Strange request from Hampshire FEO

[Egg on Leggs1]

If I am reading this correctly, they are asking for a bill of sale for an illegal activity?

[ColinR]

There was nothing illegal here. I bought the lad a rifle against an entry on my FAC and gifted it to him as I am entitled to do and he is entitled to receive it - I believe the minimum age to receive the gift of a firearm is 14. I notified Wiltshire Police that I had gifted the rifle off of my FAC and he advised Hampshire Police that he had received it as a gift. He had a slot to acquire a .303 rifle and the firearm detail subsequently noted on his returned FAC. They have all the information provided as prescribed.

Given that Hampshire knew the DoB of this lad, had there been any question of inappropriate activity at this point i.e. that he might have purchased a rifle in his own right under the age of eighteen then they had every opportunity to question the facts then. As it is he applied for this variation about five months ago and this is the first he has heard from Hampshire Police, so who knows what their agenda is. Given the general heavy hand the Police use for any Licence infringements I would have thought an unannounced visit would have happened long before this, so one would assume there is nothing for Hampshire to hang their hat on.

Fundamentally we don't know what Hampshire are thinking and I will attend his meeting with the FEO on Tuesday armed with the good advice given here and once all is clear, and if a problem, refer the matter to Iain at the NRA - at the moment everything is either conjecture or Hampshire being their usual difficult selves.

I'll post a follow up when the real facts are known.

Thanks to all. Colin

[Mezzer]

Colin;

Good luck. Hopefully, it'll all turn out right.

Mezzer

[ColinR]

Thanks Mezzer - I cannot see that there is any transgression and as I say I'm sure they would have brought it to a head long before this. Probably just part of the general annoyance. I'll keep you updated.

[Countryman]

I think they just want to understand the nature of how he ended up with the rifle but it's an odd way to go about it.

My daughter has held an FAC since she was 14 and we have had to play this game. It's unfortunate in many ways because what she see's on her certificate she often thinks of as hers and hers alone. We argue over the LBP a lot.

Anyway as said above, beware the fishing trip. I understand not all FLO's are as professional as Wilts.

[ColinR]

No problems, all resolved. It turned out that the FEO used to live in the same village in Wiltshire where I reside and we connected on that. No mention whatsoever about where the existing rifle came from, so I imagine he did a bit more research and satisfied himself with the facts before our appointment. Really nice helpful guy as it turned out. Agreed to the Variation requested for a .308/7.62 as well as the ammunition requested; even upped the .22 from 500 to 1000 and asked if we wanted a moderator for the .308/7.62, which we accepted. We also discussed the fact I am leaving all my firearms to this lad in my Will and if he would agree to put all my firearms onto the lad's FAC so in the event of my death there would be no need for Police seizure or Section 7. He agreed that he would do this at renewal in 2017 with the proviso that in the meantime the lad join The Fifty Cal Club (My other club) in order to take possession of my .338LM at some point in the future. A very good meeting with a very proactive and understanding FEO. My opinion of Hampshire Firearms Dept has been hugely lifted as a result of this gent's good PR. Only downside is that this Variation is going to take another 2 months to process!

[Chuck]

That's good news Colin, and some other postive outcomes as they say - bet that's a weight off your mind.

[ColinR]

As always Chuck there is always the thought 'Have I done something wrong', but we hadn't and everything was resolved. Its amazing how these people instil a feeling of guilt and alarm, but having met this FEO I am sure we will get on just fine. Colin

[Chuck]

Nice to be nice - glad all is well