Permanent move to Belfast from Surrey

[Foxyboy43]

A bit off topic, but I've always wondered why the residents of NI are allowed to possess handguns while we on the mainland aren't. Are we not a United Kingdom (OK, don't answer that one...)? Are the handguns just ofr target use, or for personal protection as well?

Ahah! Good question, well presented. In short it is because we are more trusted with big boy’s toys than our mainland cousins.
So okay, maybe not - more realistically because different legislation applies over here and we were not impacted by the awful Dunblane massacre reaction which resulted in a sweeping ban on handguns across the mainland but not in NI (and from memory IoM and Channel Islands?). Many handguns are still held for Personal Protection where a real threat exists and our police are all still armed. If you are a member of a registered club and pass your probationary period (12 months) you can have as many handguns as you can justify for the many and varied competition disciplines in both revolver and semi-automatic from .22 upwards (.357 magnums, 44 magnums and even .444 Contenders for example are ok) but all of these are for range use only at approved club ranges and can only be transported from home to those ranges and return. At one time there was a cap on the number licensed in NI but that was removed some years ago which resulted in a bit of a free for all.
I even know several chaps who moved to NI in order to keep their handguns at the time of the original ban.
Of course some “organisations“ over here were unaffected by any of this…………
Funny old world, innit?

 

[Dunwaters]

A bit off topic, but I've always wondered why the residents of NI are allowed to possess handguns while we on the mainland aren't. Are we not a United Kingdom (OK, don't answer that one...)? Are the handguns just ofr target use, or for personal protection as well?

It goes back to the “ Troubles “ .
Quite a few people on both sides of the divide had licence to carry for self defence, pretty much anyone in the army navy, police , senior aides and civil servants etc, etc. So they were allowed to keep them, it also got a wee mention in the Good Friday accord, again people on both sides were allowed to hang on to their personal defence weapons.
Didn’t see Foxies post before I posted this

 

[Cranhill]

There's also 2600+ on loan "Personal Protection Firearms" to various NI residents.

 

[AndrewS]

Thanks for those replies - I had no idea that it was so different over there. It does seem strange that there are so many handguns legally held while we can get a two-shot pistol for humane dispatch, if we're lucky. There are parts of the mainland where I'd feel happier if I was armed!

Hmm - wonder what house prices are like over there...

 

[Franchi Matt]

I'm sure the locals will be happy to help you if you need help with temporary storage...

quality

 

[DavyG]

Hello everyone ,

Was wondering if the hive mind can help .
So as per title i am moving to Belfast from Surrey and taking my rifles, shotgun and ammo with me ( hopefully) . I have notified both police forces about the move along with the new address. My problem now is the logistics of transporting everything. Surrey police will not advice on the move said ask PSNI . Awaiting reply from PSNI.
Was ndering if anyone has done a similar move post brexit ?
PSNI website gives conflicting information , on one hand it says that dont worry your FAC is perfeclt valid thoughout the Uk on the other they say you need to export everything and re-import it on the other side of the Irish sea .
Thank you everyone .
BR
Tinki

PM sent

 

[tikka_madras]

The NI version "A Father's Advice" is something totally different.

Is that the one that begins “first, try to identify your father”?

 

[flatliner]

Is that the one that begins “first, try to identify your father”?

How does the tune for that one go?

 

[Claret_Dabbler]

Thanks for those replies - I had no idea that it was so different over there. It does seem strange that there are so many handguns legally held while we can get a two-shot pistol for humane dispatch, if we're lucky. There are parts of the mainland where I'd feel happier if I was armed!

Hmm - wonder what house prices are like over there...

Houses are ballpark £150 per sq foot. About a quarter of the price of Surrey.

The vast majority of personal protection weapons were pulled years ago. Still quite a few out there. I was in an RFD’s shop one evening. Chat came around to who was still carrying. Several sig’s and glocks later, turns out I was the only one who wasn’t.

 

[Tinki]

Hello everyone Just heard back from BASC today ( amazing service and fast reply ) who adviced that since FAC is valid in NI , can travel with firearms and as soon as off the boat go directly to RFD to store them and then wait for a NI FAC to be issued ( annoyingly after re-applying. Anyway once move is complete will let everyone know . THank you everyone for all their imput !!

 

[Foxyboy43]

Hello everyone Just heard back from BASC today ( amazing service and fast reply ) who adviced that since FAC is valid in NI , can travel with firearms and as soon as off the boat go directly to RFD to store them and then wait for a NI FAC to be issued ( annoyingly after re-applying. Anyway once move is complete will let everyone know . THank you everyone for all their imput !!

Ahem. I would check that out with PSNI to be certain, also by the time you get their NI FAC you may have incurred a substantial storage charge from said RFD.

 

[Tinki]

Ahem. I would check that out with PSNI to be certain, also by the time you get their NI FAC you may have incurred a substantial storage charge from said RFD.

Awaiting reply for them also . Crosing T's Dotting I's you are right on the storage charges ( did not even think of them ) because they made it sound like this process will take at least 6 months .

 

[Foxyboy43]

Awaiting reply for them also . Crosing T's Dotting I's you are right on the storage charges ( did not even think of them ) because they made it sound like this process will take at least 6 months .

Yep and the rest. If you pm me giving me your rough address and number of firearms I will happily check out prices with a few rfds I know so that you have some idea of costs.