Bit of a dilemma?

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Tommygunn
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Bit of a dilemma?

#1 Post by Tommygunn »

OK, it's a serious question I have for you albeit with a heavy heart.

Things aren't going so well at home for me at the moment and I strongly suspect I could be getting divorce papers served in the not too distant future. With this in mind, would it be paranoid of me to consider lodging my guns with an RFD for a little while? To put things in a little more context my wife isn't so well at the moment, has had something of a breakdown and is, I think, likely to be setting things in train. It doesn't help that her mother has come to stay and is very much in the anti camp and quite frankly I wouldn't put it past her to twist the knife if she could, (but then I wouldn't put it past her to be the driving force in all of this anyway). I would add that all is very much secure including the keys, as it should be.

I really don't want us to split but I don't think my opinion matters much any more.

Reading it back I've already half convinced myself but how much I should expect to pay for storage?
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Re: Bit of a dilemma?

#2 Post by saddler »

Phone around a few RFDs

Explain the situation & see who offers the best option.

I'd also keep their going into storage to yourself: as I've heard of similar divorces turning nasty, allegations of threats made, police called etc.
Cert. holder simply produced RFD receipt.
Police took VERY dim view of malicious false claims against cert. holder

Hope it pans out...been there, worn the t-shirt
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Tommygunn
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Re: Bit of a dilemma?

#3 Post by Tommygunn »

I hear what you're saying Saddler, there are a number of steps I now need to take, not least seeking legal advice, but rest assured anything I do will, for the moment, be below the radar - though surreptitiously emptying 3 cabinets of rifles and shotguns could be a challenge.

I have a couple of contacts who might be able to help me with this. I was really just trying to justify in my own head that it was a worthwhile exercise - I think I'm there now that I read back my own words if you like.
I have learned from my mistakes, and I am sure I can repeat them exactly - Peter Cook
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Re: Bit of a dilemma?

#4 Post by bradaz11 »

its better to do it, and not need to have done it, than not do it, and wish that you had.....

if you a have a friendly local RFD, you could probably even book them out for a few hors to use, without bugging them a bit too much.

but i would do it

as for emptying the cabinets, maybe do it over the next few weeks, few guns at a time like if you were going to shoot them etc
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Re: Bit of a dilemma?

#5 Post by Swamphog »

Tommygunn wrote: Things aren't going so well at home for me at the moment and I strongly suspect I could be getting divorce papers served in the not too distant future. With this in mind, would it be paranoid of me to consider lodging my guns with an RFD for a little while?
I'm very sorry to read about your situation, Tommy. For what it's worth, in my opinion it wouldn't be paranoid to shift your guns into RFD storage, but a very rational and prudent course of action. Re. the storage costs; I don't know what these might be, but I wouldn't have thought they'd be that high. After all, how much work is involved for the RFD? Filling out the details in his register, and giving you a receipt? After that, they are just locked in his gun room, but aren't really costing him a penny to keep.

Re. trying to get them out of the house without anyone else knowing; I wouldn't bother if anyone knew or not; I'd shift the lot, toot sweet - and the tooter the better. Once they're out of your keeping, you can't be accused of any wrong-doing with them, can you?

Oddly enough, only last night I posted a link to an article about a talk given by a specialist firearms barrister called Peter Glenser.

http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/shooting/7- ... cate-16054

In the talk, which he gave at the 'Bisley Live' event in 2011, he described an actual case, where a couple were in the process of getting divorced, and the wife told the police that her husband had threatened her with one of his guns the previous evening. The husband, fearing something of the sort, had put all his guns into storage with an RFD some weeks earlier, and had the receipt and the RFD's register to prove it. Otherwise, he could not only have had his FAC revoked, but also been facing a stretch inside, too.

I hope you come through it all okay, Tommy.

HTH, and with best wishes,

Jack
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Ovenpaa
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Re: Bit of a dilemma?

#6 Post by Ovenpaa »

If there is the slightest doubt put them into storage. Charges are going to be down to the RFD and the relationship you have with them, as an example we are usually happy to look after customer guns FOC however we can only accept a finite number, other RFD's seem to be anywhere between the same as and upwards and a fiver a month is often mentioned (Per firearm)

Best things is ask and hopefully everything will turn out OK for you both, as saddle says been there and got the T shirt...
/d

Du lytter aldrig til de ord jeg siger. Du ser mig kun for det tøj jeg har paa ...

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Chuck
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Re: Bit of a dilemma?

#7 Post by Chuck »

Sorry to hear that Tommygunn but as the others say - do it.

DO it when they are out of course if you can but better safe than sorry.

Hope it sorts itself out though. Chuck
Political Correctness is the language of lies, written by the corrupt , spoken by the inept!
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Re: Bit of a dilemma?

#8 Post by johngarnett »

Tommygunn, Sorry re your situation. Been there etc...!!

Yes, lodge with RFD. You can still access them for shoots.

Keep notes / diary from now on. Might seem childish and pedantic but it helped me. Also consider your firearms value. When any financial agreement is to be reached the 'ladies' of the world love to get you where it hurts MOST... the gun safes! Just remember, all rifles cost a max of £100!!!

I wish you good fortune. There is light at the end of the darkest tunnels.

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Re: Bit of a dilemma?

#9 Post by JRN »

Having been there you have my sympathies, and suggest you do lodge your prized possessions with your preferred RFD ASAP also notify your firearms officer, there is no harm in this, it shows you are taking sensible steps, also as suggested keep written records of everything said or done, by whom, when and were. It may seem OTT but it will probably be to your advantage at some stage. Also speak with a solicitor who deals with matrimonial issues, I appreciate such advice does not come cheap, the lack of it can be bloody expensive, some do a cut price initial interview.

These can seem like lonely times, but seeking the right advice and help early will help.

Best of luck.
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Dangermouse
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Re: Bit of a dilemma?

#10 Post by Dangermouse »

As above, but also have you considered what you are likely to be doing long term?

To explain, are you likely to keep the house? If not then long term you need to find accommodation for your firearms. If you are not in a possition to buy a house you may well be looking at rental and you will be lucky to find a land lord that will let you put a cabinet on the wall.
My initial reaction was to lodge with a RFD but 6 months down the line I have now rented a safe at a club at Bisley. Not ideal but at least I can shoot them should I ever be financially in a position to purchase ammunition again!

DM
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