Shotguns on public transport

[ips]

I think Mr English has the best plan by far. Don't know why we all didn't think of that.

Deliberately concealing or indeed openly carrying in todays world is asking for a whole heap of trouble imo. We may not agree with the public perception of legally held / transported guns but its just the way it is now. Do what Mr English suggests.

 

[Hawkeye]

How about, find local RFD in Scotland, post your guns up on courier to RFD, collect guns and purchase cartridges. Return to RFD afterwards and post guns back to local RFD at home. Not the best solution possible, but it's an alternative option. Ring round for prices, I''ve been quoted between £10 and £20 each way before. Could save a problem with the packing and an argument with jobsworth at the train company.

+ £25 handling charge per entry by each RFD 

 

[Jonny English]

I never got charged a handling and entry fee, purely the £10 or £15 for the courier.  Ring round for prices, every RFD I spoke to was very good and accommodating if you explain your predicament.

 

[WezC]

In the pdf I posted above I did not notice but there is another table which specifies that Unloaded Guns are permitted at the discretion of the individual train companies.

In the case of First Great Western and South West Trains I am told that they use the the NCC rules and have no tighter rules of their own and so WezC should have been permitted to travel.

Worth complaining Wez?

It was last summer. And I got there in the end, just later than intended, and I now know to just break it down and hide it.

No real issue.

I believe, and I may be wrong , that some places (areas) also have individual by laws which can affect you as well on public transport. Seem to remember reading something somewhere ?

 

[Gene Holmes]

One other option.
Double gun case, but only containing stocks and barrels. Fore ends in someone else's roll on.
I am therefor only transporting harmless gun components, not complete guns.

 

[RobertBeard]

One other option. Double gun case, but only containing stocks and barrels. Fore ends in someone else's roll on. I am therefor only transporting harmless gun components, not complete guns.

Who is going to realise that they are harmless?  They will be seen to be guns and you will have a problem!

 

[Finners]

My 2p worth for what it's worth -

The legal position is unclear. However, I'm sure we could all predict the reaction of a rail worker or even the Police if it came to that. 

So the risk you take is not that clear, but the outcome could be rather nasty (withdrawal of your Certificate is a possibility) 

But in spite of that, I'd be inclined to split the component parts as you suggest and not draw attention to what you are carrying. Make sure you have your cert with you and do not carry any cartridges. 

 

[Hamster]

My 2p worth for what it's worth -

The legal position is unclear. However, I'm sure we could all predict the reaction of a rail worker or even the Police if it came to that. 

So the risk you take is not that clear, but the outcome could be rather nasty (withdrawal of your Certificate is a possibility) 

But in spite of that, I'd be inclined to split the component parts as you suggest and not draw attention to what you are carrying. Make sure you have your cert with you and do not carry any cartridges. 

My 2 pennies worth, if I HAD to carry a shot gun on a train and had taken all reasonable steps to find out whether the companies involved allowed this I'd be reluctant to do so in a concealed state because in essence you're admitting you thought it was a bit naughty. I'd carry it in a gun case (not slip) with my certificate of course, you will need to be able to argue that the inside of a train, stations, platforms etc, constitute a public place for which the law already makes adequate provisions.

 

[Jeremy Baker]

What is this public transport you're talking about?

 

[Hamster]

What is this public transport you're talking about?

Trains I believe.

 

[Jaykaysea]

My 2 pennies worth, if I HAD to carry a shot gun on a train and had taken all reasonable steps to find out whether the companies involved allowed this I'd be reluctant to do so in a concealed state because in essence you're admitting you thought it was a bit naughty. I'd carry it in a gun case (not slip) with my certificate of course, you will need to be able to argue that the inside of a train, stations, platforms etc, constitute a public place for which the law already makes adequate provisions.

An argument which sadly you don't win, I am afraid to say, as their own rules give them the right to refuse carriage to anything they want.

Just my personal experience....

 

[Hamster]

An argument which sadly you don't win, I am afraid to say, as their own rules give them the right to refuse carriage to anything they want.

