Drunk in charge of a firearm?

[carpentermark 21]

On a site/ forum dedicated to driving and safe practices whilst driving, would you ask the question "hi, im new to driving and have just passed my test. I would like some advice. When driving home from work i pass a pub and was wondering if i were to have a few pints then drive home, were i to get pulled could i get arrested and lose my licence for being drunk in charge of a vehicle?......................

of course you wouldnt because the answer would be both blatantly obvious and plain common sense!

It begs the question, how stupid would someone have to be to walk out of a pub with a shotgun in a slip over his shoulder and proceed to walk home with both the shotgun and (im assuming) live cartridges in his pocket whilst being 'half cocked'?!

I waited 6 years before even applying for my certicate because i didnt think i was mature enough at the time.

Its people like you that will soon make owning any type of firearm in this country illegal!

Edited August 9, 2011 by carpentermark

[welshhound2 20]

not worth the risk id say..if you were to get pulled on the way home drunk up surley you would be deamed of unsound mind

[stealthy1 3,964]

Ask your self if its worth loosing your certificate, and there's your answer

[dytkos 17,782]

The lad, inexperienced, asked the question, got the replies he was probably expecting, and replied positively. Surely thats what the forum is about.

Don't need to whip him too hard surely?

 

Cheers, D.

[scothunter 12,609]

pubs,drink,shotguns.never a good mix.

[mintstick999 485]

The lad, inexperienced, asked the question, got the replies he was probably expecting, and replied positively. Surely thats what the forum is about.

Don't need to whip him too hard surely?

 

Cheers, D.

 

 

Now theres a sensible reply, that man.

[JonathanL 4]

Sometimes after I've been shooting at some local permition I'll call in the local pub on the walk home, they let me to lock my gun away upstairs while I have a drink then get it again when I leave. As I'm new to shotguns I was just wondering, when walking back from the pub after a few pints ( I don't get slaughtered! ) if the police were to stop me and discover I'd had a drink, could I be arrested for being drunk in charge of a firearm?

Thanks for any replies

Atb ant

 

My concern would be, firstly; The pub may be safely locking your gun away but it seems as though they may be in unlawful possession of it. Secondly; there is a provision in the Firearms Act which creates an offence of transferring a firearm to a person who is drunk.

 

I don't think that there is a specific offence of being drunk in possession of a firearm but there may be stuff like being in breach of the security condition on your cert if you were very drunk or being a danger to public safety or something.

 

Also, there is an offence of being in possession of a firearm and ammunition suitable for use with it in a public place without lawful authority or reasonable excuse. That could be used against you as it might be argued that you should have teken the gun home before going to the pub.

 

J.

[air gun ant 1,666]

Thanks for all the reasonable replys, my question has been answered and the gun goes home first. Those that started to slate me, have you ever indulged in a wee nip from the hip flask on a shoot day? Or if you feel that strongly, ever confronted someone who has and told them they should have there licence revoked? As that seems common practice?

[Lab 10,979]

Thanks for all the reasonable replys, my question has been answered and the gun goes home first. Those that started to slate me, have you ever indulged in a wee nip from the hip flask on a shoot day? Or if you feel that strongly, ever confronted someone who has and told them they should have there licence revoked? As that seems common practice?

Thats exactly what i thought about mate when i read your post but to be fair these drinks are on private land. I think you have got your answer on here, i personally dont see anything wrong with it and years ago it was probably common practice for a few folk to stop in at the pub after a day/nights shooting without worrying about the law. But as you know the law is pretty strict nowadays and just for your own benefit i'd take the gun home and keep yourself in the right.....

[air gun ant 1,666]

I will be doing mate, thanks for your help

Atb ant

[CharlieT 32]

Just to put a little perspective on this, in our very rural village every day through the shooting season there will be quite a few customers in our "local" having a pint and a pie for lunch with their shotguns propped up at the bar beside them and several muddy dogs in front of the fire. Their numbers will include a police officer, the odd JP and a smattering of farmers, plumbers, the landlord and of course me.

 

It's all a matter of moderation and being sensible but there is nothing wrong with it.

[air gun ant 1,666]

Thank you, that is the experience I have had from previos seasons beating and didn't think it was rediculas question?

Thanks for your replys

Atb ant

[suffolkpoacher 219]

if its locked away at pub have your beers leave it there and pick it up the next day

[JonathanL 4]

if its locked away at pub have your beers leave it there and pick it up the next day

 

Although this will place the publican in the position of being in unlawful possession.

[TopDown 0]

I wasn't aware that we had established that the publican is not a SGC holder?