Very type flare pistol.

[mickshep]

Further to an earlier post I have contaced the our local police firearms section regarding the licence for the above. They have said that they will issue a certificate for the above and if it is the only item listed, as a signalling device there will be no charge. I think that as such it may well be a good back up to the poyro's I already carry. As they are readily available on the net for as little as $40 from the USA I wondered if anyone had tried to import one themselves by post (without having the anti-terrorist branch breaking down the door at 3am). Can they be obtained over here at all and if so where from? Cheers in advance. Mike.

<hr width=100% size=1>"Naaa mate, she's made of tin"

 

[BrendanS]

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.primetake.co.uk/products.asp#>http://www.primetake.co.uk/products.asp#</A>

probably not anywhere near $40 though

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[aod]

I like you investigated the possibility and even went as far as having the forms sent through to me, but when I looked at the forms I thought bugger that for a game of soldiers it's not worth the grief!

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[mickshep]

To be honest the police were fine with me. Just send in a photo for certificate, no home visit etc, as long as only for a "signaling aid" If I want to import one then let them know so they can answer any queries from HM Customs. Have to say they were very helpfull. Biggest problem to date is finding supplier in U.S who will ship to the U.K, As with a lot of things today I think different police authorities have different ways of interpreting the law, Will keep looking. Cheers Mike

<hr width=100% size=1>"Naaa mate, she's made of tin"

 

[samuel]

I have had a very pistol for 35 years. At first it was just a case of filling in a few forms for the firearms certificate. But as time passed we even had the situation where Essex police cruised down the Blackwater to inspect the boat & were radioing to shore to check when they could not find it.
The last certificate was issued by Essex police & I had 2 visits. The worst thing is the fact that I have to find 2 persons who are prepared to write detailed descriptions about me even about whether I have a stable marriage.
In addition I need an European licence for when I travel abroad.
The flares cost (at present) about £ 6-00 each or less 25% if I get £ 100-00 worth.
I have some that have lasted 35 years & cost about 25P from Captain O M Watts. The pistol cost £25-00. The licence is free so all in all a very (sorry!!)cheap safety signal.
I was going to give it up due to the hassle but I hate officialdom so just keep it so as not to give in.
Incidently I have had numerous unannounced calls by the police. On one occassion I could not remember the code to the lock on the safe I keep it in when at home. The wife opened the safe & I ended up wwith a serious lecture about the wife having access to it. They felt she could feel the need to shoot me with it. To be honest I would not expect her to do that on dry land but a few days sailing with me might tempt her. But then of course the pistol is not locked up anyway !!!
If you can stand the hassle it is a useful tool. The flares do not last as long as a rocket but you can fire of several in succession. You do get quite a bang . The whites are very useful and I have had to fire at some fishing boats who were intent on ramming me . One in particular seemed to be deliberately trying to damage me off Ostend. I dont recommend you should go about aiming it at ships but used sensibly it does notify your position to an approaching vessel.
Regards

<hr width=100% size=1>Justisla

 

[Plum]

Mike, you will discover that the firearms licence not only lists the specific pistol, by serial number, but also the number of flares you have, and the maximun number of flares you can have at any one time.

This means that:

1) you need to obtain the licence with no specific pistol listed, take it to a registered firearms dealer who sells you the pistol and signs your licence to say you bought it from him/her, then send the licence to the police who will reissue it with the specific pistol endorsement. Only then are you leagally entitled to own and use that pistol. I think this may preclude you buying outside the UK.

2) regarding flares (amunition) a Uk dealer cannot sell you flares without seeing that your licence allows you to own the amont he is selling to you, and, although I will have to check this to be sure, I beleive he has to sign your licence to say he has sold you the flares. I am not sure how this would work if you bought the flares from outside the UK. By the way, there is no restriction on how many flares can be listed on your licence, as long as you can convince the police that you number you want is resonable.

In my experience, you should expect a home visit by the police.


Hope this helps.

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