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.