Everyone who shoots comes across situations which for them define what you can and cant do when shooting. It would be useful perhaps for anyone who shoots to share those experiences as a bit of learning without having to go through the same situation. A bit like 'case- law' with a health warning.
An example to illustrate. I used to shoot,(on my own aged 14/15) on an area of heathland in north Shropshire which was owned by a local racehorse breeder who gave me his permission.
This was the late 60's. There was a policeman friend of the family who called in and who was a policeman first and a friend second. He advised me not to cross the road with an open shotgun as he would 'arrest me' - it had to be slipped. I met another policeman whilst out with the gun, no slip, and crossed the road in front of him ( unintentionally) with the gun broken. He stopped me but not to arrest me but ask me about the 50 foot rule from the centre of the highway - which I new and could recite almost word for word and explained this was why I had taken out the cartridges and broken the gun. I have never known the rules about slips in those days but now suspect its the view of a citizen who sees you that could determine your fate rather than a law, since any firearm could be quickly used to shoot in a public place,even if it was in pieces or slipped.
I am sure we slip guns for those who dont appreciate how theycould be used and there is the rule about a gun and ammo in a public place without good reason but does anyone know definitively the law on what might be termed 'open carry' (rifles or shotguns?) It used to be commonplace years ago but now its almost never seen (except on Exmoor)
Cheers.
An example to illustrate. I used to shoot,(on my own aged 14/15) on an area of heathland in north Shropshire which was owned by a local racehorse breeder who gave me his permission.
This was the late 60's. There was a policeman friend of the family who called in and who was a policeman first and a friend second. He advised me not to cross the road with an open shotgun as he would 'arrest me' - it had to be slipped. I met another policeman whilst out with the gun, no slip, and crossed the road in front of him ( unintentionally) with the gun broken. He stopped me but not to arrest me but ask me about the 50 foot rule from the centre of the highway - which I new and could recite almost word for word and explained this was why I had taken out the cartridges and broken the gun. I have never known the rules about slips in those days but now suspect its the view of a citizen who sees you that could determine your fate rather than a law, since any firearm could be quickly used to shoot in a public place,even if it was in pieces or slipped.
I am sure we slip guns for those who dont appreciate how theycould be used and there is the rule about a gun and ammo in a public place without good reason but does anyone know definitively the law on what might be termed 'open carry' (rifles or shotguns?) It used to be commonplace years ago but now its almost never seen (except on Exmoor)
Cheers.