Im planning on hunting hill stags in Scotland this coming October. There will be two hunters and two wives. The "wheres" and "hows" have already been determined. What has not been determined is the ever-present gun issue in the British Isles.

We are planning on flying into London (Gatwick) and spending three days, before flying on to Inverness to meet our guide. My question is, what should we do with our rifles while we are in London? I don't think we want to lug guns through the hotel lobby, considering how anti gun Britan has become.

I've heard of folks putting their guns in storage while in London. Is this an option?

God, I'm glad we have the Second Ammendment here. At least our forefathers did something right!

GAHUNTER,

I have done the same countless times with no issues whatsoever.

When you receive your UK Visitor Firearms Permit you are authorized to have your rifle in your possesion for the dates included on the form.

You must take prudent precautions to protect the rifles, but obviously visitors cannot haul a UK approved gunsafe around with them. Additionally, UK residents do the same thing every year - take their guns to Scotland with them.

Whether shotgun or rifle I lock the case then lock it up in the gardrobe in the room. If there are two cases chaining them togther would not be a bad idea.

You could always ask at your Hotel if they have facilities there - one time coming back from Inverness (yes!) and staying the night to wait the continetal ferry the Hotel had a huge old safe!

Your query of storing them in/around London would be an alternative but you would encumber yourself with alot of taxis/driving around etc. Bisely is not too distant from Gatwick and easily found. There are several Gun Shops and lots of Gun Clubs there.

Cheers,

Gerry


P.S. Take prudent precautions doesn't mean leaving guns in the car while you are doing tourist things.

GA Hunter

If you ask the hotel staff if you can store your guns in the hotel strong room do not be suprised if the SWAT team show up. Such is the level of hysteria surrounding sporting guns in some central London hotels - generally staffed by cheap foreign labour.

I would not say a word to a soul and chain my locked guncase (better yet if it is a Tuffpak and looks like golf gear) to the inside of the wardrode with a bike lock. Tell anyone who asks it is photographic/ golf/ ice hockey equipment.

Or, you could store them at a central London gunshop like William Evans, H&H, Purdy etc. Wm Evans will be by far the cheapest, and they are very central.

Bisley is a pain to get to, most of the clubs keep odd hours and there are only two gunshops and I would not trust either of them.

Or...

If you are flying into and out of Gatwick then try Ron Wharton who does this sort of thing for a living. His place is not more than 10 miles from Gatwick and he would probably meet you at the airport and deliver.

He is also probably one of the best three rifle makers in the UK, and has a fascinating workshop.

Ron Wharton

Thanks Deerdogs,

I've shot an email off to Mr. Wharton to get the price for his services.

It's a crying shame we have come to this, not just in the UK, but worldwide. Even here in the US, folks traveling here to hunt are hassled by the new regulations that require 8 to 12 weeks advance licensing to import a firearm. It almost isn't worth it. (Notice I said "almost")

Another idea is to use a solid suitcase. Remove the barrelled action from the stock and if they fit, place them diagonally in the suitcase and pack your clothes etc around them.

In the hotels (etc) you will just have a standard suitcase and appear like everyone else.

Use a discrete cable or chain and chain it to something solid in the wardrobe or whatever. Doesn't stop someone from popping locks of course and getting inside.

I have travelled like this many times and it works well. Gun cases look like gun cases and attract attention even if non-shooters have no idea what is inside them.

Of course you may have to re-sight them before hunting. A big advantage of takedown firearms.

***

If storing a firearm in car is NOT considered adequate what do you do if travelling via tourist sites when moving from hotel to hotel? (ie very likely if checking out in one town in the morning, a day of touring and then re-checking in somewhere that evening)