Shotgun theft

But can’t you cock it manually by forcing the cocking levers against a wall or any other hard surface?

F
Maybe you can, but the opportunist thief is unlikely to have specialist firearms knowledge. He just wants a gun that works, and if it doesn't he'll chuck it in a ditch.
 
Lots of advice, but worth looking at the sticky at the top of this forum - Firearms Security Handbook 2019. (published 1st October 2019)

PART 7: FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION IN TRANSIT
Carriage by Road – Section 1 & 2 Firearms & Ammunition

Private Individuals

7.1 When carrying firearms etc. in a vehicle, the following steps are considered to accord with the duty to ensure the safe custody of the items.
Vehicles Left Unattended
7.2 Whenever possible, the vehicle should not be left unattended for long periods.
7.3 Vehicles containing firearms and left unattended for any length of time should ideally have an immobiliser and/or alarm fitted. For commercial vehicles, such as vans additional locking solutions should be fitted to manufacturer’s standards. Trackers should be considered by those individuals who regularly move large numbers of guns.
7.4 Where possible, they should be parked where in an area that provides natural surveillance
7.5 For preference, the firearms should be stored in the locked boot or other secured load carrying area of the vehicle. They should be out of sight from passers-by.
7.6 In the case of estates, hatchbacks and similar vehicles, the certificate holder should ensure that:
a) where fitted, the lid or cover of the load carrying area should be in place, or the firearms are covered and concealed to prevent their identification;
b) if the vehicle is to be left unattended. for any length of time, the firearm and ammunition should not be stored together;
c) where the boot or load carrying area is the most practical place, ammunition should be secured in an appropriate container ideally, but not necessarily, secured to the vehicle;
d) where it is practical, the bolt magazine or other operating part should be separated from the firearm and either carried on the person, or kept in a locked container, ideally secured to the vehicle, or concealed elsewhere.


Bear in mind this is still only "guidance" The underlined in Section 7.1 is interesting, as is 7.6 d which may or may not cover a "forend"
 
Maybe you can, but the opportunist thief is unlikely to have specialist firearms knowledge. He just wants a gun that works, and if it doesn't he'll chuck it in a ditch.

Funnily enough I would think it would be the licensed shotgun owner that would be less likely to know the work around than the thief that will have done the 101 criminal aqusition of firearms knowledge.

Thieves are not necessarily any more stupid or ignorant than the honest. They certainly should not be underestimated in their craftsmanship!

Alan
 
Funnily enough I would think it would be the licensed shotgun owner that would be less likely to know the work around than the thief that will have done the 101 criminal aqusition of firearms knowledge.

Thieves are not necessarily any more stupid or ignorant than the honest. They certainly should not be underestimated in their craftsmanship!

Alan
Fair point.
 
But can’t you cock it manually by forcing the cocking levers against a wall or any other hard surface?

F
Yes it’s very easy to recock a shotgun without a forend.
Go on any shoot and the vast majority of guns arrive at and then are carried in a gun slip. If they are broken down they are put in a case with all component parts.

Leaving a shotgun well hidden in a locked car in a private driveway is taking reasonable precautions.

if you are leaving it overnight, stick the action in your overnight bag.
 
Yes it’s very easy to recock a shotgun without a forend.
Go on any shoot and the vast majority of guns arrive at and then are carried in a gun slip. If they are broken down they are put in a case with all component parts.

Leaving a shotgun well hidden in a locked car in a private driveway is taking reasonable precautions.

if you are leaving it overnight, stick the action in your overnight bag.
Heym,

The only problem with leaving it in a car for any length of time is the car could be stolen.

F
 
The fore end has to be fitted to re cock the hammers on an o/u or sbs shotgun, so essentially it can only be fired twice before its scrap.
I’m not sure that’s true for all s/s guns. I know one of mine works fine without a fore-end; not sure about the others as I’ve never had to try
 
Any "common" side by side fired whilst lacking it's forend can be recocked by pressing the cocking dogs against a robust door frame.

The door frame in my gunroom still bears the scars. But yes you will need to dismount the barrels to do so against the door frame.

But once done you simply remount them. Whether it's an ejector or non-ejector makes no difference.
 
My licensing authority is very strict I was present on my brother in laws recent fac and sgc grant interview , the above scenario was discussed and he was told in no uncertain terms that bolt removed or forend removed was the only option if said firearms were in a vehicle . It’s a well known fact that the police have an agenda to reduce the number of firearms out there there is a report I saw on here a while ago ( must admit I forget which thread ) which went along the lines of “ a reduction in the number of privately owners firearms would be a desirable outcome “
Sorry Jimbo but that's all hearsay, not evidence. Whilst I don't deny for one minute that it's good practice to split up the component parts of our firearms it's not law. I'm sure the police would like a reduction in the number of firearms in Britain I'm sure that they would also like a reduction in a lot of other things too. Wouldn't we all?
 
but most modern cars are probably better alarmed and secured than a lot of houses.
Aren’t cars seen as a public place within the law? Seem to remember reading that this was to make police powers of search easier (this may or may not be true lol).

edit:
I’ve just done a google. Apparently a car IS considered a public place unless it’s parked on private property. So if the car in this case was on private land.........
 
Only trouble I see here is how the thieves would have known the gun was in the car. If they broke a front window, it can be assumed they wanted to steal personal goods or stereo, if rear window, the police may well assume the gun was ‘in sight’ and the license holder dealt a revokation on grounds of gross negligence.
 
Only trouble I see here is how the thieves would have known the gun was in the car. If they broke a front window, it can be assumed they wanted to steal personal goods or stereo, if rear window, the police may well assume the gun was ‘in sight’ and the license holder dealt a revokation on grounds of gross negligence.
Gun was in a case behind drivers seat. Hidden under overalls. Farmers Mrs sees two scrotes reaching into broken window and fleeing in a BMW. I think "reasonable precautions " have been taken i.e. locked car in open view daylight outside an occupied house with a witness to the whole thing.
The thieves knew the gun was there already I would have thought. Why else would they take such a risk in breaking into a car parked right outside a house in broad daylight? They went for the back window because they had seen the owner put the gun in the back! I could be wrong but that's my gut feeling on it.
 
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