Anyone own a Ruger precision rifle in northern ireland

[chriswjx]

It’s not ‘bollocks’ unfortunately.
I enquired with an RFD on Saturday and the use of ‘military style’ rifles and shotguns is restricted to ranges only according to PSNI guidance.

Well everyone shooting a Remmy 700 is ****ed then... Not just a military "style"... an actual military rifle!

M24 Sniper Weapon System - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Come to think - this would also mean that any "sporter" rifle could be classed as a military style, as they all have similar stocks to the M24...

 

[Edinburgh Rifles]

It’s not ‘bollocks’ unfortunately.
I enquired with an RFD on Saturday and the use of ‘military style’ rifles and shotguns is restricted to ranges only according to PSNI guidance.

PSNI Guidance on Firearms mentions the word "Military" 9 times
None indicate any restriction to what qualifies as "Military style" or that they are only for range use (or for that matter what constitutes "a Range")

https://www.psni.police.uk/sites/default/files/2022-08/guidance_on_northern_ireland_firearms_controls.pdf

 

[Gaz222]

Two RFD have already told the op that they are restricted to ranges only. Another RFD whom I’ve known for over 40 years confirms it . I ,and at least two other forum members given the replies, have experienced this personally .

 

[Roncon1]

It's a farcical state of affairs but it is apparently so. Regarding the chassis route I was told if you ask it will be a no just in case

 

[Edinburgh Rifles]

Yes, we have FEO and RFDs in Scotland making stuff up too.

"Can't have two of the same calibre"
"Can't swap a mod for a rifle on a variation"
"Can't use 338 on deer"
"Can't do this"......

Doesnt mean we have to just blindly agree with it and just say its "the law"

Show me any PSNI or HO legal statement or even guidance (which is NOT law) that states anything remotely covering "military style" firearms being used privately otherwise someone needs to take one for the team and push back.

 

[Roncon1]

I would if I could get an RFD that was willing to dance with me. I've got mt FO out in a couple of months to inspect a separate safe and alarm for a pistol app, I may tackle her then , see where it gets me

 

[Chris Richardson]

Yes, we have FEO and RFDs in Scotland making stuff up too.

"Can't have two of the same calibre"
"Can't swap a mod for a rifle on a variation"
"Can't use 338 on deer"
"Can't do this"......

Doesnt mean we have to just blindly agree with it and just say its "the law"

Show me any PSNI or HO legal statement or even guidance (which is NOT law) that states anything remotely covering "military style" firearms being used privately otherwise someone needs to take one for the team and push back.

We do when they insist on dsc for deer calibre why should this be any different ?

 

[Gaz222]

Worth asking your FEO or get a chassis system and crack on.
Hopefully works out. I bought a Tikka CTR which is great but I still would have liked the Tac A1

 

[Edinburgh Rifles]

We do when they insist on dsc for deer calibre why should this be any different ?

Also an unlawful request without any standing in law or HO guidance
Push back and stop accepting bull**** requests

 

[Chris Richardson]

Also an unlawful request without any standing in law or HO guidance
Push back and stop accepting bull**** requests

Indeed that what I keep saying but sadly it’s not happening

 

[Foxyboy43]

Yes, we have FEO and RFDs in Scotland making stuff up too.

"Can't have two of the same calibre"
"Can't swap a mod for a rifle on a variation"
"Can't use 338 on deer"
"Can't do this"......

Doesnt mean we have to just blindly agree with it and just say its "the law"

Show me any PSNI or HO legal statement or even guidance (which is NOT law) that states anything remotely covering "military style" firearms being used privately otherwise someone needs to take one for the team and push back.

There are no such statements in NI legislation - fact.
“Legislation” is the enshrining of the wishes of Parliament as passed into law - fact.
“Policy” is how the authorities (in this case PSNI) chose to interpret the parent legislation - fact.
What you are up against over here (and elsewhere) therefore is local policy (usually enshrined in “Guidance”) - fact.
Unlike legislation therefore said policy can be challenged - fact.
I have successfully challenged Firearms Licensing policy on two occasions - once on the requirement to posses a DSC1 or equivalent to have a deer rifle and the second on the PSNI move to a totally paperless licensing process - recently picked up by local councils and resulting in the NI Commissioner reminding said force of their need to accommodate all sections of society - in this case those who wish to have/renew a firearm license but are not computer literate and over 65.
Sooo… a perhaps very longwinded way of saying “if it ain’t in the law it can indeed be challenged/changed”.
However, bearing in mind the recent minor inconvenience we enjoyed for 30 or so years and that a couple of fanatics are still at it I can perhaps see the point of the police and maybe society in general not wanting lads wandering about the fields hither and yon with “black rifles”. If you really want one join a club and use your little darling at the range - as I do with my wartime rifles…