The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

The police have always had the option of random checks, you don't have to let them in if it's not convenient to do so, though being obstructive won't be viewed well. All the NRA mail has done, is highlight that it can happen, and you can get (rightfully) revoked if your firearms are not secure, obviously, if you are cleaning, drying etc, then that's fine, but ammo lying around the place and a gun propped up by the door won't go down well.

I do know, from a very reputable source, that 10 constabularies are about to get audited, dip sampling will be carried out, so, it's likely that there will be a few visits going on soon.

Also, please be aware, FEO's do scan the forums, and this is a topic likely to be of interest, slating them isn't going to please them is it ? A little caution in your words maybe ?

Can you name the 10 forces ? You saying that there will be random calls but the home office guidance States only if there is Intel ?? Confused.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dLdoZMnmhs from the USA - officers kicked off property!

Own judgement advised.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDCXzqgD99o ...NO THANK YOU!

joe wrote:Can you name the 10 forces ? You saying that there will be random calls but the home office guidance States only if there is Intel ?? Confused.com

No, I can't. I'm not at liberty to I'm afraid.

I'm not saying random visits, but it is policy to 'dip sample' anyway, and with audits going on, there 'is a (higher than usual) chance' of visits. No different than normal though. The police should be dip sampling anyway. It's literally 'luck of the draw' and they are well within their rights to do so, IF it isn't inconvenient to the holder.

It's as much the Licencing dept being checked out as it is anybody 'dipped', and, like I said, as long as you have stuff secured as it should be, then there is no issues to worry about at all. I don't see why people are getting all stressed about it.

An FAC is granted when the COoP is satisfied that the holder is no danger to public safety or the peace, there are mandatory conditions to meet, and they are only doing the job they don't even get paid lots for, to ensure the safety of the public and that the law is being followed.

If your guns are out, and the cleaning kit is too, why would that be an issue ?

If it's leaning up against the wall 'because your shooting later tonight' but still wearing your work suit and tie at 1745hrs, or it's been left in the car, then it will be, as it should be secured. It's simple really.

The Police love citizens who dont know their rights and are submissive and compliant. I say this having done the job.

Ever heard the phrase " Accompany me to the station and answer a few questions" ?? Translation - I dont have a power of arrest but I will rely on you not knowing that and voluntarily coming in. Or "Mind if we come in for a chat ?" As they pass you having already entered !!

Or the officer last year who saw a camo jacket on my passenger seat and decided to open the tailgate of my jeep for an legal search without any request or declaration. Just another Paddy in a pikey pajero, he wont know his rights. When I asked him afterwards what power of search he used and pointed out I had recorded the incident on my smart phone, he nearly shat himself. He stuttered something about camo jacket and there might have been a firearm in the back. He was clearly well used to searching without any real grounds. It was all so casually done !! Because the last 100 illegal searches were on people who submitted - it must be legal if the police officer says it is.

We are sleepwalking into a very scary situation. And this random checks thing is just another step.

I'll say it again....


The power to do a random home check has always been there.


It's just been highlighted by somebody getting caught out and bleating to the NRA, who sent out this email to some people. I say some, as I never had one, but regularly get them from the NRA.

I've been randomly visited before, showed my cabinets, quick check of serial numbers, done.

Swamp Donkey wrote:I'll say it again....


The power to do a random home check has always been there.


It's just been highlighted by somebody getting caught out and bleating to the NRA, who sent out this email to some people. I say some, as I never had one, but regularly get them from the NRA.

I've been randomly visited before, showed my cabinets, quick check of serial numbers, done.

What "power" are you referring to ?

If you mean turn up and ASK to check - yes they have always had that option. Its not a power. Powers are granted by legislation or by warrant.

The difference is you can turn them away if they have no POWER to enter.

Like I said, so many dont know their rights or the limitations or even what "powers" are !!

Those who take the view that they've nothing to hide and therefore governmental dismantling of freedom is OK - you are the same as those who said, "ban handguns! I don't shoot them so why do I care?"

This matters because in the end the government will find something you DO care about, and attack that.

What if some Muppet decided you can't wear pink underwear, and we're doing spot checks to see. Still fine?

It is the principle of the thing. How can you support measures which remove your freedom, don't give the public any security, and cost us ALL more money in tax?

The logical extension of this is Soviet style communism, because eventually we give all our money to the State, which tells us what we can and cannot do. As Dark Skies so aptly said, this is all in the last 30 years. Governments now have no principles, they have no beliefs. They do whatever the mob wants.

Dear Politicians - a successful democracy guards the rights of the few from the Mob. So start acting like it! As a minority member, I am fed up with being suspected And criminalized by the Government for doing something which is legal, enjoyable and teaches responsibility.

That is why when new things are announced that further impinge on my rights, I am angry about it, and my stance is usually somewhere on the far side of 'f*** off'.

Note, earlier I used the words 'your sort'. This was not meant in a derogatory manner, I was simply being concise.

Mr_Logic wrote:Those who take the view that they've nothing to hide

I take that view

Mr_Logic wrote:and therefore governmental dismantling of freedom is OK

Doesn't follow from me having nothing to hide

Mr_Logic wrote:you are the same as those who said, "ban handguns! I don't shoot them so why do I care?"

No I'm not and I do find that VERY offensive - why on earth would it follow that by having nothing to hide I would want handguns banned?

Mr_Logic wrote: What if some Muppet decided you can't wear pink underwear, and we're doing spot checks to see. Still fine?

If you want to look at my underwear feel free - but you'll probably regret it tongueout Its black by the way!

Mr_Logic wrote:It is the principle of the thing. How can you support measures which remove your freedom, don't give the public any security, and cost us ALL more money in tax?

What thing? What measures? We don't know what Blackstuff has alluded to and until tomorrow we won't know - lots of people have just assumed things so far. I just don't have anything to hide and don't have a problem with existing rules. I would certainly be happier if rules were relaxed in certain areas and I would certainly like to see handguns back but I don't feel my freedom has been removed.

Mr_Logic wrote:That is why when new things are announced that further impinge on my rights, I am angry about it, and my stance is usually somewhere on the far side of 'f*** off'.

And if further things are announced that further impinge on your rights then by all means be angry - but as far as I can see nothing has been announced yet. Blackstuff has said something is being announced tomorrow and so why not wait and see what it is before getting upset?

love

Karen

Chuck wrote:If people REALLY and truly believe they "have nothing to hide" then let's see the webcams in the bedrooms 24/7, no darkness, all curtains and blinds gone, no doors on the bog, your bank card info and pin codes etc on here - oh wait, so you DO have something to hide then!
!

Feel free . . . as I said I have nothing to hide. But you would be very bored, very odd and there's sod all in my bank account so knock yourself out :lol:

Love

Karen