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

OK, might be a bit of a noddy question but I've never thought about this before. I've only ever taken my firearms to and from the range (I don't hunt, just shoot paper), but if I were to pop round a friend's house with one of my firearms, would that be breaking the law in any way? Hypothetical scenario - I've just collected a shiny new firearm and wanted to stop in at a mate's house on the way home and show him.

My FAC states:
Where a firearm or 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 it's use, transfer or sale, or the firearm or ammunition is in transit to or from a place in connection with it's use or any such purpose, reasonable precautions must be taken for the safe custody of the firearm or the ammunition.

Could 'showing a mate my new firearm' be reasonably considered 'some other purpose connected with it's use'?

I don't see any problem with it.

No worries. Just don't leave it there.... *cough* *cough*...!!

I'd say no. There's an estate exemption covering your own property, but not a friends.

Also, you have to have a good reason for having a firearm in a public place - not too many people would consider showing off to your mate a good excuse....

Invite him round yours - it's safest for all concerned.

" or for some other purpose connected with it's use"

I reckon that would cover it. Apart from sporting equipment or tools, guns are also property. They are desirable objects which people glean joy from the ownership of. Some really are works of art in steel and walnut. They are just like any other commodity.

I have a number of guns on my certificate that form part of a "collection". One aspect of a collection is showing it to others...

"connected with it's use" could cover all manner of things.

Sim G wrote:" or for some other purpose connected with it's use"

I reckon that would cover it. Apart from sporting equipment or tools, guns are also property. They are desirable objects which people glean joy from the ownership of. Some really are works of art in steel and walnut. They are just like any other commodity.

I have a number of guns on my certificate that form part of a "collection". One aspect of a collection is showing it to others...

"connected with it's use" could cover all manner of things.

I certainly agree with the sentiment - especially if you have guns in a collection. But, if (like me) all the guns on your FAC are only for the purposes of "target shooting", it might be more difficult to argue the point.

Either way I don't see any harm in it, but for me, I wouldn't take any of mine to a friends house to show them unless I was certain it would be considered as genuinely (read legally) connected with its use.

Mikaveli wrote:I'd say no. There's an estate exemption covering your own property, but not a friends.

Also, you have to have a good reason for having a firearm in a public place - not too many people would consider showing off to your mate a good excuse....

Invite him round yours - it's safest for all concerned.

Good advice, err on the side of caution.
ukrifleman.

Don't see a problem?

Connected with its use - tempting a new club member to join in. Poss hes going to be a new FAC applicant & buy it? Is a french polisher & is going to do up the wood for you? etc

Reasonable prosecutions - your with it at all times, & aren't leaving it there? & not loading it, & presumably don't have live ammo next to or with it? & its in a cover / case to from car, aren't pointing out the window at next doors bloody cat..... etc?

Wasaproblem?

Inviting your friend round to your house, is the best way to do it IMO.

judders wrote: Where a firearm or 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 it's use, transfer or sale, or the firearm or ammunition is in transit to or from a place in connection with it's use or any such purpose, reasonable precautions must be taken for the safe custody of the firearm or the ammunition.

This FAC condition relates to your responsibility for the security of your firearms and ammunition, it does in no way restrict your movements with the firearm as that is covered by other legislation.

There is no problem with you showing a friend your firearm at their home but you obviously need to be sensible and be sure that it could not be considered a 'Public Place' where someone could get the wrong impression of what was going on so don't go displaying it openly in a front garden that can be publicly overlooked.