My stalking ground is bisected by a "B" class road. Depending on the wind direction I sometimes have to cross over this road with my rifle on my shoulder, is this ok?
Should I take my rifle slip with me to use for crossing the road?

You will never be wrong if you have a gun slip with you, however, you have 'good reason' to be in public with an uncovered rifle. The law recognises your situation as being acceptable.

Common-sense dictates the rifle is unloaded and bolt slipped into a pocket whilst crossing the road. If the rifle is slug on your shoulder, barrel down, it is not obvious and anyone encountering you may feel less intimidated! Should you ever need to defend your actions - you have made every reasonable effort to avoid causing issue.

Silly - but this is the sort of thing we have to consider when hunting on our crowded island! The amount of game more than makes up for the occasional inconvenience!

Rgds Ian

By the way, having crossed to your other shoot - always remember to reload ( )

'I am told' that the look on the face of both stalking partner and deer when the rifle just goes 'click' is never forgotten!!



Rgds Ian

Thank you IanF
The "good reason" info was just what I was looking for. I have never actually met anyone yet whilst crossing the road but I just wanted to be clear in my mind as what to say if I ever do.

"Why did the Chicken cross the road?"

quote:

Originally posted by IanF:
...however, you have 'good reason' to be in public with an uncovered rifle. The law recognises your situation as being acceptable.

Common-sense dictates the rifle is unloaded and bolt slipped into a pocket whilst crossing the road. If the rifle is slug on your shoulder, barrel down, it is not obvious and anyone encountering you may feel less intimidated! Should you ever need to defend your actions - you have made every reasonable effort to avoid causing issue....
Rgds Ian

Backworthbob,

The otherside of the coin is that should the Police become involved, "common sense" is not always enough, and depending on the policy of the Force in question, you could find yourself arguing this out in court..

Remember the Police have a habit of applying laws as *they* see fit, not how they were actually written..If you were ever to end up in this situation, you would probably have your FAC pulled until the court case and your firearms taken ss well..

I have heard a lot of horror stories about people loosing their FAC & firearms while waiting to go to court, and the main thing theses stories have in common is that its both expensive and very painful for the shooter, even if they are eventualy cleared or charges.. are dropped...

Regards,

Pete

If you have your firearms seized,& they are eventually returned to you,they are very likely to be in a very sorry state, I have heard from a good source, of parts being removed and or damaged by unknown persons whilst in their "care".

Steve,

I've heard the same thing, with the damage varying from badly rusted/pitted barrels to and expensive scopes be swapped for cheaper models or scopes missing all together..

Regards,

Peter