What does the law say about carrying a shotgun in public?

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By Peter Glenser

Wednesday, 04 July 2012

I'm a student living in the centre of Cambridge and quite regularly cycle to shoot on land on the outskirts of the city where I have rights, or to our local clay ground.

My gun is always in its slip and over my shoulder but nevertheless I still get some rather interesting looks.

With the number of people in the streets around the centre I am waiting for the first person to call the police, worried that someone is wandering the streets with a gun.

What does the law state regarding either walking or cycling to a shoot as opposed to driving, and how could it affect me?

CARRYING A SHOTGUN IN PUBLIC
Peter Glenser
Not that long ago I found myself walking down Oxford Street having had lunch with an old friend. I’d lent him a shotgun a couple of days before, but hadn’t had time to catch up properly so this was a chance to kill two birds with one stone.

As I walked westwards after lunch I was firmly, but politely, taken by the arm by a man in plain clothes, who discreetly flashed a warrant card at me.

He wanted to know what was in my gunslip and to see my certificate.

I told him that it was a shotgun and that I had a certificate, which I would gladly show him but unfortunately it was in the slip with the gun.

He thanked me and wished me good day without any further fuss at all. I was probably lucky in that the officer knew the law.

There is no offence in having a shotgun with you in a public place.

It’s covered by Section 19 of the Firearms Act:
“A person commits an offence if, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse (the proof whereof lies on him) he has with him in a public place a loaded shotgun or loaded air weapon, or any other firearm (whether loaded or not) together with ammunition suitable for use in that firearm.”

So – not loaded, no offence. In fact it doesn’t even have to be in a slip.

There are two things that you might be able to do to ensure that your sporting afternoons remain undisturbed, though.

Firstly, does it really need to be carried in a gun slip?

Break it down, wrap the parts in something to protect them and put them into a rucksack – along with the slip if you like – and no one will be any the wiser.

Secondly, if you must cycle with a slipped gun it might be a good idea to telephone the force control room in advance and tell them what you are doing and when.

Say what you think in the Shooting UK forums!

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Comments

sam furlong

Tue, 10th Jul 2012 08:11:06

Or you could buy a napier protector gun slip. It will fold down so it's a little over half length and allow you to carry a gun broken down. It's very discreet, most non shooting people won't even realise that you're carrying a gun. It also has the advantage of only being slightly longer than your barrels so carrying it on a bike is much easier, plus the padding is excellent so it you do fall off the bike there is a much better chance of the gun coming away un scathed. I carry mine on my bike all the time simply because of the size.