DERF
Member
Does anyone know if Flare guns are classed as firearms in the UK.
Are they hence illegal to carry on board?
Are they hence illegal to carry on board?
Flare Gun
- Thread starter DERF
- Start date
Woodentop
New member
Yup, they are classed as firearms.
(By that I mean the ones which are pistols that take a flare cartridge.)
Typicalk model is the US made flare pistol which takes a flare cartridge almost identical to a 12 bore shotgun cartridge
A very illegal weapon in the UK.
(By that I mean the ones which are pistols that take a flare cartridge.)
Typicalk model is the US made flare pistol which takes a flare cartridge almost identical to a 12 bore shotgun cartridge
A very illegal weapon in the UK.
snowleopard
Active member
yes, they are. as are the flare projectors which were sold a few years ago.
to carry one you must have a firearms licence which is free if it is only for 'distress weapons'. you will still be required to demonstrate secure storage (lockable metal cabinet secured to the structure of the house) at home. any flares must also be entered on your licence.
it's not all that easy to get the ammo these days but in chandleries across the atlantic you can buy 12-guage pistols and flares for them on open shelves in the chandleries! i see no reason why you couldn't also carry ordinary shot cartridges which would make for a very lethal weapon (and totally illegal over here)
to carry one you must have a firearms licence which is free if it is only for 'distress weapons'. you will still be required to demonstrate secure storage (lockable metal cabinet secured to the structure of the house) at home. any flares must also be entered on your licence.
it's not all that easy to get the ammo these days but in chandleries across the atlantic you can buy 12-guage pistols and flares for them on open shelves in the chandleries! i see no reason why you couldn't also carry ordinary shot cartridges which would make for a very lethal weapon (and totally illegal over here)
bruce
New member
our 12 g flare guns are not the same as 12 g shotguns, and can NOT chamber and fire shotgun shells. am suprised to read this thread, you guys have it hard over there.
DERF
Member
Confused Firearms dept
I telephoned Firearms dept for hertsfordshire this afternoon and no one could tell me if I required a licence.
Firstly I was told I needed a Shotgun certificate, then I needed a firearms certificate, and then I was told I don't need one at all!
These flare guns were being sold at the Genoa boat show together with the cartridges.. No questions asked.
I telephoned Firearms dept for hertsfordshire this afternoon and no one could tell me if I required a licence.
Firstly I was told I needed a Shotgun certificate, then I needed a firearms certificate, and then I was told I don't need one at all!
These flare guns were being sold at the Genoa boat show together with the cartridges.. No questions asked.
tome
New member
Re: Confused Firearms dept
I had a Very pistol for a number of years. It required a Firearms Certificate, but this was issued free of charge. I had to order the cartridges via a gunsmith, and there was a limit to the number of 'rounds' I could posess, this was detailed on the certificate.
I had a Very pistol for a number of years. It required a Firearms Certificate, but this was issued free of charge. I had to order the cartridges via a gunsmith, and there was a limit to the number of 'rounds' I could posess, this was detailed on the certificate.
catmandoo
Active member
Re: Confused Firearms dept
I have got a Very pistol on my boat . Cant take it off the boat but have no cartridges . I think I will ditch it some where
I have got a Very pistol on my boat . Cant take it off the boat but have no cartridges . I think I will ditch it some where
l'escargot
New member
Re: Confused Firearms dept
This was covered on this forum some time ago. Simply put, it is in the same category as a shotgun and the same restrictions apply re storage, ammunition and licensing etc.
Full thread here
This was covered on this forum some time ago. Simply put, it is in the same category as a shotgun and the same restrictions apply re storage, ammunition and licensing etc.
Full thread here
Boathook
Well-known member
As said in earlier posts a very pistol & cartridges needs a firearms certificate, free but time consuming to obtain plus need a secure cabinet etc. at home. There is a flare gun that has a round barrel containing 8 mini flares. Turn the barrel & pull the trigger to fire up to 8 times ! This also requires a fire arms certificate in the UK though can be purchased of the shelf in France.
