Re-locating or Installing a New Gun Cabinet

[Zilberbak]

Question:

Is it a legal requirement to advise a Firearms Department if you re-locate an existing cabinet or install a new cabinet in another part of your house and do you have to wait for them to visit to check out the cabinet before you use it?

Answer:

I have been told by an FEO that is?

Does anybody else know of this as it was news to me?

[phaedra1106]

Yes, you have to notify any changes to your storage/security even if you're improving it :)

Most forces will just accept notification and not physically check until renewal time, others will want to come out and inspect asap.

[Zilberbak]

Where is it written that you have to let them know as I have looked through the revised HO Guidelines and can't find it or is it in the legislation itself?

[phaedra1106]

It's what I was told by my FEO, that said, I am under Durham and it may only be enforceable if you change address.

[Daryll]

Back in January when my FAC was renewed, I told the visiting FEO that I was planing on moving my cabinet from one part of the house to another. I explained where and how it would be fixed, and she was happy with that, and didn't even want to see the new position.

This was in Cambs.

[Tomo]

I installed a second cabinet next to my first one and just emailed Bedfordshire to let them know. I never got a reply but about 6 months later when I put in for a variation I recevied a phone call from the office asking me how I was storing 8 firearms in a 5-7 cabinet?! I explained about the extra cabinet and said I still had a copy of the email I'd sent them. They were fine about it all, said they didn't need to see the new cabinet and I got my variation through a few days later.

[saddler]

No legal requirement to inform, or seek prior permission, or the like

LOCAL FEO's may beg to differ = but they are just trying to force LOCAL policy onto folk (akin to supplementary forms, extra medicals, etc.)

[Blackstuff]

While there is no piece of legislation or guidance that specifically says, "You must inform/seek approval from your FLD to re-locate your cabinet/safe", it IS a lawful requirement that your guns are stored securely, ergo, if the place you have your cabinet now was checked as being satisfactory, then you change the location, don't tell the FLD and you have your safe broken into/ripped off the wall and it is found that the wall wasn't suitable/the new location made it easier etc, then you're in the do-do (IMO).

It's usually basic common* sense that tells you if somewhere will make a good/solid anchor point for a cabinet, therefore if you're confident that it is such a location, then IMO there is no need to inform the FLD. If you're not sure, or you just want to cover your backside, tell them/get advice before moving it.


*Often not that common

[Zilberbak]

Thanks for the replies as it sort of confirms that there is no definitive requirement. I was told that it was an offence and was in breach of the conditions of my FAC but he would not pursue it. The only thing l could find was that in the HO guidelines in security splitting of locations of cabinets was considered a recommended strategy. All my cabinets are well hidden and was a bit taken aback that l was in breach of my FAC especially as the visit was three weeks after expiry of my old one and l was being handed it by the FEO.

[saddler]

Thanks for the replies as it sort of confirms that there is no definitive requirement. I was told that it was an offence and was in breach of the conditions of my FAC but he would not pursue it. The only thing l could find was that in the HO guidelines in security splitting of locations of cabinets was considered a recommended strategy. All my cabinets are well hidden and was a bit taken aback that l was in breach of my FAC especially as the visit was three weeks after expiry of my old one and l was being handed it by the FEO.

Oh - blame transference. Never mind....
Am I to take it that you did NOT have a temporary Section 7 permit to possess?