got stopped last night/legality of copies of your cert's

[Archer]

I got checked once.
In a field when I saw the police car enter and park behind my car.
They waved for me to join them so I visibly unloaded my rifles, walked up to the officers, offered my hand and introduced myself.
Had a chat about what I was doing, since neither were firearms trained I explained basic safety procedures and offered them the chance "examine"/ handle both rifles- which they did, shook hands again and we all went on our way.
No request for certificates or proof of permission for me to be where I was.

 

[JAYB]

Bob,

What are you going on about, you were out lamping for foxes with rifles and got checked out by the Police, big deal. The fact that you know more about firearms law than the officers is not surprising, you have an interest in rifles and arm yourself with knowledge about them and the law surrounding them. Those officers also have to have knowledge of all aspects of the law, not just firearms, so their knowledge on all subjects will not be all encompassing and exhaustive. However it does not need to be, all they need to know is that you need a certificate to have your rifles and permission to be where you are. Now you are required to furnish this proof and if you can't they are in their rights to seize the rifles, and you if necessary until the matter is sorted.

Imagine if you had seen lights in the middle of the night and thought "POACHERS" phoned it in and nothing happened, you would then be on here moaning that the Police did nothing, can't win can they. I would suggest that if you do not wish to carry your certificate for fear of losing it then take a photocopy, and if stopped explain your reason for it being a copy, be polite and I am sure that in most instances the issue can be resolved quickly and easily.

However if you start in with smart arse comments and a cocky attitude, be prepared for a trip to the station. Which will mean an instance of a firearms related enquiry being recorded and another shooting related incident in the debit column of statistics. The Police are not there to catch you out they are doing a job, and contrary to popular belief all participants in gun crime do not wear balaclavas, have scarred features and drive fast getaway cars just the same as all burglars don't wear striped jerseys and masks.

John

 

[Grand Slam]

funny my mates one came up that but my one did't or should i say the old one two weeks ago did't ill try the new type now !

edit :: nope just scanned it , came out perfect copy with water marks and all must just be met and you force so far as i know that use a safeguard mind you this would prove that you have a proven copy of your cert ? as yours can't be defrauded as mine can .

(we got cakes at h4h this year feller lol)

Not quite sure on the cake front as we will be staying with the Father-In-Law for the weekend so as long as he is happy for the wife to take over the kitchen then we should be all good.

 

[20-250]

JAYB, well said.

 

[RED-DOT]

I have been "asked" about my activities a dozen times and always found the bobbies to be great guys and interested in my kit. Even had one watch me MISS an easy fox one night. Some know about guns and some don't.
One of my grounds has a phone happy resident who has been told to stop wasting police time andi have caught diesel thiefs and farm burglars and house breakers so i get on great with them. They can stop me for a blether anytime...

 

[bobjs]

all i am asking about is the legality of a photocopy of your certificates.

we all get stopped at some point, and what is the law in relation to having your certs with you.

Simples.

20-250 if you don't like the thread don't read it/comment on it, better still put me on your ignore list...job done.

bob.

 

[Sinistral]

me being a bit of a typical jock said.

I don't have it as i misplaced one a long time ago so no longer carry it with me, but will produce it etc. one officer then stated its the law you must be able to blah blah blah.



so your thoughts on the legality of a copy of your cert/carrying your's with you ? (this has been done to death but i never really care what they think i just do not like taking my ticket with me)

bob.

Bob,

You've already been told in Post #8 (what you know already) that the Firearms Act 1968 allows a constable to seize firearms if no FAC can be produced authorising their possession. An FAC is the only valid legal document...... a photocopy or a pic on an Iphone isn't the required standard of proof.

Why are you posting such a stupid question?

You're doing 'jocks' a disservice because the world outside will assume they're incapable of logical thought if they can't understand the obvious. Christ ....... it's a one-line sentence in the original Act .... what's your problem?

If you're trying to whip up the masses over a non-issue then you're wasting everyone's time. The only useful thing you've raised is the 'ignore poster' facility which I'm going to check out in your case.

 

[20-250]

20-250 if you don't like the thread don't read it/comment on it, better still put me on your ignore list...job done.

bob.

Strange that you didn't have the balls to ask JAYB to do the same....

