The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

Kent seems to vary. It was recommended that I had an alarm if I wanted double figures. Which I did. Got a good deal on an ADT monitored alarm.

It was mentioned during my initial inspection that if I wanted more firearms than my current cabinets can hold (one cabinet 6 gun and another 9 gun), then I would need a monitored alarm.

Not tested statement that yet - just need more funds!!

Thanks for the responses guys,
Blu, the house does have 2 dogs, Springer Spaniels to be precise, frankly they are more likely to lick you to death than anything else.

I think I know where to take it from here, the fact is the 15 gun per property limit they seem to insist on was breached around 3 years ago with the separate collections of my Dad and I. Even before this variation they were permitting me to store 17 guns on my FAC. Also the fact that I am a SGC holder and can in theory just add even more guns onto that.

In terms of levels of security, the house is in a low crime rate area, there is a drive way that is well lit and overlooked. On top of the alarm and the house's own security and the cabinets, there is another locked feature to deny access. Frankly I can't see any need for a monitored alarm.

Then make you case to them in writing.

We've got a Welsh Springer and whilst he's a good alarm, I doubt he's a good guard dog. As you say they just want to make friends with everyone!

dave_303 wrote:Springer Spaniels to be precise, frankly they are more likely to lick you to death than anything else.

My dogs are the same, anyone or anything comes near the house and they kick up a racket. Let them out the door and they just want to be pals with everyone. Not needed so much as a deterrent where we are now but when we lived down State I reckon they would have been enough to deter folks like junkies from breaking into the home.

Blu

My dog, a terrier x corgi x something kicks off when anything comes near the house but she was at home during our recent burglary. Probably slept and farted the whole way through it, or was slipped a biscuit by the burglar. Came pretty close to savaging every copper that has subsequently been round.
I think she knows she is in disgrace.

Well the FLD called me again today, I went through everything that I have mentioned, we ended up in a continuous loop of,
'the guidance says you can't make me have a monitored alarm just on the number of guns there are in the house, what circumstance has changed that means there needs to be an increase in security'
'the change of circumstance is the number of guns in the house'
'But the guidance says you can't do that'
Then repeat, plus a bit where she practically called audible alarms useless and had to backtrack when I asked if that was the case then why did they insist on having one after there were 6 guns in the house.

It's now being passed over to BASC

I had a similar issue when I put a variation in to exceed my current cabinet capacity, (six for FAC and four SGC shared with the girly). Luckily my FLO is very experienced and argued my case with the new licensing manager along these lines.

1/ The owner is responsible for safe storage, if they are trusted to provide storage for one gun why not twenty?
2/ why should FAC storage requirements be different than those for SGC? In theory it would be possible to have an SGC granted after inspecting a three gun cabinet for the owner to go out the next day and buy 500 shotguns - again the owner is responsible for safe storage.
3/ a slot doesn't mean a firearm has been purchased, (I was told) systems are in place to flag up when the number of acquisitions exceed available capacity and a follow up will be auctioned.

Also the listed capacity can easily exceeded, my nominal storage capacity of ten currently houses fourteen guns as I'm currently lodging my mates shotguns for him as South Yorkshire police are currently taking around three months to process a renewal! I wonder if I was charging him if he would be able to claim his money back from them as it is their fault?

If you do finally decide to go down the monitored route, do NOT go with one of teh large national organisations. They will come in and rip out part of your existing and still charge full price. They will tie you in to a long contract.

Find a local alarm installer, they will come in and spend 1/2 day checking your existing install and tweaking it if needed, they will then take it on as a monitored system and a reasonable rate with a short term contract.