Category Archives: Public

Deactivated Firearms Guidance

The latest (last!?) EU legislation on deactivated firearms is complex and confusing, but the Deactivated Weapons Association (DWA) has put together a guide to what should be notified and when – see the tables at the bottom of this page.)

We may be officially “out” of the EU, but we’re still in the transition period sat the moment (18/2/20) and this particular law was enacted before we left.

You’ll note that the “who” to notify hasn’t been included, but now that’s been made (nearly) clear at – Deactivatedfirearmsnotifications@homeoffice.gov.uk

You should use the forms provided at – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/circular-0102019-firearms-regulations-2019-and-the-firearms-amendment-no2-rules-2019

What possible way this can enhance public safety is – to say the least – questionable, but it prevents the UK having to pay a massive fine to the EU if they haven’t “done something” to comply.
This is the very least they could do to comply with the legislation and still avoid that fine.

Possession
Type of Deactivation? Notify? When to Notify?
UK legacy specifications deactivated prior to 7th April 2016 No N/A
2010 UK Specification (for firearms outside the scope of the EU Regulation – mortars, flare pistols, launchers, etc.) deactivated from 8th April 2016 No N/A
EU Regulation 2015/2403 (EU Spec 1) deactivated from 8th April 2016 to 27th June 2018 Yes BUT Not before March 14th 2021
EU Regulation 2018/337 (EU Spec 2) deactivated from 28th June 2018 to 13th September 2018 Yes March 14th 2021 if taken into your possession by 13/09/18 or from now if taken into your possession on or after 14/09/18
EU Regulation 2018/337 (EU Spec 2) deactivated from 14th September 2018 Yes Now
Transfer (for more than 14 days)
Type of Deactivation? Notify? When to Notify?
UK legacy specifications deactivated prior to 7th April 2016 No N/A
2010 UK Specification (for firearms outside the scope of the EU Regulation – mortars, flare pistols, launchers, etc.) deactivated from 8th April 2016 No N/A
EU Regulation 2015/2403 (EU Spec 1) deactivated from 8th April 2016 to 27th June 2018 No N/A
EU Regulation 2018/337 (EU Spec 2) deactivated from 28th June 2018 to 13th September 2018 Yes From now upon sale/transfer
EU Regulation 2018/337 (EU Spec 2) deactivated from 14th September 2018 Yes From now upon sale/transfer

Clubs “Good Practice Guide.”

This document was put together by the Metropolitan Police Firearms Enquiry Team together with representatives from the British Shooting Sports Council.

You may recognise one or two of the photos in the guide, so you can guess where the main input from the BSSC came from.

I’d particularly like to bring to your attention a statement in the foreword-

“We must do whatever we can reasonably do to support the continued lawful practice of target shooting, whilst protecting public safety.”

Rob Atkin MBE (T. Commander, Met police Armed Policing)

The whole document rests on honest and clear co-operation between the police and the clubs, and if all police forces and clubs were to adopt this guide, we’d be in a much better place than we are at present.

Met Police Clubs Good Practice Guide.

This document is worth reading as it explains a lot about the relationship between clubs and firearms licensing departments, and while the Home Office have started to charge for things which weren’t chargeable before, the main thrust of the guide remains good.

More tax (attacks?) on Target Shooting Clubs

The Home Office have just published their response to the consultation of various fees for Firearms related businesses, clubs and schools.

They are –
Club first time approval grant    £444
Club renewal                                     £372
There are also other fees for such things a changing the secretary, club name, etc, varying between £300 & £36.

These are far less than the original proposals but still a very considerable hike from £84 for both grant and renewal, and NO fee for variations. to quote the Home Office – “The review led to fees that are approximately 58% lower than those proposed in the consultation.”

We have always tried had to keep costs to a bare minimum to Phoenix members, but these extras will have to be factored into our subscriptions or range fees over the coming  years.  but basically it means that our costs will rise by £60 a year, although paid out in a lump sum every six years – 2020 being our next renewal.

That’s £60 a year we will not be able to use for the benefit of the club or the sport.

 

Jim Girven

We regret to say that Jim died in his sleep.

Jim had been a member of Phoenix since 1992 (over a quarter of a century ago)  and despite occasional bouts of ill-health, he was still shooting with us quite regularly. He last shot with us in September at the Sheepshed when he was in excellent spirits and looking forward to the next shoot – sadly that was not to be.

A  real gentleman – we will miss him greatly.

His funeral was at Landican Crematorium, South Chapel at 11.30 Friday 2nd November 2018.

Ron Seddon – the “Purple Plume”

As most of you know, Ron died earlier this year

A great character and one of the longest serving members of Phoenix. Ron had been ill for some time, but this doesn’t make it any easier for his family, Richard Seddon, or us.

Ron was truly a friend and always good fun to be around. We didn’t get to see him much in the last year or so as he had problems which precluded his rejoining us – by his own choice – very sadly. We miss him.

The funeral was  20th February at Landican, and was well attended by many members of Phoenix.

It is with considerable sadness that we have to report the death of the great Colin Greenwood, who died peacefully on Friday 10th November. The funeral, was held at 11:30 on Tuesday 28th November 2017 at the Church of St Thomas the Apostle, Church Street, Heptonstall, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, HX7 7NT. The family requested no flowers, but if desired donations should be made to MacMillan Cancer Support. ( We did)

Mary & Mike attended with Bill Harriman from BASC – a very sad day for all of us, and a great loss to the shooting sports.