 

[nuttyspaniel]

 

[Pedro]

I think we should all treat each other with courtesy, we can easily agree or disagree with each other with politeness and courtesy. I often get the feeling that things said on here by some posters would never be said in the same way, if at all, face to face.

Everyone has differing views and differing experiences. This fine forum lets us share them. If you really want to spit dummies out, let me know. I have four young grandchildren and a fifth in the pipeline. I can supply the dummies.

If you think this post is aimed at you, I leave it to you to consider why that may be. It is meant as a general observation only.

 

[paul o']

well said each to there own

I think we should all treat each other with courtesy, we can easily agree or disagree with each other with politeness and courtesy. I often get the feeling that things said on here by some posters would never be said in the same way, if at all, face to face.

Everyone has differing views and differing experiences. This fine forum lets us share them. If you really want to spit dummies out, let me know. I have four young grandchildren and a fifth in the pipeline. I can supply the dummies.

If you think this post is aimed at you, I leave it to you to consider why that may be. It is meant as a general observation only.

 

[Whitebeard]

All i can say on this subject is, if you can go to the lengths of scanning, printing and carrying a copy of your FAC why cant you carry your original?
So you loose it! big deal its not a crime, no one can use it anyway it has the certificate holders photo printed on it and before anyone says it carries my address, so does your copy unless you have blanked it out in which case if you do get a pull and show this copy you deserve a trip to the local station!!

Ian.

 

[Oh6]

If you are unlucky enough to have one of the less efficient issuing forces, it would seem quite sensible to carry a copy, rather than risk having to wait weeks for a re-issue!

In anycase carrying a copy is surely better than nothing at all.

All i can say on this subject is, if you can go to the lengths of scanning, printing and carrying a copy of your FAC why cant you carry your original?
So you loose it! big deal its not a crime,

 

[The tramp]

Just keep your ticket, in your gun slip/bag. It's going to stay clean/dry (I'd hope) and it's not going to be far from you is it ?
Problem (for some) averted.

Pete

 

[mash67]

so what did the other constable say to your mate

 

[Whitebeard]

Just keep your ticket, in your gun slip/bag. It's going to stay clean/dry (I'd hope) and it's not going to be far from you is it ?
Problem (for some) averted.

Pete

Well said that man

Ian.

 

[Tommy Kaira]

I recently put my variation in with Suffolk and thought i would just email them to clarify and i got the reply that there is no requirement for me to have my FAC on my person whilst out shooting.

Good enough for me.

Exactly the same for me with Essex police.

 

[digger9523]

My cert was in for an address change and force change, Kent to Sussex.

Told them i had some dates to take clients out in Norfolk and that I'd need my cert back for the first one. They said clearly that i didn't need to have it with me as the bobbies can see exactly who i am on their in car 'puter.

Now that's fair enough i s'pose, until you get some jobs worth with an 'Anti' chip on his shoulder and is looking for any excuse to uck fup your day. I didn't word it like that to them, but i did hint at the potential scenario.

At that she said well that's fine, just get them to call us and we can tell them the score. Now that's fair enough as well, (I know you're all thinking exactly what i said to them next) if they're willing to make sure someones in the office at 0300hrs in the morning all weekend to take a call!

A brief pause to allow that to sink in and i was told to leave it with them. Had my cert back within the week, 5 weeks ahead of the date i was initially given.

I know those long waits can be annoying, but when you think they're working on the proviso that you don't Need to have it with you, you can see why they appear to drag their knuckles a bit.

Different story if you're one of those waiting for a variation to be done so you don't miss a deal on a good rifle though.

 

[robert1666]

Just tame some photos of your FAC on your phone - you always have a copy with you.

this is exactly what i do , never carry your fac with you in case your vehicle gets broken into or the certificate falls out the vehicle or what ever , as of the police stopping you its a pet hate of mine then you get the copper who wants to have a conversation about shooting how hes into shooting etc and hes getting a new tika rifle etc grrrr... check my details and **** off lol needless to say every fox in the area herd the conversation!

 

[Whitebeard]

never carry your fac with you in case your vehicle gets broken into or the certificate falls out the vehicle or what ever

You wont be saying that when you have your guns siezed, because you could not produce your original FAC when requested to do so by a police officer!!!

Ian.