Handing gun in to police

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I have de-commisioned barrels by cutting along the chamber and the thread then lopping the chamber off . My feo sanctioned it once seen and it went into my scrap bin . Saved the costs and hassle to the police the three bits are effectively impossible to re-use in a firearm
 
M@tt said:
I haven't seen this legislation anywhere.

However there is a condition on the FAC that says you have to notify the police within 7 days if you destroy or have a firearm destroyed.
I think I'd section 34 of the 1997 amendment act.

Certainly implies that it can be destroyed before the police are notified.
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going by what a Kent FEO told me once.

I guess like a lot of firearms dealings each force may have different ideas.
 
Northants Police were very happy to take shotguns, knives, etc. a few months ago when I disposed of some items of little value from my brother’s estate. I rang firearms licensing and they told me which station to take them to. The civilian desk clerk took the shotguns in, recorded them and issued a receipt. All very easy.
 
Brian243 said:
Northants Police were very happy to take shotguns, knives, etc. a few months ago when I disposed of some items of little value from my brother’s estate. I rang firearms licensing and they told me which station to take them to. The civilian desk clerk took the shotguns in, recorded them and issued a receipt. All very easy.
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And no doubt went on their stats for the dangerous weapons they’ve bravely taken off our streets ….
 
Elshad said:
Have a damaged and worthless gun I want taken off my hands and off my ticket and all the RFDs in my area charge (~£25) for taking a gun in.

I was wondering if handing it in to the police would be a way of getting it off ticket for free?

Has anyone done this before?

Do they issue a receipt / write it on the FAC under the sold table?

I would be intending to apply for a one for one variation to use the slot for a new rifle
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When my FiL died we found a ‘deactivated’ shotgun that wasn’t deactivated but probably couldn’t fire (or would blow up if it did), so I hammered the barrels, dismantled the action and broke it down an took it into Aylesbury police station to hand it over.
I explained the situation and they gladly took it and disposed of it.
No issues whatsoever
 
My FEO took one or my guns away in a black bin liner when he came round for an interview and gave me a receipt for it. Very straightforward.
 
Our police (Lincoln) take them for free. Just had to make an appointment to ensure someone was available at the time to deal with it. Don't just turn up with it at reception!! Took around 20 mins to hand over and complete paperwork. RFD wanted £30 to dispose so took this option instead.
 
Thanks all for the advice - I will email the Met (they no longer operate a phone number) and see what they say
 
Update: Emailed Met FET (Firearms Enquiry Team), got a very quick reply saying they couldn’t help from their end but to contact my local police station and make enquiries myself…

Went to my local station, explained the situation and the constable behind the counter looked bewildered… he went behind to ask someone else and then came back and took my details and said someone would contact me tomorrow

I’m not holding out too much hope to be honest - if it seems like a dead end then I will go down the RFD route but I would quite like to test this first
 
Elshad said:
Update: Emailed Met FET (Firearms Enquiry Team), got a very quick reply saying they couldn’t help from their end but to contact my local police station and make enquiries myself…

Went to my local station, explained the situation and the constable behind the counter looked bewildered… he went behind to ask someone else and then came back and took my details and said someone would contact me tomorrow

I’m not holding out too much hope to be honest - if it seems like a dead end then I will go down the RFD route but I would quite like to test this first
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If no positive response contact the Home Secretary who ultimately is "in charge" of the Metropolitan Police


The Policing and Crime Act 2017 inserted section 55A into the 1968 Act, allowing the Secretary of State to issue guidance to chief officers of police as to the exercise oftheir functions under, or in connection with, the 1968 Act. Chief officers of police in England, Wales and Scotland must have regard to such guidance. This means that the Statutory Guidance must be taken into account, and if there is a decision to depart from it, there must be clear reasons to justify that departure on a case-by-case basis. This is important in order to achieve the consistency in police licensing practice which underpins the introduction of the Statutory Guidance for Chief Officers of Police on firearms licensing. This version of the Statutory Guidance, which comes into effect on 1 August 2025 replaces all previous versions.


See Chapter 24 regarding surrender of firearms. Whilst you can be "encouraged" that does not mean you can refused as "no obstacle" must constructed. That "obstacle" might be no RFD wanting to do such local to you or no RFD wanting to do so without levying a charge on you to do so.

Shooters are now paying much increased licencing fees...so I'd not be wanting to "pay again" as it were by paying an RFD to dispose of a firearm or shotgun held on any licence to which that much increased fee now applies.

24.2 No obstacle should be placed in the way of a person who wants to surrender firearms or ammunition to the police. Surrender might suggest illegal possession although this may not always be the case. Persons anxious to dispose of firearms and ammunition should be allowed to hand them in at a police station. Disposal might suggest unwanted/unusable firearms held on certificate although it is lawful to dispose of these through a registered firearms dealer (RFD) and owners should be encouraged to take this course to save police resources and realise the value of their items, particularly if they are of an historic or heritage nature. Firearms should either be disposed of through the police, or to a RFD.
 
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Update: After three visits to the police station, explaining the situation three different times to different members of staff, and being told each time that I would get a phone call or an email back - I’ve yet to hear anything

I suspect this is a complete waste of time.

I don’t mind paying the RFD fee but I feel like as a matter of principle the police should do their duty - unfortunately they don’t even seem to have a clue what to do… the person behind the counter makes up some new nonsense every time I go
 
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Elshad said:
Update: After three visits to the police station, explaining the situation three different times to different members of staff, and being told each time that I would get a phone call or an email back - I’ve yet to hear anything

I suspect this is a complete waste of time.

I don’t mind paying the RFD fee but I feel like as a matter of principle the police should do their duty - unfortunately they don’t even seem to have a clue what to do… the person behind the counter makes up some new nonsense every time I go
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Time to write to your MP and ask them to forward your letter to the Home Secretary who has responsible control over policing for the Metropolis aka London.
 
I just surrendered an old shotgun, I was told in no uncertain terms DO NOT cut the weapon up before taking it to the Police Station.

They gave me a signed disposal doc which I sent to licensing
 
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