Merseyside Police carry out inspection at Anfield gun club

[Sim G]

That is a lot of people who have been let down...

[HH1]

There's also been mention in this thread that the club has shareholders. So it's also run as a business? That just compounds the notion that management is the issue. But I imagine there will be all sorts of deflecting from where the blame lies.

There is a Limited Company that owns the building .

The shareholders for this company comprise the following .

Members who either loaned money or stood as guarantors for the bank loan to buy the building when the existing landlord tried to evict the club.
Members who loaned the club money when the MDC tried to compulsory purchase the club building.
Members who over time have contributed many hours of hard work in building maintainance.

.... and R.T. as an individual holds by far the largest number of shares.... and by default a considerable amount of power.

[HH1]

That is a lot of people who have been let down...

Very much so!

Aintree has 250 members. Fulwood 170.... not sure of the membership quotas for the other clubs such as Grange (West Kirby) or Warrington clubs.... but I very much doubt they can absorb the number of people that currently attend Aintree.

I'll probably be at the club this Wednesday even though we have been told that we will not be able to shoot our guns......

[MistAgain]

But I imagine there will be all sorts of deflecting from where the blame lies.

Very true .

Considering the failings and the strange behaviour by Merseyside Police there are more than a few "reasonably minded shooters"
who suspect a hidden agenda exists or that there have been faults by both parties .

[Chapuis]

That is a lot of people who have been let down...

Very much so!

Aintree has 250 members. Fulwood 170.... not sure of the membership quotas for the other clubs such as Grange (West Kirby) or Warrington clubs.... but I very much doubt they can absorb the number of people that currently attend Aintree.

I'll probably be at the club this Wednesday even though we have been told that we will not be able to shoot our guns......

Accepting that the club has had its H.O. approval removed is there any other reason why members cannot use the range?

1. Is the actual range up to a recognised accepted standard regarding safety?
2. Do you have adequate insurance cover?
3. Do you have your own personal firearms and ammunition?
4. Would you have permission to use the range/premise?
5. Has any form of prohibition notice been served on the building?

Many private ranges operate without H.O. approval within the restraints of the law.

[HH1]

That is a lot of people who have been let down...

Very much so!

Aintree has 250 members. Fulwood 170.... not sure of the membership quotas for the other clubs such as Grange (West Kirby) or Warrington clubs.... but I very much doubt they can absorb the number of people that currently attend Aintree.

I'll probably be at the club this Wednesday even though we have been told that we will not be able to shoot our guns......

Accepting that the club has had its H.O. approval removed is there any other reason why members cannot use the range?

1. Is the actual range up to a recognised accepted standard regarding safety?
2. Do you have adequate insurance cover?
3. Do you have your own personal firearms and ammunition?
4. Would you have permission to use the range/premise?
5. Has any form of prohibition notice been served on the building?

Many private ranges operate without H.O. approval within the restraints of the law.

1. Is the actual range up to a recognised accepted standard regarding safety? I don't believe there were any problems raised regarding safety
2. Do you have adequate insurance cover? I have my own personal "Shooter's Rights" insurance cover
3. Do you have your own personal firearms and ammunition? Personally, yes including sect. 1 shotguns and LBR / LBP
4. Would you have permission to use the range/premise? This is something that is being looked into
5. Has any form of prohibition notice been served on the building? Not as far as I am aware
I'm also a qualified RCO.

[Sim G]

Considering the failings and the strange behaviour by Merseyside Police there are more than a few "reasonably minded shooters .

I’m curious as to what has been defined as strange behaviour and failings of the police?

[MistAgain]

The Aintree Pistol Club website has now been updated . www.aintreepistolclub.org.uk

For those who do not like to visit strange websites this is the info bit .

THIS WEB SITE IS AS UP-TO-DATE AS I CAN KEEP IT – Roger Taylor

Monday 8th July : If the police contact you – be nice – ask for their name, rank and number and make a note of what they say. Shortly we should be able to record this information here and get an overall view of what’s going on.

Monday 8th July : Contrary to the rumours flying about, we were not raided by the SAS, with infantry and tank battalions as back-up. However, on the evening of the 20th June we were ‘visited’ by the police, without prior notice, ostensibly to do a routine Home Office Approval check – like the same one a couple of ladies did in January, only this time with some six or more uniformed officers, three or four Registry staff, two fire bobbies and a traffic cop.

On the 4th July they rang from outside the club to tell me to read my emails, and there was one from the Home Office revoking out Home Office Approval. I was to go to the club immediately. Quite what would have happened had I not been available, I don’t know, but let that pass. When I arrived some 10 officers under the instruction of Mrs Hassall removed all the club’s guns and ammo, and a few other things as well. I haven’t had a receipt yet, incidentally, but it was very big.

I fully appreciate that everyone who’s caught wind of this via Chinese whispers is very alarmed, because it is very serious, affecting, as it does, everyone’s FACs, but my focus has been totally on getting a reply back to the Home Office asap. That done, we will knock this web site into shape, get the links working so you can come for the rumour-free truth. I will keep you as up-to-date as I can, but, as you will appreciate, the situation is very fluid.

In the mean time you can write to your MP, the PCC, the Home Secretary, to express your dismay at the police’s unprecedented conduct, after over 40 years of excellent relations with them. If you’re upset, tell someone, but keep your language moderate and calm and your arguments reasoned. Under no circumstances resort to abuse.

[Gazza]

So what is the reason for the revocation and confiscation? or did I miss it somewhere?
Its a bit much to ask people to hassle police/MP's etc without knowing why they are hassling them!

And no receipts for goods taken???
I take it the whole operation was recorded on film?

[MistAgain]

So what is the reason for the revocation and confiscation? or did I miss it somewhere?
Its a bit much to ask people to hassle police/MP's etc without knowing why they are hassling them!

And no receipts for goods taken???
I take it the whole operation was recorded on film?

If you dont mind visiting a horrible gun related website ,
you will see copies of the Home Office letter and the responce .