Category Archives: General News

General sporting related news and media.

Recent changes to firearms law we need to be aware of :

The Firearms Act 2023 –

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/49/enacted

The Firearms (Amendment) Rules 2023 –

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2023/77/rule/2/made

The basic effects of these changes are:

  1. Extra security rules for some rifles
  2. Firearm certificate now required for miniature (.22rf) rifle ranges/galleries.
  3. Making it an offence to possess reloading components with intent.

There are also changes to the Home Office criteria for club approval, but these are under review as they didn’t take into account the 2023 Act. They will only be published on-line. Once they are published, I’ll put a link here, with an explanation.

What would happen if the police called unexpectedly to check on YOUR firearm security ?

As a certificate holder you should be well aware of condition 4(a) on your certificate:

“The firearms and [section 1] ammunition to which the certificate relates must at all times (except in the circumstances set out in paragraph (b) below) be stored securely so as to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, access to the firearms or ammunition by an unauthorised person; ”

Any breach of this condition is viewed seriously by the police and the courts, so PLEASE make sure that your guns and all your ammunition is put away properly after a shoot, and that the keys are kept in such a way that only the certificate holder knows where they are. 

Hiding them in your sock drawer is NOT a good option – it seems that that’s the one place that criminals look first – assuming they know which drawer has the socks in it. Hanging the keys on a hook next to the cabinet is even sillier.

 You’ll note that this doesn’t apply to normal shotgun ammunition, but it still makes sense to store it in out of the way – certainly away for your shotgun.

The second condition relating to security is Condition 4 (b):

“Where a firearm or [section 1] ammunition to which the certificate relates is in use or the holder of the certificate has the firearm with him for the purpose of cleaning, repairing or testing it or for some other purpose connected with its use, transfer or sale, or the firearm or ammunition is in transit to or from a place in connection with its use or any such purpose, reasonable precautions must be taken for the safe custody of the firearm or the ammunition.”

Which is less onerous, but you still have to comply with it.  Make sure that nothing is visible in your car if you park it that would make it obvious that there might be guns or ammo in it. Lock them in the boot, park it in an obvious place, make sure it’s locked – there’s plenty more advice in the links below.

We don’t want Phoenix to be dragged through the mud because a member was careless and left guns or ammunition out where someone who doesn’t have a certificate had access to them, so PLEASE take this warning on board – and THINK about your security at home or in the car.

There is plenty of help and guidance in the two links below, but you can always ask Mary or Mike if you need any help at all.

http://basc.org.uk/firearms/firearm-shotgun-security-what-do-you-do/

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/firearms-handbook-2005

We know most people (and hopefully ALL Phoenix members) comply with this, but one or two careless or complacent shooters haven’t done so, which leads us ALL into problems.




BEWARE!

Cheshire Police have asked us to make everyone aware that they have intelligence that – in the Greater Manchester Area – members of target shooting clubs may be being followed home from the club by criminals from orgainsed crime groups, with a view to stealing guns from their cars or homes.

I know you are all aware of this possibility particularly at Sealand but thankfully all our venues are in places which make it obvious if someone was waiting to follow us, but be alert to the risk!

How many crimes are committed with rifles I can’t say, but sawn-off shotguns might be making a come-back. Either way, we don’t want to lose our valuable firearms!

Tony Hutchinson

Some of you will remember our friend Tony Hutchinson, who was a member for a short while a few years ago. We very much regret to say that Tony died mid August. There will be a memorial service for him at St Peter’s Church, Little Budworth on the 6th of November at 12 noon with a reception at The Red Lion across the road from the church thereafter.

Tony Hutchinson
Anthony Broadbent Hutchinson

Rifles For Sale

CZ453 PREMIUM.22LR FLUTED BARREL WITH SLING SILENCER HAWKE SPORT HD 4+12X50ADIR SCOPE LIKE NEW £450

CZ452 AMERICAN .17HMR WITH SLING SILENCER HAWKE NITE EYE 4-16X50 LIKE NEW £350

Winchester model 91 o/u 12g single trigger barrel selector £300

12g Browning A5 semi auto with spare barrel £500

12g AYA yeoman SBS DOUBLE TRIGGER £100

Mossberg 500 hush power.410 pump action £500

Modern arms of London folding.410 SBS HAMMER GUN NUMBER 13 OF THE FEW THAT WERE MADE £120

That a total of £2320 but if someone takes the lot £1600 including 7 gun safe, a 3 gun safe, an ammo safe and ammunition for everything.

Contact MIke or Mary – quoting “ADRIAN NORTHWICH”