Handing gun in to police

[Elshad]

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

 

[wytonpjs]

Post in thread 'Scraping firearm'

Jul 21, 2024

Any Derbyshire Police station WITH AN OPEN ENQUIRY OFFICE will take a firearm for destruction. All the staff are well trained in what to do. There is no charge for this service.

I also know the Countryman Of Derby will accept firearms for destruction. There is a charge for this service because they have to dispose of the firearms which takes time.

So cutting it up, to hand in isn’t entirely necessary. But can give peace of mind.

• scotch_egg

• 

 

[Lever357]

I think it depends where you are in the country. I was advised my local force is no longer accepting them and they have to be taken to a gunsmith, who charges up to £100 to destroy and inform the police

 

[2-dead-in-the-air]

Cut it up, take photos, send details to the firearms as destroyed, they have two weeks to come and see or ask for details ( photos ) then scrap metal bin.
Then go buy another.

 

[Kjm041]

I handed an old shotgun into my local station. There was some paperwork involved but was straightforward enough. I’d try that first. They can but say no

 

[disco_ike]

I spoke to my FEO, he said Gwent still took them handed in. so wandered to local station, handed in. woman behind the counter gave me a form showing I had handed them in. I sent a copy of the form to the FLT and all sorted.

You appear to be London based so I would go in without them and check they will take them.... don't want the trigger happies charging in behind you cause someone gets the wrong end of the stick.

 

[Greenmist]

I'd ring the station first, so they know a person will be coming in with a gun

 

[enfieldspares]

Yes. I have done two in Leicestershire within the last six months and for the exact same reason. No longer in good or safe working order and in today's market worthless. On one I kept the wooden stock as that is useful as a spare (it was a Webley 9mm Garden Gun) on the other I surrendered the thing as it was (a Spanish single barrel 12 bore).

The process took about half an hour and

1)
I telephoned the Firearms Licensing Department to ask which police station was their "designated police station" for taking in such things. And that it wasn't needed to pre-arrange an appointment...just walk in.

2)
When going to said police station I left the gun secure in my car and walked in and told them what I wanted to do and THEN with them now aware went and fetched the gun and brought it in.

3) I got what was logged as an "Incident Number" and the collar number of the person that took the gun in and then advised the disposal to my Firearms Licensing Department using their online facility to register or report a fireams disposal.

NOTE YOU MUST WITHIN X DAYS REPORT SUCH DISPOSAL - HANDING IT IN DOES NOT OBVIATE THE REQUIREMENT TO ALSO REPORT THE DISPOSAL.

 

[enfieldspares]

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

No. They will on request issue a piece of paper with an incident number and the collar number of the person involved plus, of course, the time and date of the "incident". Hope that helps. I did take my SGC in with me and had that also noted on the paper they gave me.

The sold table is for the person selling and transferring to you a gun. For them to write their name and address particulars and the gun's details in. Not for you to note disposal of your gun listed on that, your FAC/SGC, from you to any third party.

 

[disco_ike]

Gwent police issued me a reciept with my certificate number. All the details from Table 1 and all my conract details so yes they should issue you a reviept

 

[Radstorm]

Best bet is speak to your local firearms licensing team - get the information from the ones who will process it and if your told any thing different at a front counter you can ask them to clarify with firearms licensing (if they said bring it down the station)

If you do cut it up start with the breach/chamber first not shortening the barrels - you don’t want to be making a sawn off (I joke but seriously cut the important bit first)

 

[M@tt]

You can destroy it yourself, as mentioned above.

I'm always worried that handing it in to the police and getting an incident number could lead to it being listed as another firearm 'off the streets' in published statistics.

 

[8x57]

Gwent police issued me a receipt with my certificate number. All the details from Table 1 and all my correct details so yes they should issue you a receipt.

Same here on the two occasions that I have handed in firearms at a Gwent police station.
It was a simple matter then to quote the receipt number when applying for a 1-4-1.

 

[B&W FOX]

Handed a .22 hornet in over the counter in Aylesbury, gave them variation paperwork for a 1 4 1 for another .22 hornet which I got back in 2 days all free of charge.

 

[8x57]

You can destroy it yourself, as mentioned above.

I'm always worried that handing it in to the police and getting an incident number could lead to it being listed as another firearm 'off the streets' in published statistics.

The recommendation is that you do not destroy it yourself (from BASC I believe) as it must be identifiable, i.e. any identifying marks should be clearly visible.

Yes they did include the one firearm I surrendered in their statistics as there was a surrender campaign running at the time, but they asked permission to do so.

 

[Liveonce]

if destroying it I think you also need to give prior knowledge to the FEO so they can be present when you cut it up if they want to witness it, and photos before and after including serial numbers etc.

best bet is to ring 101 ask them to make an appointment for you to hand it into the police, they will also inform you of the station you need to take into.

 

[Ben_10]

to remove all doubt and uncertainty is it not easier to just pay the £25 and have it done with? A Potential situation you don’t want to end up in can be avoided for £25?

 

[Stevie/P]

As time goes by it will become more difficult to get rid of firearms for free the days of going to local cop shop have gone as most front desk staff are civilians are not authorised to issue recipient on behalf of the police for firearms.
Be prepared to pay for the privilege of disposing of unwanted guns it will become more expensive as people give up their guns.

 

[padge]

rang Norfolk licensing , they said pop round this afternoon. A lad checked serial number gave me a receipt . that easy !

 

[M@tt]

if destroying it I think you also need to give prior knowledge to the FEO so they can be present when you cut it up if they want to witness it, and photos before and after including serial numbers etc.

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.