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

Mike357 wrote:Are you allowed to have firearm in your garden for the purposes of cleaning it?

The reason I ask is that I have a large back garden that is secure and backs on to a golf course. The two houses either side slightly overlook it. During the summer, am I allowed to have a firearm outside for the purposes of cleaning?
:?: :?: :?:

Why do you think you should not? You have the "property owners" permission and you are not shooting over it, so why not?

This question bothers me somewhat??

Are you thinking of having a crack at something over the Golf Course from your back garden, is my first thought,,,and then using the old cleaning it ploy???

My next thought is,,,what has it got to do with anyone what you do with your LICENCED firearm in your own garden??

My third thought is.....sod em!!

My forth thought is where this is leading,,,,is a suggestion that any person wishing to possess a licenced registered firearm have to obtain or at least inform any near neighbours that you have or want to keep a firearm on your premisis before being granted an FAC or SGC,,,,,,JUST LIKE OBTAINING Planning permission forthcoming here????

Not good,, Not Good,,,,

There's nthing nicer in the summer than sitting in the garden after a range session, sipping a cold beer and cleaning yor favourite rifle.....

No way. Beer sat in garden with gun.
I can just see the armed response pouring over the fence to arrest you because some half wit neighbour as spied you out the bed room window and imediatelly phoned 999.
No I dont think so not in my kneck of the woods any way.

Arrest you for what?

I asked the question of Geoff Doe, our Firearms Liaison Officer as I was interested in the answer. Well, here it is:

Oh Heather

You do ask some 'awkward' questions!

Lets consider the law.

It is an offence to have a firearm in a public place without good reason. Presumably this is not a public place. If it was I doubt cleaning a gun would be a very strong good reason.

I cannot think of any legislation that would be broken. I would not recommend the practice as if (or when) the neighbours saw the activity I can guarantee that there will be a phone call and the next thing there will be an armed response team sitting outside the house.

Regards

Geoff

I'm just beginning to wonder whether someone wishes to intimidate one's neighbour or just appear macho.

:roll:

:?:

HeatherW762 wrote:I asked the question of Geoff Doe, our Firearms Liaison Officer as I was interested in the answer. Well, here it is:

Oh Heather

You do ask some 'awkward' questions!

Lets consider the law.

It is an offence to have a firearm in a public place without good reason. Presumably this is not a public place. If it was I doubt cleaning a gun would be a very strong good reason.

I cannot think of any legislation that would be broken. I would not recommend the practice as if (or when) the neighbours saw the activity I can guarantee that there will be a phone call and the next thing there will be an armed response team sitting outside the house.

Regards

Geoff

Your garden is not a public place..... in regards to the Firearms Act "...a public place includes any highway and any other premises or place to which at the material time the public have or are ermitted access, whether on paymet or otherwise."
[Blackstone's Police National Legal Database 2006]

I think I will take the officers advice sounds sensible to me.