Rowana
Two steps lower than the ships' cat
Firearms certificate
I've had a firearms certificate for 40 years or so. First one I got, I just went to local cop shop & paid 7/6, and away I went.
Last time I renewed it, I had to jump through all sorts of hoops, and virtually had to have all my family history investigated by plod.
Still the same rifle, still the same bloke on the end of it, and never a blemish on my record.
It's a single shot .22 competition rifle, by the way. Not even any use for taking pot shots at rabbits, and DEFINATELY no good for anyone with criminal intent!
I've had a firearms certificate for 40 years or so. First one I got, I just went to local cop shop & paid 7/6, and away I went.
Last time I renewed it, I had to jump through all sorts of hoops, and virtually had to have all my family history investigated by plod.
Still the same rifle, still the same bloke on the end of it, and never a blemish on my record.
It's a single shot .22 competition rifle, by the way. Not even any use for taking pot shots at rabbits, and DEFINATELY no good for anyone with criminal intent!
Shakey
New member
Re: Confused Firearms dept
I think Very pistols et al need a Firearms Certificate.
Firearms Certificate is not the same as a Shotgun Licence. The Firearms Certificate has more hoops for you to jump through before being issued it.
Also, what's wrong with your .22 rifle if you can't hit rabbits with it? Or is it your aim..... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
I think Very pistols et al need a Firearms Certificate.
Firearms Certificate is not the same as a Shotgun Licence. The Firearms Certificate has more hoops for you to jump through before being issued it.
Also, what's wrong with your .22 rifle if you can't hit rabbits with it? Or is it your aim..... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
alahol2
Well-known member
Re: Confused Firearms dept
I carry a Very pistol and cartridges. You need a Firearms certificate that is a little time consuming to obtain. Involves a home visit from the local firearms officer and you have to show secure storage at home ie a lockable steel box bolted to the rafters in the roof. They don't bother to check the storage on the boat. There is no charge for the certificate. The cartridges have no date stamp so I've no idea what the life expectancy is. Never yet attempted to buy any cartridges but I have ascertained that they are still produced (1").
I carry a Very pistol and cartridges. You need a Firearms certificate that is a little time consuming to obtain. Involves a home visit from the local firearms officer and you have to show secure storage at home ie a lockable steel box bolted to the rafters in the roof. They don't bother to check the storage on the boat. There is no charge for the certificate. The cartridges have no date stamp so I've no idea what the life expectancy is. Never yet attempted to buy any cartridges but I have ascertained that they are still produced (1").
Rowana
Two steps lower than the ships' cat
Re: Confused Firearms dept
Nothing wrong with my aim. It's just that the rifle is specifically designed for target shooting -
Nothing wrong with my aim. It's just that the rifle is specifically designed for target shooting -
ianwright
New member
[ QUOTE ]
Does anyone know if Flare guns are classed as firearms in the UK.
Are they hence illegal to carry on board?
[/ QUOTE ]
Yes they are firearms and require a Fire Arms Certificate, which you can get free from your County Firearms and Explosives office (ask local police for the address) if the certificate is only for a flare gun for use on a yacht or ship.
Frankly I wouldn't bother. Not many people sell them or the ammunition and it's a fag to fill all the forms in.
I have had my Verey pistol for 15 years and wouldn't like to sail without but really, the bother isn't worth it for new users. Buy a flare pack.
IanW
Does anyone know if Flare guns are classed as firearms in the UK.
Are they hence illegal to carry on board?
[/ QUOTE ]
Yes they are firearms and require a Fire Arms Certificate, which you can get free from your County Firearms and Explosives office (ask local police for the address) if the certificate is only for a flare gun for use on a yacht or ship.
Frankly I wouldn't bother. Not many people sell them or the ammunition and it's a fag to fill all the forms in.
I have had my Verey pistol for 15 years and wouldn't like to sail without but really, the bother isn't worth it for new users. Buy a flare pack.
