me getting my licence. It was legit as he was the one that Ok'd my application.

The spot check is a different guy which was triggered from gun purchases and that they haven't seen me since I installed my cabinet. I live in Essex.

[red_slr]

Well if it were me I would be moving my keys to another location and then not telling them where that new location is.

Are you a member of BASC?

[andyb28]

red_slr said:

Well if it were me I would be moving my keys to another location and then not telling them where that new location is.

Are you a member of BASC?

I apologise, perhaps I explained something badly. Let me have another go at this.

Last year, I applied for my licence and the FO came to visit to go through my application form with me. We spoke about where was the best place to put my cabinet along with all the other general questions they had. He was very helpful. During the visit, he suggested getting a key safe, because that way, no other family members could find the keys and open the gun safe. This seemed logical to me.
He also said (i think) that it can cause problems if something happens to the gun owner and no one official can get to the keys. I am sure he said that I can give them the pin code to file at the Firearms office to get in the key safe. But I was very new to all of this and maybe I misheard.

My earlier post was in relation to me thinking that this was normal. I realise it isn't so either I misunderstood the FO, or Essex are planning some new service, which by the sounds of it wont be participating in. No one knows where my keys are or how to get into the key safe.

The visit coming up, is legit. They mentioned an email I had recently sent them about a new gun I purchased. He also mentioned that they haven't been back to see my gunsafe. I did think a lot of trust was placed on me. From the original visit, where they said put the gunsafe here, I have purchased 3 guns with no one checking up on me.

I am a member of BASC and have also checked the name of the FO coming on the Essex website.

Sorry, I think that by summarising as much as I did, I caused alarm and I do appreciate you all looking out for me.

[red_slr]

If they ask for your key safe combination just politely decline and if they get shirty in any way tell them you are calling BASC to ask for legal advice and they will have to come back once you have had that advice. (if it were me I would probably give them a call anyway..)

However....

From what you have said it sounds to me like your application might not have been completed correctly and your new additions onto NFLMS *may* have flagged up as your application has not closed off IYSWIM.

Out of interest when you notified them of the purchase how quickly did you notify them?

Without worrying you unnecessarily its very unusual to have a "spot check". I am aware Merseyside started something similar but that was targeted at people who had large collections and was well publicised.

[andyb28]

red_slr said:

If they ask for your key safe combination just politely decline and if they get shirty in any way tell them you are calling BASC to ask for legal advice and they will have to come back once you have had that advice. (if it were me I would probably give them a call anyway..)

However....

From what you have said it sounds to me like your application might not have been completed correctly and your new additions onto NFLMS *may* have flagged up as your application has not closed off IYSWIM.

Out of interest when you notified them of the purchase how quickly did you notify them?

Without worrying you unnecessarily its very unusual to have a "spot check". I am aware Merseyside started something similar but that was targeted at people who had large collections and was well publicised.

Many thanks for your help. I will indeed decline to provide access to the key safe. All information for purchases were sent to them the same day via email. Which their system sends confirmation back, so I do know they got it.

I feel better prepared for the visit now. I do wonder if they were meant to follow up to see the cabinet secured, but didn't get round to it? I got my licence quite quickly.

[red_slr]

Yep cabinets have to physically be inspected at:

Grant
Renewal
Change of address