theoretical question ... police stop

[bradaz11]

right, that's why i asked, i doubt that I could complain if the officers were armed, but I would feel very justified in action if thier guns were aimed at me

[Dahonis]

I should of been a bit clearer.

If you are subject to any stop and are found to be carrying a legally held firearm, but without your FAC on you. A check can be made to confirm that all is ok from the police side of things.

However, a photocopy or original saves time.

Your FAC is not linked to your vehicle as DM has stated unless you have been flagged as a naughty boy.

Regards

Chris

[bradaz11]

i doubt an Officer would accept your paper FAC at face value, without verifying anyway

[ordnance]

We used to get stopped here all the time, a quick radio check and you were on your way.

[breacher]

My understanding (from an ex-copper) is that a vehicle registered to an FAC holder will flag a firearms marker when the registration number is run by car based ANPR or radio checked.

No, most certainly not...

I thought not too but my knowledge is a few years out of date.

I have been told by a friend still serving that it is indeed the case.

Yes, when stopped your FAC can be checked by phone call to appropriate department but.......

1. Some officers are pedantic.
2. Some officers are having a bad day and take it out on whoever they meet.

And the legislation still requires you to produce - it has not kept up with technology. So, even if the officer insisted upon production and siezed your firearm etc, they could not be disclipined if you complained.

99.9% will apply common sense. The rest wont. I say this from experience.


Think of it this way...................

When the FEO takes away your FAC pending delivery of new one, the letter of the law requires him to issue you a temporary permit. This is specifically to enable you to comply with production requests.

When they say "dont worry about it" they are I suppose using common sense to save paperwork but it is technically outside the rules.

Now, if the roles were reversed - would they agree ? Do you think they would allow you to take a short cut in the name of common sense or convenience ?

[Racalman]

I was on my way to my club one night about six years ago when a dog ran in front of my car. As there was a police station just round the corner I called for help and a car came out. The dog was injured and the police escorted me to a vet where we left it (the dog recovered).

The impact took my front bumper off, and while one officer was taking my details the other helpfully retrieved it and stowed it in my boot, on top of my cased rifle and ammunition. Nothing was said to me about firearms, so they clearly weren't bothered.

Subsequently a club member who is also a serving Met officer told me that there was no link from the PNC to the FAC database.

[joe]

so lets say you have a your ticket on you when you are 'carrying' on the way to club and stopped, do you decare the fact you have firearms in the car? or show them your FAC with your driving liance or say nothing unless asked ??

[Blackstuff]

Nothing unless asked, saves both parties a lot of time and hassle

[Demonic69]

As far as I know the police don't have the right to mooch around your car if they pull you over unless they have a suspicion you've got something in the car you shouldn't have. If they pull you over for speeding, broken brake light etc then that's all. So what you have in the boot is of no concern unless they tell you they want to search the vehicle.
Correct me if I'm wrong though

[phaedra1106]

What Mark said, much easier :)

In fact I never carry my certificates unless I'm going to need to produce them (RFD visit etc.). I carry a PDF copy on my phone they can look at if required. OTOH so far this year my FAC has spent more time sitting in Durhams firearms department than it's been with me, it's there now having a condition amended as I no longer shot with a particular club, 17 days so far and counting, good news is it'll have to go back again when I get it back as I should be selling my Sec.1 shotgun this weekend and will need a 1-for-1 variation doing.