In the eyes of the law it doesn't matter whether the gun is loaded or not. If it's a quiet path I would tend to go with it slung over my shoulder, mag in but nothing up the spout. I often walk out of my frint door this way.
Section 19 of the 1968 Act makes it an offence to have in a public place without lawful
authority or reasonable excuse (the proof of which lies on the accused) a loaded shotgun,
an air weapon (whether loaded or not), any other firearm (whether loaded or not) together
with ammunition suitable for use in that firearm, or an imitation firearm.
22.16 Section 57(6) of the 1968 Act includes a definition of “loaded” in relation to shotguns
use a bit of common sense depending on where you are.
theres always some anti ready to make the dreaded 999 "rampaging gunman phone call"
Hi just got a permission and looking at the best way to access it is along a pubic bridle way due to the nature of the prevailing wind. Is it legal for me to approach the permission along the bridle way so long as the rifle is in a case and not loaded?
BE
Spoke to FEO this morning and they stated as said above. We can use public byways to access permissions, make sure you keep firearms covered, unloaded and behave politely if you encounter a member of the public.
Good to have it from the horses mouth as it were.
BE
Also bear in mind that the footpath/bridleway actually belongs to the landowner and the public only have the right of passage on said path (and only on the path) to get from one end to the other.
And, plus, from when I did my law (so it may have changed) to use it TO GET FROM A TO B ONLY. That is to say there is no right when using a footpath to stop and linger (such as having a picnic or a "brew up" on a primus stove, nor by extension to stand whilst throwing a stick or a ball to a dog to fetch a retrieve.
In essence YOU ARE MEANT TO KEEP MOVING....THINK OF IT AS "MOTORWAY REGULATIONS APPLY" AS ON THE M1.