Firearms or weapons.

[breacher]

Having moved area, I have just had my FEO visit.

Did not start well, he took out my file and tut tutted at my ammunition allowance. He only saw sense when I explained I take part in 40 or more comps per year with some comps having 100 rd courses of fire.

Got worse when he checked firearms and make clear his disdain for my AR type rifles. The Vepr 12 almost induced a faint.

He then went on to advise me not to apply for "too many" variations as the Dept is busy. I replied that I would only apply for as many as I need.

I could not help but notice on the paperwork that all my firearms were listed as weapons. Firearm / weapon may be a pedantic distinction but I recall a FAC holder being told off by a Met FEO when he referred to a weapon. He was bluntly told he was permitted firearms for sporting use and mention of "weapons" would call into question his suitability to possess firearms.

Was going to mention it to him but I did not think the debate would be friendly !!

[Geordie bloke]

Sounds like his name was Derek. His wife has stopped his conjugal stuff. He has been passed over for any promotion. He has no personality. He has a small c*ck. He drives a Rover 25. He loves his Mum. He was bullied at school. He is bullied in the Police station by younger, prettier, handsomer people. He wanted to be a train driver when he was a boy, but his Dad wanted him to be an Accountant. He liked the idea of being an Accountant or perhaps an Estate Agent. He thinks that he is the most important/powerful person as he enters your door and has power over life and death. And more importantly - he is a knob!

[bradaz11]

easy

do you have a firearms licence, weapons licence or a weapons permit?

[ovenpaa]

Our FEO's refer to them as weapons (Beds & Herts)

[bradaz11]

Sounds like his name was Derek. His wife has stopped his conjugal stuff. He has been passed over for any promotion. He has no personality. He has a small c*ck. He drives a Rover 25. He loves his Mum. He was bullied at school. He is bullied in the Police station by younger, prettier, handsomer people. He wanted to be a train driver when he was a boy, but his Dad wanted him to be an Accountant. He liked the idea of being an Accountant or perhaps an Estate Agent. He thinks that he is the most important/powerful person as he enters your door and has power over life and death. And more importantly - he is a knob!

i had a manager called Derek, i think he must have left to be a FEO !

[Blackstuff]

They're refered to as weapons in the legislation, but the language of the legislation was written when a 'good reason' for owning a firearm was to use it was a weapon i.e. self-defence.

As certificates for S1 and S2 firearms cannot be granted for offensive or defensive purposes anymore, they are no longer weapons IMO.

A S1/S2 firearm can still be used as a weapon, but until that event occurs they are still just firearms.

[zanes]

I couldn't really care less about the weapon/firearm pedantry TBH.

It's not like the GCN/Green Party/anyone that's kicking off with an opinion will suddenly take note, sit down and stop hating us when an FAC holder explains that "they're firearms, not weapons".

Now, I wouldn't call them weapons myself, but if the FEO was pleasant and not as [...] as breacher has said it probably wouldn't rankle me too much.

Equally, if breacher's FEO had been pleasant, courteous and efficient but his paperwork had called them weapons?

It's a bit like the "It's not Road Tax, it's Emissions-linked Road Fund Licence*" cyclists- yes, you have a fair point but a) it's somewhat missing the point and b) it makes them look a bit knobbish.

All IMHO, of course! :)

*Or whatever it's actually called.

[breacher]

I dont care so much what they are called. Which is why I used the word pedantic.

I just find it ironic that some Depts claim that reference to weapons is indicative of the wrong attitude to firearms when other Depts use that very term.

[Mattnall]

Brian

Whereabouts in Herts are you. I'm in East Herts and the local FEO, Clive, is extremely pleasant, very fair and always takes an interest. The RFD liaison, Eddie, is also a stand up chap and he has to drive many miles to see me (he speaks highly of Christel - but I didn't hold that against him ).

I've never had a problem with Herts at all, even when they went with Beds and now with Cambs. I have 5 ARs on my personal FAC and they have no problems with that (most of my rifles are black even the one that is green), and I have lost count of the 22 RF rifles I have (just checked - it's 4 + spare slot, and a 22conv kit).

Did you offer the FEO the right biscuits with his tea?

[breacher]

I was in Herts - now Cambs.

I found the staff in Herts to be great but had a major problem with the Manager. He revoked me back in 2007 and I defended myself in Crown Court. There he did not like being cross examined by myself and when I proved that he was a little creative in his revocation report to his Ch Supt, he lost his composure and had to be calmed by the Judge. I heard he had an "interview without coffee" with huz boss the following day.

The FEO here was friendly enough - dont get me wrong. He had my best filter coffee and a chat - he shoots foxes and muntjac. But he just gave the impression that anyone wanting more than one rifle was a pain. And clearly did not like black rifles.

He must be very unhappy in his job if he has to go about dealing with people, many of whom possess rifles he does not approve of and dealing with variations which he views as a problem rather than the very reason for bis job !