Retention of fired cartridges/cases - DIY NCIS

[bfltd0]

Just received my FAC/SGC renewal back from the Met with a separate letter asking me to consider keeping a FIRED cartridge or case from each firearm or shotgun I possess. This is apparently going to all FAC/SGC holders. The idea is that you keep a once-fired cartridge/case in an envelope with the weapon details/serial number on the envelope, so if your guns get nicked, you can give the cases to the police who give them to the NaBIS, who can then determine whether your weapons are subsequently used in crimes.

Anyone else had one of these letters?

And any reactions?

 

[mealiejimmy]

Some people have, and AFAIK, most have thrown the letters in the bin.


Cheers

Bruce

 

[Woodsmoke]

I think its becoming quite common. Absolutely pointless, in my view, but common nonetheless

 

[CarlW]

They've been around for a while in a number of forces. Nothing sinister. Some people are helping out; others ignoring it. No penalty for non-compliance so up to you, I think.

 

[Liveonce]

Up to you, but why oh why do it?
They expect favours from us yet keep coming up with ways to further restrict us. like the current consultation on air guns and reloading components.
When they stop persecuting us in the miss guided hope of solving violent crime caused by scum carrying knives or screwdrivers, then is the time to reconsider helping with such initiatives.

 

[stubear]

I remain highly skeptical about it to be honest.

If my guns get nicked I'm not getting them back unless the police recover them. If they recover them prior to any crime being committed then they can ID them with the serial numbers. If they are used in a crime and recovered then they are evidence and I'm not getting them back regardless of what they recover.

If they are used in a crime and not recovered, but the police recover a spent casing, then all they can really do is go "it was your rifle used to murder those people" and that just becomes another stick to beat the shooting community with - "If we just banned all the private guns then these crimes wouldnt have happened."

Either way I dont see the pluses.

 

[paul dillon]

Request what Request never seen it

 

[bfltd0]

Request what Request never seen it

Only saw it for the first time myself. Looks like they are not making a separate effort to contact cert holders except at renewal.

 

[Eric the Red]

I'd be really interested to hear from someone more knowledgeable than me as to whether a gun could be identified from a spent case. I get from bullets - that's pretty well documented as having unique characteristics - but a case?
I can't see it myself........

 

[Liveonce]

I'd be really interested to hear from someone more knowledgeable than me as to whether a gun could be identified from a spent case. I get from bullets - that's pretty well documented as having unique characteristics - but a case?
I can't see it myself........

Firing pin marks possibly.

 

[Haggis Hunter]

There are several potential markings on a fired cartridge case that can be uniquely associated with the gun that fired it. Firing pin marks and breach face marks most commonly used. But you also have extractor and ejector marks, and others, that might be useful in some circumstances.
hh

 

[CarlW]

Firing pin marks possibly.

Yes. I wonder whether the chamber also leaves a microscopic and negative impression of its imperfections on the outside of the case?

 

[Haggis Hunter]

Should add that the markings on the recovered case is compared against a test fired case from the gun you are interested in, using a comparison microscope, usually. Comparing ‘like with like’.
hh

 

[bfltd0]

So the answer is yes it would be useful for NaBIS, but the purpose of the whole thing is unclear.

 

[Haggis Hunter]

Yes, could potentially be scientifically useful.
hh

 

[Pedro]

There are scenarios where it might prove useful that I can think of in investigating crime. So if you want to do it, I say fill your boots. Perhaps someone will reply to the letter saying that this service will incur a charge for the brass that cannot be reloaded and services providing evidence by producing evidence you've gathered in court in any future court case. And monthly ongoing storage charges. See how that goes. Perhaps offer them a single annual charge to be paid at the time of renewal, which will only coincidentally amount to the cost of the renewal.

One good turn....

 

[paul o']

Wonder should we Request £2 per case collected and filed to offset the arm bending Doctors med reports thats been stuck on top of the Cert costs ?

 

[Apthorpe]

There are several potential markings on a fired cartridge case that can be uniquely associated with the gun that fired it. Firing pin marks and breach face marks most commonly used. But you also have extractor and ejector marks, and others, that might be useful in some circumstances.
hh

If, and only if, the case has not been reloaded?

 

[Stalker62]

I shoot with a Firearms scientist who is based in the Met's laboratory.

I have had occasions to visit him and his colleagues at their place of work and have seen what they can do at first hand. It is scary.

Also spent a day with their "collection" of firearms and ammunition - it is world class.

No conspiracy here. Do it or don't. It's voluntary.

 

[bfltd0]

If, and only if, the case has not been reloaded?

The letter is only asking for once-fired cases.