IanW
dedwards
Member
Re: Confused Firearms dept
Have I understood this right?
To get the licence enabling you to buy a flare gun for a boat you need to prove that you have secure storage in your house??
what if you are a liveaboard?
Have I understood this right?
To get the licence enabling you to buy a flare gun for a boat you need to prove that you have secure storage in your house??
what if you are a liveaboard?
rhinorhino
New member
Firearms officers hate this provision, but ships-stores fall outside the firearms act.
In fact there are a number of UK registered yachts that carry heavy automatic weapons quite legally although they keep quiet about it for obvisious reasons.
Of course the ship's stores provision only applies to yachts, different rules apply if you bring the weapon ashore
In fact there are a number of UK registered yachts that carry heavy automatic weapons quite legally although they keep quiet about it for obvisious reasons.
Of course the ship's stores provision only applies to yachts, different rules apply if you bring the weapon ashore
BrendanS
Well-known member
Re: Confused Firearms dept
No. Phone a local police station and ask to speak to the firearms officer for the area. Don't talk to local plod, he won't know the rules. You can keep a flare gun aboard but need a licence for peace of mind. If you take it home, you will need a secure locker, but that isn't necessary if you keep the flare gun onboard at all times. The law is a bit complicated, but quite easy to obtain a license. Talk to the firearms officer, he can lay it all out quite simply.
No. Phone a local police station and ask to speak to the firearms officer for the area. Don't talk to local plod, he won't know the rules. You can keep a flare gun aboard but need a licence for peace of mind. If you take it home, you will need a secure locker, but that isn't necessary if you keep the flare gun onboard at all times. The law is a bit complicated, but quite easy to obtain a license. Talk to the firearms officer, he can lay it all out quite simply.
l'escargot
New member
Re: Confused Firearms dept
[ QUOTE ]
what if you are a liveaboard?
[/ QUOTE ]
You have to have approved storage wherever you intend to keep your firearm. If you are a liveaboard that would be on the boat. It is to prevent theft - if you just kept it in an insecure drawer or locker you would soon lose your certificate.
[ QUOTE ]
what if you are a liveaboard?
[/ QUOTE ]
You have to have approved storage wherever you intend to keep your firearm. If you are a liveaboard that would be on the boat. It is to prevent theft - if you just kept it in an insecure drawer or locker you would soon lose your certificate.
tome
New member
Re: Confused Firearms dept
Mine was stolen. Although I didn't lose my certificate, it was a painful experience with much form filling and many tut-tut visits. Decided not to bother with one in future.
Mine was stolen. Although I didn't lose my certificate, it was a painful experience with much form filling and many tut-tut visits. Decided not to bother with one in future.
Robin
Well-known member
Re: Confused Firearms dept
Not worth the effort I agree. When our firearm cert came up for renewal, they sent TWO reminders, then accused me of having TWO firearms not the single Dial-A-Star gizmo I had in fact. The plod who called at the house could not understand why I didn't have the 'gun' there for him to inspect in it's locked steel cabinet and was horrified when I said it was under the chart table on the boat ready for quick deployment if required!
In the end I decided it wasn't worth the effort. Getting rid of the Dial-A-Star was just as difficult! Local plod didn't want to know, but I left it on the counter and said that was their problem now not mine and left them with it, it is probably still there in the lost property cupboard!
Not worth the effort I agree. When our firearm cert came up for renewal, they sent TWO reminders, then accused me of having TWO firearms not the single Dial-A-Star gizmo I had in fact. The plod who called at the house could not understand why I didn't have the 'gun' there for him to inspect in it's locked steel cabinet and was horrified when I said it was under the chart table on the boat ready for quick deployment if required!
In the end I decided it wasn't worth the effort. Getting rid of the Dial-A-Star was just as difficult! Local plod didn't want to know, but I left it on the counter and said that was their problem now not mine and left them with it, it is probably still there in the lost property cupboard!
