Thread: FAL renewal

Last time I talked to our Local AO, it was made pretty clear that he didnt have much of a sense of humour, and if he said "it" was the-law, then "it" was, regardless of what any Statutes said.... So, is it actually legal to leave a magazine in a secured rifle ? (bolt-action and empty mag with bolt secured separately )

Originally Posted by rewa

Last time I talked to our Local AO, it was made pretty clear that he didnt have much of a sense of humour, and if he said "it" was the-law, then "it" was, regardless of what any Statutes said.... So, is it actually legal to leave a magazine in a secured rifle ? (bolt-action and empty mag with bolt secured separately )

From the horses mouth, the Arms Regulations 1992:

Originally Posted by Arms Regulations 1992

Every firearms licence shall be subject to the following conditions:

(a)the holder shall not put a firearm in such a place that a young child has ready access to it:

(b)the holder, where he or she has both a firearm and ammunition for it in his or her possession, either—
(i)shall take reasonable steps to ensure that the ammunition is not stored in such a way that a person who obtains access to the firearm also obtains access to the ammunition; or
(ii)shall ensure that, where the ammunition is stored with the firearm, the firearm is not capable of being discharged:

(c)the holder shall take reasonable steps to ensure that any firearm in the holder’s possession is secured against theft:

(d)the holder shall, where he or she has possession of a firearm that is—
(i)a flare pistol; or
(ii)a humane killer; or
(iii)a stock marking pistol,—

keep it in a locked container, except where it is under the holder’s immediate and personal supervision.

(2)On and after 1 July 1993 the reasonable steps required by subclause (1)(c) shall include—

(a)keeping on the holder’s premises—
(i)a lockable cabinet, container, or receptacle of stout construction in which firearms may be stored; or
(ii)a lockable steel and concrete strongroom in which firearms may be stored; or
(iii)a display cabinet or rack in which firearms may be immobilised and locked so that none of them may be fired; and

(b)keeping locked or immobilised and locked in the cabinet, container, receptacle, strongroom, display cabinet, or rack required by paragraph (a) every firearm which is on the holder’s premises and which is not under immediate and personal supervision of the holder or some other holder of a firearms licence; and

(c) ensuring that no firearm in the holder’s possession is left in a vehicle that is unattended.

I used to store my magazines separately with the bolts, until the time I forgot one and spent an afternoon rabbit shooting having to single-feed a 22 with no magazine... I still store my bolts separately because it seems sensible even though it isn't legally required either, never forgotten one of those.

Originally Posted by rewa

Last time I talked to our Local AO, it was made pretty clear that he didnt have much of a sense of humour, and if he said "it" was the-law, then "it" was, regardless of what any Statutes said.... So, is it actually legal to leave a magazine in a secured rifle ? (bolt-action and empty mag with bolt secured separately )

Tube magazines, blind magazines etc. No legal requirement to remove the magazine. Though it's a good idea to remove the bolt in a bolt action rifle and secure separately, it's not a legal requirement either.