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AIBU?

Neighbours getting guns

25 replies

TakeItFromMe · 20/04/2016 11:56

A few months ago our NDN approached DH to ask if he could put his name down as a reference, because he and his DW were planning on applying for gun licences. My DH said yes but the reference request has never arrived.

Over the intervening months there has been much chat from him about guns, gun cabinets, etc and now it seems he's bought a cabinet and installed it so I guess he has the licence (I know nothing about guns btw).

Although he is lovely and chatty to speak to, he has told us he's had severe MH problems in the past and been on medication for it (I also know nothing about MH issues, btw). I am friends with him on Facebook and 90% of posts are Britain First type propaganda about killing Muslims and immigrants. He also hates cats and jokes casually about how he would shoot one on his property if he had a gun. He boasted a couple of years ago about shooting a cat with an air rifle (are these unlicensed? No idea).

I've got real concerns about this neighbour owning a gun as I think he's a bit of a loose cannon. I don't know his wife at all. I'm not sure what my AIBU is really, just seeking advice about guns from people who might know about them. Can I assume he's been vetted carefully and they deem him fit to own guns? Would it include vetting of Facebook posts?

Put it this way my DD wants a cat and there is no way we are getting one whilst he's got a gun next door...

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MyFavouriteClintonisGeorge · 20/04/2016 11:58

Don't assume anything-you can contact the police and explain your concerns.

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chemenger · 20/04/2016 12:10

I have been a referee for a gun licence and the police contacted me by phone to discuss it. Mental health and general doubts about responsibility were the things we discussed. I would contact your local police to voice your concerns. If nothing else you will know you have tried to do something.

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Enoughisenough9 · 20/04/2016 12:12

Please say something.

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ViewingEnded · 20/04/2016 12:12

He will not get a gun license until he has been interviewed by the police and his cabinet has been safety checked for both standards, fitting and positioning.

The police should also speak to you if you are his referee - I would most definitely speak to the appropriate department at the local police station and voice your concerns. There will be a specific officer who deals with firearms licenses.

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VioletTea · 20/04/2016 12:14

So you haven't been able to give a reference yet? Please chase this up...

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MeDownSouth · 20/04/2016 12:16

If his MH issues were bad enough they'd stop him getting a licence.
Have a read of content.met.police.uk/Article/What-Is-Suspicious-Activity/1400006267719/1400006267719 they did a fab workshop with us at work and basically said if you're worried report it, we'll worry about whether it's real or not. They also said not to worry that you'd be wasting their time as they're rather you report than not.
Hope this helps

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NeedsAsockamnesty · 20/04/2016 12:17

He has to have the gun cabinets before he can get any paperwork, he's asked you to be a referee so call up the dept that deals with it and be one, highlight your concerns

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GraysAnalogy · 20/04/2016 12:18

I didn't even realise people could do this in the UK I mean I know obviously some folk have them like farmers but I'd never actually thought about how they managed to get them Blush

Personally I'd be discussing your concerns with the police.

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lamiashiro · 20/04/2016 12:22

If there are MH issues, his GP will also have to provide a report.

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TakeItFromMe · 20/04/2016 21:05

Thank you for the responses. I'd assumed as he'd put up the cabinet that the licence had been obtained but I can see now that that was wrong. If my DH told them of our concerns, would our NDN know it was us? How many references do they ask for?

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TakeItFromMe · 20/04/2016 21:09

Grays - we live really rurally, farming area but also 'shooting for pleasure' type area. He said he and his wife wanted a hobby together. I'd rather they took up cross-stitch tbh.

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QOD · 20/04/2016 21:11

If you spoke now BEFORE he's officially asked for a reference, they wouldn't t assume it's you

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TakeItFromMe · 20/04/2016 21:12

Do I just ring 101?

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Pseudo341 · 20/04/2016 21:18

101 seems like a good place to start, they'll put you through to your local police dept who will be able to get you through to the right people if they're not the right people themselves iyswim.

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hefzi · 20/04/2016 21:22

No - you have to have a cabinet etc before you can have the licence (and the gun!) if he has MH issues, his GP should comment on them, but the police will definitely contact your OH for a reference, in which case, any concerns he has he can raise.

I used to have a licence myself, but surrendered it for MH reasons (I wasn't going to hurt anyone else, but as I couldn't even be trusted with painkillers or sharp knives, so a shotgun was a step too far!) and even when renewing it, they were very careful etc about checking up. AFAIK, they don't check things like FB, but they do rely on what the references and the GPs say to make their decision.

