Flare guns

[mark_sabin]

Hi gang,

a recent trip to the states found me in the local Chandlery having a browse. There was a plentiful variety of Flare Guns on sale. Does anyone know the legal position in the Uk for possesing one?

Boat back in the water last friday, looking forward to the first sail of "our" season next saturday

Mark

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[alant]

Why would you want one?

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[Joe_Cole]

I think that they qualify as small arms and can only be used with the appropriate licence. However, I'm sure that there are others on the forum who would be more authoritative on this than I am.

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[Ecartar]

A search on this forum (PBO) using keyword 'pistol' with '1 year' criteria should give you all the info. you require.

Regards,

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[snowleopard]

pretty well any non-disposable device for projecting a flare into the air is classified as a firearm and needs a certificate. it's not hard to get but requires you to show a lockable steel box secured to the structure of your house to store it when not on board.

don't be tempted by the fact that you can buy 12-bore pistols and flares over the counter in US chandleries. if a customs man finds that sort of gear on board you've got problems!

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[ianwright]

You will need a fire arms certificate from your chief constable. A bit of a clat to get but as long as it is only for "Ship Safety" equipment it's free.
I have carried a Very flare pistol for twenty years. There used to be advantages over normal flares, price mainly, but I doubt I'd bother getting one today. . They are not keen on them in Holland without a Dutch Cert in addition to the British one. Break the rules and gaol time is mandatory..
Probably best to get a RORC pack and be done with it imo


IanW

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[snowleopard]

Flares as weapons

i wonder why the authorities regard a spring-propelled mini flare projector as a lethal weapon requiring a licence but let you carry parachute flares around as if they were penny fireworks.

a parachute flare is a lethal weapon as demonstrated at a football match a few years ago.

which brings me to another point- why carry a gun on board and risk getting into big trouble when you already have several equally effective weapons on board?

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[ongolo]

Re: Flares as weapons

You people in the UK are obviously using high quality Pains-Wessex ??, but here one uses what one gets or if there is a selection, the cheapest.

So it came that Chinesse parachute flares got used (low price) on many boats, even by the maritime school. At the maritime school it was observed that these flares go in erratic derections, one made a u-turn and came back. All remaining stock was condemned/banned.

A policemen, shortly afterwards lost his hand when one of them went off in his hand. Read it only in the paper, dont know anymore. So whatever, dont use chinese flares.

Having been involved in ballistics and firearms, I was never happy to hold a flare for firing. The steel jacket of the barrel gives me additional protection. That is one reason why I prefer a Cal.4 signal pistol, but there are other good reasons.

regards ongolo


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[l'escargot]

There was a fairly exhaustive thread<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.ybw.com/cgi-bin/forums/showthreaded.pl?Cat=&Board=ym&Number=421247&page=&view=&sb=&o=&vc=1#Post421247> here </A>

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[dickh]

Re: Flares as weapons

Are the Mini flare packs really regarded as a lethal weapon? I've got one on board which I inherited with the boat. Does this mean I have to get a licence for it?


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[mark_sabin]

Good call. Dont particularily want one, jsut something else for the kids to be told not to touch. just seemed that they are in abundance over there and wondered what the situation regarding them was over here as its something I had not previously contemplated. Sounds like a lot of hassle for not a lot of gain if ata ll

thaks for all your views.

mark

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[mark_sabin]

Good call. Dont particularily want one, jsut something else for the kids to be told not to touch. just seemed that they are in abundance over there and wondered what the situation regarding them was over here as its something I had not previously contemplated. Sounds like a lot of hassle for not a lot of gain if ata ll

thanks for all your views.

mark

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