Thread: New Updated Arms Code 2017

Hi all, I’ve been lurking here for a while but have been galvanized to join and comment on this thread.
I have blatantly plagiarized the work timattalon and P38 (thanks) and drafted a letter to my MP. I have six specific questions for him at the bottom of the letter but would like some advice from members on the second, scroll down to see.
Any other comments or suggestions gratefully received

Dear David
I am writing with a query as to why the updated Police publication of the Arms code has been altered to reflect requirements that are NOT law.
We are now expected to answer a question when renewing our licenses that is not even closely worded into the Arms Act or any subsequent amendments.
If I were a cynic, I would say that this updated arms code (which I acknowledge is not the Act) has been written in advance of the Firearms review which is currently under consideration and in anticipation of acceptance of the ‘secret’ submission made by the police

On page 41 of the new firearms code it states;

"A firearms license allows the holder to have and use sporting type shotguns and rifles. A license holder may possess any number of sporting-type rifles and shotguns although you will be required to justify the number of firearms you hold when the Police inspect your security. A firearms license is valid for ten years unless revoked or surrendered sooner"

There is no reference in the arms act for an A category license holder to justify what firearms they hold therefore this "justifying" is not legally required and has been added ultra vires into the guide by the Police.

There is no definition of what is justified and what is not, and this is purely a subjective measure which has no place in an official publication.

Is ‘because I wanted it’ a suitable justification?
Is ‘because I am legally entitled to own such a firearm’ a suitable justification?
I am concerned that should I refuse to justify my firearms (as there is no legal requirement to do so) that the police may use that to deny my renewal, perhaps in their view I am no longer ‘fit and proper’ because I have dared to challenge them.

This appears to be another example of the Police overstepping their jurisdiction and trying to write law rather than enforce it.

Perhaps you could remind the Police Commissioner that under the Westminster system of government that;
The legislators make the law,
The judiciary interpret the law,
The Police uphold the law,

Furthermore, changes to the wording of the definition of a firearm has been so poorly worded as to make it meaningless, or, if the wording was intentional, so open to interpretation and subjective measure (that term again) so as to give the police carte blanche to act unilaterally.

Section one, 1a, definition of a firearm.
The term "has been" is now "can be" in the definition of a firearm. The big problem here is ANY piece of steel or metal CAN be adapted to discharge any shot, bullet or projectile by force of explosive. In fact, it does not have to be metal either. You could drill a hole in a piece of wood, fill it with powder and cap it with a projectile and ignite it. So by definition even a piece of wood falls under this description. Look around your office where you are sitting as you read this. Is there any metal tube? (Metal pen, Chair or table legs, gas struts from adjustable chairs, Plastic tubing or plumbing) Because they can be closed at one end and turned into a closed tube, these could now be considered "firearms" by that definition....It is simply that poorly written.

Would you please seek a response from the Minister or Police Commissioner as to the following.
WRT the justification clause;
1. On what basis have the Police added the justification clause to the arms code?
2. Is there any empirical evidence that shows that a justification clause will reduce the illegal use of firearms. Question for the forum. Could the argument be had that less firearms in the legal domain = less firearms in the criminal domain? I am sure I have read a couple of publications that suggest there is no correlation between legally held firearms and illegal use but cannot be sure.

3. Was the Minister aware of the change?

WRT to the definition of a firearm
1. What was the intention of the change of wording from ‘has been’ to ‘can be’?
2. Were the Police aware of the impact of the change of wording?
3. Was the Minister ware of the change of wording?

Yours sincerely

Nice that will be an interesting reply! Oh and welcome to the forum
Please post reply if you get One!

Well I think some of the emails may have worked, I can't find the Arms Code 2017 on the Police website anymore, the Korean and Chinese 2013 are there and it states the The arms code is currently in development.

I've set an alert up so I'm notified via email as soon as that website changes.

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Originally Posted by systolic

Bullshit.

Bullshit.

Originally Posted by systolic

Bullshit.

Are you completely ignorant of whats happened elsewhere in the world?

Originally Posted by 300CALMAN

Are you completely ignorant

There I fixed that. Based on his post history yes I think is the answer



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This is the only bullshit going on here.

Well guess what turned up in the mail today with my notice of time to renew. Do I need to send it back to the printers

Originally Posted by stug

Well I think some of the emails may have worked, I can't find the Arms Code 2017 on the Police website anymore, the Korean and Chinese 2013 are there and it states the The arms code is currently in development.

I cannot understand why the arms code is in development - there has been no change to the law; ergo no need to change the arms code. More sneaky tactics I think - and more seeds of distrust. The top brass really need a lesson in relationship management together with "cause & effect analysis."

Some of the info in the arms code actually looked really good and was very informative. It was only a couple of points where they had overstepped their authority.

Originally Posted by outdoorlad

Well guess what turned up in the mail today with my notice of time to renew. Do I need to send it back to the printers

Attachment 69233

@outdoorlad

Keep it

Enter it into the evidence file.

Cheers
Pete

But they havent printed them yet, you must be imaging it


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