Am I allowed to leave my rifle in the car when not deer stalking?

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Can I leave my rifle in the car after deer stalking?

Take the rifle bolt with you when leaving the car.

By George Wallace

Friday, 25 November 2011

I have just completed the DSC Level 1 and was told during the course that I am only allowed to have a rifle in my car while going to and from my stalking ground.

In other words I cannot leave it in the car after the morning stalk or before going out in the evening. I have never heard this before. Is it correct?

DEER STALKING
George Wallace
The whole of the legislation on the safekeeping of firearms is contained in Condition 4(a) and 4(b) on your firearm certificate.

These circumstances come under 4(b) which says: “Where a firearm or ammunition to which the certificate relates is in use or the holder has it with him for the purpose of cleaning, repairing or testing it or for some other purpose connected with its use, transfer or sale, or the firearm or ammunition is in transit to or from a place in connection with its use or any such purpose, reasonable precautions must be taken for the safe custody of the firearm or ammunition.”

That is the Law; anything else you hear, whether from me, from the Home Office or from the police, is advice, NOT legislation.

I am sure you won’t need me to tell you that rifles should not be left in unattended vehicles unless there is no reasonable alternative.

And if they are so left, then they should be concealed from view with the bolt and ammunition removed so that a thief cannot use the rifle, even if he breaks into, or steals the vehicle.

If you do that, you are taking the “reasonable precautions” required by the condition on your firearm certificate.