Divorce & Spouse Moving Out....

[bluesako]

if i was in your shoes, i would get them stored as soon as possible until things settle down, good luck atb. bs.

 

[Sylvanius]

Having been divorced amicably myself many years ago, I remember initially going to see a solicitor (we actually decided to do it without solicitors in the end and everything was done sensibly like grown ups just as it sounds like you are) and was horrified to hear him say to me "I can make it as difficult for her as you want me to" ! So although your other half may be being reasonable, remember that someone like a solicitor may change that.

 

[gonzo]

Sandyb,

My situation was very similar. Except wasn't married and they house was always mine, so no lock/security issues. And keeping thing civil was best for our daughter.

Your idea of lodging the keys with an RFD is interesting. This is somethimng that the police will do if an FAC holder passes away, they will take the safe keys, so that the family have no access, till an RFD is contacted or temporary certificate could be issued.
But how will you then get to shoot? I am thinking that all the legal paperwork is going to take a very long time?

 

[geoffw]

Yep been here before, I stored mine at the local gun shop , lucky I did as she claimed I threatened her with one but they had been in storage for a month.
Its a cheap option for piece of mind.

A mate of mine had the same- he'd stored his guns with the RFD & informed the police. The police then kept a straight face when taking down her "threatened with..." claim & getting her to sign it... which turned the tables somewhat..

 

[willowbank]

Sorry to hear about the divorce. It's not a nice position to be in, regardless of the circumstances. It's entirely your call re' your guns though. We all know the story of the guy whose wife called the police to tell them he'd pointed a gun at her, only for them to open the cabinet and find a receipt from his RFD dated a month earlier . . . . . .

Best of luck with everything

Now that’s what I’d call a result, liked to have been in the room when it happened.

Good luck on the divorce and always have time for your daughter she will need you to be there for her.

all the best Willowbank.

 

[Whitebeard]

Anyone who did not put their guns into storage in this situation is a fool, be safe and 100% sure that they cannot be accessed by unauthorised persons or used for spurious accusations.

Ian

 

[gonzo]

In the cases you guys mentioned, where a malicious claim was made by an ex, were there any counter charges brought by the police?

 

[Woodsmoke]

where a malicious claim was made by an ex, were there any counter charges brought by the police?

Not as far as I know. In fact, in one case of revocation I read about, (where the guy was proven to be totally innocent!) it took a further year or so to have it overturned. Completely unfair, and makes an utter joke of the 'justice system'

 

[75]

However as guns are stored in the house and her family may gain access with her or without her using the keys should she allow them, then surely on the grounds of gun safety I can insist she give the keys back.

Only the certificate holder should have access to the firearms, regardless of who accesses the property, so keep the safe keys with you and no one can get to your guns. I'd definitely not play the "gun security" card as you'd effectively be saying you were worried your security arrangements weren't up to scratch and, as a non-certificate holder, she could access your firearms!

However, the secondary issue which has been raised (that she could claim you had threatened her with firearms) is a very valid one in this scenario and you'd do well to lodge the guns with an RFD or elsewhere as a precaution.

 

[RancidRabbit]

In the cases you guys mentioned, where a malicious claim was made by an ex, were there any counter charges brought by the police?

NO!!!!

At the time of my issue, I was not even made aware of the allegation. The police (as far as I am aware) did not investigate or proceed the allegation. I was not questioned or advised if it. I only found out years later when it was brought up in a meeting and Held against me. I have argued the case with the police, used the data protection laws to get a copy of my data etc. I’m stuck with this allegation that I can’t disprove years down the road. (Even with audio recordings of the incident). My dictaphone and smartphone recording everything helped an awful lot, but wasn’t enough in this case.

Cover your backside!!! You can’t cover it enough. Unsubstantiated Allegations can have a big impact on a FAC holder.

 

[Sandyb]

Thanks all for posts....

BASC weren't too helpful, saying it was my call to play it as I see it, but have contacted my regular RFD today and taking the guns down on Friday without her knowledge... I will still go out shooting as usual in my gear with my iPad to keep me entertained for a few hours to get out of the house with my empty gun bag, etc

Will give me time to spend quality time time with my daughter in any case. I guess once she's moved out and communications will be minimal, then I could have them back. She said she doesn't plan on coming back once she's taken all her stuff. Will probably still change the locks in any case, so as to prevent her taking anything else once she's taken her agreed share.... I do have CCTV on the front of the house that would record her comings and goings...

 

[Woodsmoke]

BASC weren't too helpful

I'm shocked

Good luck with everything. When my ex' moved out it was only during the last 5 minutes or so that things got heated. Guess that's when it really sinks in, and last-minute recriminations crop up. Not having the guns on-site keeps you absolutely covered just in case

 

[enfieldspares]

I'd definitely not play the "gun security" card as you'd effectively be saying you were worried your security arrangements weren't up to scratch and, as a non-certificate holder, she could access your firearms!

I'd disagree. The FEO when grant was made will have assessed the TOTAL security as a series of "rings" offered by window locks, door locks, burglar alarms, etc., etc., including properties that overlook the premises where the firearms are kept. So a keyholder no longer on amicable terms with the licence holder but who is yet able to access the property when the licence holder is absent compromises that first "ring".

That a person no longer in a relationship with the licence holder has access to the property (but who's presence as they are familiar to them won't cause neighbours to report an unauthorised person accessing the property) AND may have additional sets of keys cut over the distribution of which sets the licence holder has no control IS a breach of that TOTAL security assessment.

Remember one TV celebrity presenter's wife cut his fishing rods into one foot long pieces. A jet of water squirted into a cabinet through its keyhole wouldn't do any guns locked inside any good regardless of them still being secure inside.

 

[enfieldspares]

What shooting do you do SANDYB? If your over Leicester way I'd be happy to introduce you to some of the clay grounds I use and they likely let you borrow a gun to keep in practice.

 

[Sandyb]

What shooting do you do SANDYB? If your over Leicester way I'd be happy to introduce you to some of the clay grounds I use and they likely let you borrow a gun to keep in practice.

Thanks for the offer. I predominantly do pest control with night vision, particularly this time of year. More fox than rabbits nowadays, with the occasional seasonal pigeon shoot. A target rifle member also, but that's coming to an end this time of year.... Just a shame as expecting the long waited delivery of my Sako TRG 42 in the coming month... That'll stay with the RFD now till the new year.

 

[JTO]

In truth, things aren't that bad,

Not until the bl00dy lawyers get involved.

You could, perhaps lodge things like bolts and shotgun forends with an RFD.

 

[Sandyb]

Not until the bl00dy lawyers get involved.

You could, perhaps lodge things like bolts and shotgun forends with an RFD.

I had discussed the bolt idea with BASC, the issue being a gun without a bolt, can be seen as equally threatening. So have come to the conclusion to store them for the cost of £66 pcm.

 

[Woodsmoke]

store them for the cost of £66 pcm

And therein lies the rub, doesn't it? In order to protect yourself from potential malicious allegations YOU have to bear a completely unnecessary cost. The premise that the police can and do seize firearms at the merest whiff of impropriety is an insult. Nobody in their right mind wishes firearms to be left under the control of anyone blatantly unsuitable to hold them, but it's extremely unfair that the accuser is automatically assumed to be the injured party

 

[finnbear270]

I 'd buy that £66.00 for a dollar!

 

[enfieldspares]

What? An RFD you do business with and have been a customer of is wanting sixty-six quid a month? That's awful.