Open Days - Associations

[hitchphil]

As a separate thread to the other Guest vs Open day threads. ..... stay on topic people as these threads become valuable FAQs to clubs.

Could a properly constituted & affiliated 'Association' (County Rifle Assoc) hold an Open day? could it get approval from the H.O. to hold say 2 off pa?

If not then if it organised a 'guest day' - could it not consider that any member of any affiliated club can bring a guest 'personally known to them'?

Cheers

[subvers10n]

Hi,

My club (WNSC) holds an annual open day (for the general public) as well as monthly guest days (for FAC holders / members of others clubs).

I'm afraid I'm not sure of the processes and procedures that are followed to be able to do this, but it's certainly possible.

I hope that helps a little bit...

[karen]

Officially no as only NRA can hold a true "Open Day" according to the Home Office (and the NRA have to ask their permission).

If a county association (which I imagine would need to be Home Office Approved) wants to go and ask the Home Office and see what they say then it might be interesting but what's wrong with holding "guest days"?

Best to talk to your local Firearms Dept first and see what they say.

love

Karen

[karen]

Oh and rules are slightly different (ie easier) if you are shooting .22 or shotgun or air.

Talk to your Firearms Dept

Love

Karen

[Thorney]

The question is whether you run it under your club or not. As a HO approved club you are restricted as to guest days only, however as an owner/occupier of land you can allow non FAC owners to shoot such guns that are covered under the estate rifle section.

[Chapuis]

The question is whether you run it under your club or not. As a HO approved club you are restricted as to guest days only, however as an owner/occupier of land you can allow non FAC owners to shoot such guns that are covered under the estate rifle section.

I would be very careful with regard to using the estate rifle exemption, it is an exemption that is very often misunderstood. BASC have a pretty good explanation of it on their website but it's still worth seeking expert guidance on it first as there are still some grey areas that even ACPO and the H.O. aren't in agreement over. The feeling I get reading the reports of the ACPO firearms meetings is that they would like to see it tested in court for a deliberation. I for one wouldn't want to be the one that they test their theories on in court.

[Gaz]

Surely the .22 gallery exemption could be used by an association for an open day in the sense people are talking about here? It wouldn't matter where the rifles come from, provided they're .22" so as to fall within the exemption.

[Swamp Donkey]

Borrowed rifles on private premises
6.21 Section 16(1) of the 1988 Act enables a person over the age of seventeen to borrow a rifle from the occupier of private premises and to use it on those premises in the presence of either the occupier or their servant without holding a firearm certificate in respect of that rifle. It should be noted that this gives slightly more flexibility in the use of a borrowed rifle than is permissible with the use of a shotgun as described in paragraph 6.18, in that the borrowed rifle can also be used in the presence of the servant of the occupier.
6.22 The occupier and/or their servant must hold a firearm certificate in respect of the firearm being used, and the borrower, who must be accompanied by the certificate holder (whether it is the occupier or their servant), must comply with the conditions of the certificate. These may include a safekeeping requirement and, in some cases, territorial restrictions. It is also a requirement where the borrower is seventeen that the occupier
or servant is eighteen or over – this was inserted by SI 2010/1759. Section 57(4) of the 1968 Act defines “premises” as including any land. The effect of the provision is to allow a person visiting a private land to borrow and use a rifle without a certificate. The exemption does not extend to persons under the age of seventeen or to other types of firearm. There is no notification required on the loan of a firearm under these circumstances. A borrowed rifle should not be specifically identified as such on a “keeper’s” or “landowner’s” firearm certificate. The term “in the presence of” is not defined in law but is generally interpreted as being within sight or earshot.

This, obviously wouldn't apply to ranges, unless privately owned and using the owners, or servant of the owners, firearms, in the presence of said owner/servant assuming that they hold the licence for said firearms and within the conditions applicable.

[Chapuis]

Surely the .22 gallery exemption could be used by an association for an open day in the sense people are talking about here? It wouldn't matter where the rifles come from, provided they're .22" so as to fall within the exemption.

Not sure that you would be on the right lines there Gaz. Are you thinking of the rules regarding miniature rifle clubs?