Thread: Firearms in Vehicles

Originally Posted by gadgetman

But it is illegal to do so. It is clearly stated in the statutes. Therefore taking with you to avoid breaking such a clearly laid out law must be a legitimate purpose.

And if it is entirely disguised as in a soft or hard carry bag/ case and if a bolt weapon, the bolt is removed and locked in your car, (Am I wrong in assuming that firearms parts do not have to be stored the same way as the firearm,? if so then in your pocket), then an arguable and reasonable defence exists if Plod is having a bad hair day and you end up in court.

Its not a crime to leave a firearm unattended in a vehicle, in that you shouldn't receive criminal charges and be at risk of a fine/prison sentence,
but it is a breach of the Arms Regulations 1992 section 19 which requires you to take reasonable steps to secure firearm against theft. One of the suggested reasonable steps is not leaving the firearm unattended in a vehicle.
This is a condition of your licence.
So get caught leaving a firearm unattended in your car and your license can be revoked.

If caught out through some sort of unusual circumstances, and your faced with the choice of "do I carry a firearm around in public or do I leave it in an unattended vehicle." For example your car breaks down and you have to walk to somewhere to find a phone to call for help. What do you do?

The irony is its less likely your firearm would be stolen if you're in control of it but,
Carrying it would put you at risk of breeches of the Arms Act 1983 with the risk of prosecution, fines, prison sentence and loss of licence.

The law creates a situation where to avoid alarming some gun fearing member of the public you are motivated to actually leave it in the vehicle as a situation with the lower personal risk but higher risk of it falling in to a criminals hands.