I know, that's why I'd personally have to be totally sure that it's within their rules, just not worth the hassle.

 

[Gene Holmes]

What is this public transport you're talking about?

Apparently, these trains take you from one end of the country to another, whilst you relax in a carriage of your own, which I believe is called fist class.

But the best bit is, your butler, loader, cook and wife get a seperate carriage in 2nd class  :king:  

 

[Finners]

My 2 pennies worth, if I HAD to carry a shot gun on a train and had taken all reasonable steps to find out whether the companies involved allowed this I'd be reluctant to do so in a concealed state because in essence you're admitting you thought it was a bit naughty. I'd carry it in a gun case (not slip) with my certificate of course, you will need to be able to argue that the inside of a train, stations, platforms etc, constitute a public place for which the law already makes adequate provisions.

Fair enough, and I think you're right about the consequences of "admitting you thought it was a bit naughty" etc.

But, as I said, the reaction of the Rail staff to a "Gun" is fairly predictable. So, I agree with Jaykaysea ie I suspect if you tried to get onto a train with a gun slip over your shoulder, you'd fail.

Therefore, as the legal position is unclear I was offering a more practical suggestion whilst still highligting the possible risk. 

 

[Gene Holmes]

OK. so we have a definitive answer. Well at least as far as East Coast Trains are concerned, who I will be travelling with.

East Coast will allow guns onto their trains under the following conditions.

The guns should be in a locked case.

Any ammunition, should be carried in a separate locked case.

The guns/ammunition should remain in your possession at all times.

So. Booking 1st class tickets for a nice leisurely trip up north.

No knackering drive or fighting with the swarming masses on Ryanfleasyjet. :biggrin:   :biggrin:

Now need to check with the Hotel.

Some friends had the bizarre situation, where they away on a game shoot, staying at the recommended hotel. On checking in, they were told " sorry you cannot bring shotguns into the hotel" :banghead:   

 

[ips]

Good result was definitely worth checking. As for hotel, i wouldn't bother telling them about it unless you require secure storage. Big difference about potentially breaking the law by transporting gun and a hotel that might not like the idea, unless they mention it in there t&c which i doubt then i would keep quite. I must say i have never told a hotel or had a problem or heard of anyone who has.

 

[Nimbusgb]

I like the idea of posting RFD to RFD but the handling charge is a bit cheeky. I have just noticed that my local RFD wants to charge me £25 to accept my guns inbound so I will arrange to have them delivered to another who does not charge.

Just to be difficult I would ship the guns RFD and then take the hard case on the train. When the woman asked my response would be the same, nothing much in the case. ( cleaning kit, chokes, oil, etc nothing else ) then when the know-it-all-idiot informed the guard and got the police out I'd have asked them to have a word with him about wasting police time!

Be interesting to go and buy a new hard case and have some twit call in the force if you took a train ride! Charge of carrying a plastic case with a gun brand on the outside.

 

[Hamster]

I like the idea of posting RFD to RFD but the handling charge is a bit cheeky. I have just noticed that my local RFD wants to charge me £25 to accept my guns inbound so I will arrange to have them delivered to another who does not charge.

Gun shops need to charge a handling fee for taking in and doing the paper work for firearms as it takes staff time, space and responsibility of care whilst in their possession, £25 is rather reasonable if you ask me.

 

[Jeremy Baker]

£35 for my gun to Scotland. RFD to RFD both taking a wee bit each end.

 

[Nimbusgb]

Gun shops need to charge a handling fee for taking in and doing the paper work for firearms as it takes staff time, space and responsibility of care whilst in their possession, £25 is rather reasonable if you ask me.

It took all of 3 minutes to check the serial numbers and write it in to my cert and stamp it with the shop stamp. I know shops have to make a living but to be honest £500 per hour for that is verging on the ridiculous. Especially since I then get to write similar entries onto my sons certificate to allow him to have possession of the gun. The club I am a member of has a RFD number and will accept and sign off for nothing.

My doc has to write up a page to enable me to fly sailplanes. Charges me a tenner for the pleasure.