Caledonian Classic Arms Vz58 M.A.R.S. - who has one?

[paulg25]

I have one but im with Surrey Police, i had an open slot for .222/556 rifle no action was listed

thanks

[phaedra1106]

I've had a call from Durham as well. I sold my Howa .308 and moderator last week so emailed Durham a copy of the sale notification in PDF format (as usual) last Thursday. Having had a think about what I wanted over the weekend I dropped my FAC and a Form 202 off by hand on Monday for the 2 free variations including a VZ58 MARS.
They just rang and asked if I could resend the email I sent last week as they couldn't find it as they need it to verify that they're free variations? wtfwtf .

I told her that all the information they needed was on the Form 202 so she didn't need it but I really don't think she understood.

No mention of the MARS action but no doubt (knowing Durham) I'll be getting another phone call about that as well.

I had similar problems when I asked for the 300aac Blackout, not on the NFLMS (despite them being sold all over the UK) so after much arguing the firearms manager suggested it went down as a "300" calibre. As I didn't know whether I would be getting a straight pull or something else I asked for the action type to be left off, despite telling her it's not required by the Home Office etc. she still insisted on putting an action type on and put "Bolt Action".

As it turned out I ended up with a Handi Rifle so had to get them to change it, even then they weren't happy with "Single Shot, Break Barrel" and insisted they could only put one of the other. They then said it would be at least 2 weeks for background checks despite the rifle already being listed on my FAC!, all they needed to do was change two words and re-print it!. I politely mentioned that if they hadn't insisted on putting the (not required) action type on in the first place none of this would be necessary, yet another waste of their budget resources.

[Blackstuff]

I'm starting to think there's no point being polite with them any more and just see what BASC can do ..... :roll:

[SevenSixTwo]

'Go ugly early'. It's always worked for me.

[Sim G]

Get a copy of the 2013 Guidance to Police printed off and quote it.

Likewise, never have the FEO come round and not have a copy of that guidance, the consolidated firearms acts and the firearms security handbook, printed and on the table next to the bickies....

Trust me, with nearly 40 on my ticket, if you can show that you know what you're talking about, have the documentation to show that and the testicular fortitude to back it up, if it's legal, you won't get knocked back!

[the running man]

Is this the trigger cooking double pull thing? Was chatting to member on Sunday that has one and is very very pleased with it.....so a+s don't have a problem with it....

Also good sound advice from sim g there....

[Blackstuff]

I have one but im with Surrey Police, i had an open slot for .222/556 rifle no action was listed

thanks

If you don't mind sharing, now that its on your certificate what is it listed as? Or is it still just in the hand written section of your FAC and hasn't been put in the official 'possessed' section?

As far as i'm concerned they aren't complying with the legisaltion or the new guidance, specifically 13.6;

“Good reason” should be neither confined to need nor equated with desire. Most firearm certificate holders possess firearms for reasons of their profession, sport, collectors or recreation, and may properly wish to exercise discretion as to what types of firearms they choose for these purposes. On the other hand, a simple wish to own a particular sort of firearm is not in itself “good reason” without further supporting evidence of intentions. Chief officers of police should be mindful of case law (Anderson v Neilans (1940) and Joy v Chief Constable of Dumfries and Galloway (1966)) which suggests that the chief officer should consider the application firstly “from the standpoint of the applicant rather than from that of a possible objector”. “Good reason” will need to be demonstrated for each firearm to be held under section 1 of the 1968 Act.

My emphasis

By forcing us to specify an action type (and specific cartridge, as oppposed to calibre) i'd say that they are limiting the discretion of the shooter to select a suitable firearm.

So thats Police Scotland, Surrey and Avon & Somerset, any more for the list?

[zanes]

It'll work like every other firearm acquisition of ever, aside from Durham:

Slot granted for "7.62x39 rifle".
7.62x39 MARS rifle bought; CCA write that in the table (1 x MARS Rifle, 7.62x39, Serial 123456)
When certificate next gets printed (renewal, variation or whatever) it goes in the firearms possessed bit with the action type (MARS) listed.

Durham are being "odd" and to everyone else it will work exactly the same as any other action type; much the same as bolt/pump action, self loading, muzzle loading etc etc. Why would it be any different?

I strongly suspect someone in Durham has decided they don't like "this sort of rifle".

Either continue to "play the game" with Durham or get BASC involved.

ETA: I slightly misinterpreted the intention of your last post, Blackstuff. Last two lines still stand.

[Blackstuff]

They done it with EVERY rifle and shotgun i've ever asked for, with the exception of my last FAC shotgun (see previous post). They have insisted that an action and cartridge (as opposed to calibre) is named before aquisition.

[phaedra1106]

Apparently they were on the news last night complaining about the amount of money it costs them to issue licences and it not being covered by the current fees. If they weren't so bloody useless and inefficient their costs would be a damn sight lower.

As Mark has said, it's not just the MARS system, they insist on exact chambering and action type being listed for every firearm. Move a few miles north or south so you come under Northumberland or Cleveland constabularies and it's completely different, 30cal rifle, target shooting whereas Durham want .308/7.62x51mm Bolt Action Rifle for target shooting as a member of xxxx club.