Becoming a carer

[Sol]

Due too some life circumstances I've been asked and obliged too take the role of a carer for one of my relatives, he suffers from various mental health issues (nothing dangerous, however some conditions that sometimes are so If someone assumes, could be a bit of a crap show I've seen the lovely stories on here....)

I'm just curious If this is something that would crop up on my application for my certificate since we will be living under the same adress, I would no but i assume more of a reason too store rifles offsite from home address Is really the only thing? The alternative address was the original plan regardless as security Is significantly better since there's an active certificate long-time holder in the house hold.

 

[Rob-E]

They’ll know eventually anyway so be honest from the start.
Contact your FEO and ask if they want you to have additional security. At the end of the day they’re the risk holders they either tolerate it or treat it.

 

[Donkey Basher]

@Sol firstly sorry to hear your news, have been through the wringer of mental health issues with MiL & was heading that way with FiL when we were ‘fortunate’ enough to lose him to a perforated stomach ulcer. We never progressed to the roles of carer officially as MiL went into care but FiL refused to - even in an unofficial role it is very demanding, thoughts are with you.

Re the question of security, only you know the full situation but what I’d advise is having a chat with you FEO & asking them for some advice. Be open & up front with them, give all the information you have, eg diagnosis, what that means on a day to day basis & what the prognosis is - being blunt, how long will the situation last. If it’s short term you may get different advice than if it is long term for example.

It could be as simple as you having a key safe either with a digital lock or if a key then maybe you wear the key on a chain around your neck. Or, they may say you need to move the firearms & ammunition to another location.

ATB

 

[weblyish]

I have previously had foster children with moderate to serious mental health concerns including suicidal ideation in a house while having shotguns.

FEO had no specific additional concerns as I was clear that my key security was decent and multilayered: key safe + hidden location + trembler alarm on the cabinet. those measures were in place anyway as I had kids in the house

That could be slightly different for you as they do not 'investigate' young people in the house in the same way as other adults but the same principle should apply

 

[sikastag270]

been a carer for my wife for 11 years.
have ms myself for 30 years.
just crack as good as you can

 

[Pedro]

Obviously the worry is that he might get access to your firearms. So do a bit of risk assessing and second guess how, in a worse case scenario you can prevent that. Many folk just hide the keys somewhere in the house, but if he's living there, there might come a time when he works out where they are. So endeavour to negate that. Maybe have the keys hidden but also in one of those small key safes (like you get outside houses attached to walls) secured and hidden somewhere, so if he did find that, he's no nearer to getting access to the cabinet(s). Perhaps you could, as an extra level of security have the door to the room where the guns are fitted with a lock too. It wouldn't be up to the standard of a gun room, but gives another level of security. Combination locks for doors and or cabinets are certainly something to consider too, although changing cabinets when you have perfectly serviceable ones is a cost! Obviously rifle ammo has to be secured separately, but if you have shotgun ammo (which doesn't need to be actually locked away) you could have a safe for that. Although if you have a lot of cartridges, space could be an issue.

I'm sure you could think of suitable things instead of or more than the above, but if you present the police with a potential problem (having this relative living in the house) and also a solution, you will be more likely to satisfy them things are safe.

 

[Sol]

Thanks folks seems like my assumption was about right that yes storing here might pose an inherent risk In terms of successful grant If the desire was too house them here, however if security is justified or the firearms are stored off property I should be fine with minimal questions asked - and obviously context of the situation regardless.

I've always been under the agreement that my particular house has never quite been up too code in terms of safely housing firearms, the windows do not lock and can be accessed from the outside, and surrounded by pubs with a little enclosed stair-well from the council (they neglect the hell out of it, despite paying 200 quid a year) things can get rowdy on football night, Just last week the door was smashed, and the bloody handle of all things taken/ripped off! council hasn't even attempted too fix the last smashed in stair-way window....

On the other hand planned storage area Is directly in the ground I can shoot on over 20 minutes outside of town In a nearly non-existent crime area, with doors always locked, cameras in the house, alarms, secretive storage, with custom built safes cant go wrong with that, plus member of certificate of over 40 years.

Its easy enough too get a safe installed for myself, there's space for it no bother.

 

[12gsnapcaps]

Sorry to hear of your situation, wishing you the best. Regarding your 'safe storage' requirements, there is solid home office documentation on what is required and the police are expected to adhere to it. For example, for a single shotgun or rifle, a safe/cabinet is not strictly necessary and a gun clamp is legally sufficient. It may be worth reading this. Firearms security handbook 2020 (accessible)

It sounds like you're prepped with solution/s and as such I would imagine your licencing authority will be reasonable. I doubt this is the first time they have seen a situation such as yours.

 

[fordman]

Thanks folks seems like my assumption was about right that yes storing here might pose an inherent risk In terms of successful grant If the desire was too house them here, however if security is justified or the firearms are stored off property I should be fine with minimal questions asked - and obviously context of the situation regardless.

I've always been under the agreement that my particular house has never quite been up too code in terms of safely housing firearms, the windows do not lock and can be accessed from the outside, and surrounded by pubs with a little enclosed stair-well from the council (they neglect the hell out of it, despite paying 200 quid a year) things can get rowdy on football night, Just last week the door was smashed, and the bloody handle of all things taken/ripped off! council hasn't even attempted too fix the last smashed in stair-way window....

On the other hand planned storage area Is directly in the ground I can shoot on over 20 minutes outside of town In a nearly non-existent crime area, with doors always locked, cameras in the house, alarms, secretive storage, with custom built safes cant go wrong with that, plus member of certificate of over 40 years.

Its easy enough too get a safe installed for myself, there's space for it no bother.

sounds like storage at the other address might be a better option sol, as it sounds like you live in a city/town and other person doesn't. Obviously, your feo will have to be happy with that. Can you get your firearm also put onto the other person cert? that way you could use his safe.

 

[Sol]

sounds like storage at the other address might be a better option sol, as it sounds like you live in a city/town and other person doesn't. Obviously, your feo will have to be happy with that. Can you get your firearm also put onto the other person cert? that way you could use his safe.

I do believe that was our original plan.

If I understand correctly my ticket must have the same firearms listed, and I'll also need too be listed down as a permanent lend-ee for each of his rifles If we dont want a bolt/barrel-lock mechanism in them.

I believe in theory I dont actually have too "buy" my own rifles under this circumstance as technically I am under ownership, what works well in our situation I enjoy his rifles and we've got three larger calibres (.222 & 2 243s) so there's enough too share between us.

Only reason I've not applied Is I wish too be genuine In terms of when I met them, and when my two year refence Is valid (4-5 months from now) and permanent house address (technically not changed it, but Its clear I'm moving back sooner than later)

 

[fordman]

Whats the time for a new grant of an fac in your area? Was talking to someone in humberside and they're looking at 1.5 years! Lots of fac holder renewals now getting extensions on top of extensions because theres that much of a backlog.

 

[Bowland blades]

Due too some life circumstances I've been asked and obliged too take the role of a carer for one of my relatives, he suffers from various mental health issues (nothing dangerous, however some conditions that sometimes are so If someone assumes, could be a bit of a crap show I've seen the lovely stories on here....)

I'm just curious If this is something that would crop up on my application for my certificate since we will be living under the same adress, I would no but i assume more of a reason too store rifles offsite from home address Is really the only thing? The alternative address was the original plan regardless as security Is significantly better since there's an active certificate long-time holder in the house hold.

I dont think they will be going off to buy an angle grinded and a pack of disks to break your safe right ? This is kind of risk assessment thing you can do one of those right ? The FEO will pick up the slack for you as and when no doubt