Removing bolts from rifles?

[zanes]

Its a condition on my FAC that the bolt has to be stored separately.

Looks like you have to do that then, or ask them to alter the conditions.

Could be an NI specific thing?

[channel12]

In a legal context the words "should" and "must" are not interchangeable however must people think they mean the same thing. In my working life I was responsible for enforcing certain legislation and when writing to a duty holder the form of words was important.

If I wrote "you should" it meant it was good practice but there was no specific piece of legislation requiring you to do it.

If I wrote "you must" then there was a legal obligation to do it and I would cite the exact regulations.


If your feo tells you you should do something ask them to put in writing, they won't because they know there's no legal basis for their request only their prejudices.


The purposes of our secure storage is to prevent access by the opportunist burglar looking for cash and valuables. He doesn't want to spend hours trying to force your cabinet, it's a case of in, grab and out. If somebody wants to steal your guns then they break in when you are at home and offer violence to you and your family to give them everything. Storing your bolts separately isn't going help in that case is it?

[ordnance]

Could be an NI specific thing?

Could be.

[legs748]

It's the old tale of telling the difference between "guidance" and "law". I was "recommended" by my feo to store bolts seperately, I decline to do this as this recommendation has no basis in actual law, and doing so in the past for reasons of space necessity led to damage to my bolts. However whenever my rifles leave the house the bolts are separated and kept on my person for the duration of the trip, unless the rifle is actually in use.

My brother has just been through the grant process and got caught up in this guidance vs law business which led to a massive delay and him only being granted a third of the slots he asked for.

[walesdave]

Yep - twice had to remind Gwent police of the difference between guidance and law; once at first grant, then 10 years later at a renewal.

Give them credit where due - both times they backed down without too much trouble.