FWIW, just because he is crass enough to post nonsense about harming immigrants, he's not necessarily a)going to or b) getting a gun for those reasons. Air rifles don't need a licence, or a cabinet - but if you ever get the slightest hint (presumably, when he made the crack about shooting a cat Angry you pulled him up on it at the time?) that he's being cruel to animals in anyway, report it at once. The RSPCA mostly won't do anything until they get multiple reports (unless you report him for contravening the Hunting Act Wink) but the police take it very seriously indeed. He doesn't sound the most savoury sort of person, even if he is "joking" - I don't blame you for being nervous, and you definitely ought to get your DP to pass all this on in his reference.

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AuntJane · 20/04/2016 21:27

The gun cabinet has to be installed and inspected before the licence is granted. Also, references will be sought from his GP and, generally, a diagnosis of depression will lead to the application being rejected; other MH issues will also have an effect.

If you have concerns, contact your local police station and ask to speak to the Firearms Liaison Officer.

For the record, in my part of the country it takes 10-12 months for the application process to go through, so don't worry if your husband hasn't been interviewed within six weeks.

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Leeds2 · 20/04/2016 21:34

It could be that, in the end, he asked someone other than your DH to be his reference.

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readytorage · 20/04/2016 21:42

I would be incredibly uneasy OP.

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flanjabelle · 20/04/2016 21:49

Definitely call the police for a chat. Asap, then they won't know it was you. Good luck op. 101 should be able to point you in the right direction.

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mineofuselessinformation · 20/04/2016 21:54

I still own a gun cabinet from when I used to shoot - I don't own a firearm of any description and haven't for years (I use the gun cabinet as a safe).
If you haven't been asked for a reference, I would assume that he hasn't applied yet.

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hunton1 · 21/04/2016 16:46

As others have said, the gun cabinet must be fitted prior to the Police doing the home visit/interview so they can inspect that it is securely fitted. This is not a cause for concern.

As far as referees go, it used to be the case that the applicant would provide each referee with a form to post in, which the applicant never saw. This is no longer the case since Form 101 (Firearm Certificates) and 102 (Shotgun Certificates) were amalgamated into the multi-purpose application Form 201 and they did away with referee forms. The applicant writes down the details of the two people who have agreed to be your referees and the Police then contact the referees when the application makes it to the top of the pile.

Depending on which force area you are in, some Forces are currently WAY behind, and are prioritising Renewals over new applications for First-Time Grants. In some areas, Grants are taking more than 6 months to process, which would be why you haven't been contacted yet (assuming they have indeed nominated you as a referee).

Mental Health is not in itself an issue. It's just one of the many things they consider as part of the vetting process and (like everything else) is dealt with very much on a case by case basis. I know someone who developed quite severe depression as a result of serious illness and were medicated for it. As they recovered, they came off the meds, down to talking therapy. They joined a club, and eventually got a Firearm Certificate.

That conversation was definitely had between Police/GP/Applicant and between the Police and the Club Secretary, and ultimately they deemed it was not a problem. In many ways, joining the club and the social environment it provided had been positively therapeutic to his condition. In other cases the decision may go the other way. Case by case as I say.

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YelloRoses · 21/04/2016 17:15

I would hate for him to be my neighbor you must be a really nice person to talk to him. As others have said mention to police but dont reference

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travellinglighter · 21/04/2016 23:17

I’ve never held a firearms licence but I have had quite a lot of experience with firearms through the military.

I’ve always been slightly uneasy about those who are too keen on guns. The two biggest gun enthusiasts I know, I wouldn’t trust with a balloon and a sharp stick. One has anger management issues, is elderly and as a consequence holds very un PC attitudes to the ethnically, sexually or nationally diverse. Had to listen to him brag about attempting to intimidate his next door neighbour who had the temerity to be black. Seriously considered contacting the police. Didn’t, should have.

The second chap has been section under the mental health acting after driving round to his ex wife’s house to beat up her new hubby. When he was arrested he had a shotgun and ammo in his boot. They have taken the guns off him thank god. He’s still determined to get them back.

To counteract that, i know lots of people who view firearms as tools. My cousins hold licence and a more sensible bunch you’ve never met. However they are farmers.

Maybe there should be a psych evaluation.

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dodobookends · 21/04/2016 23:32

Perhaps they have decided that due to his previous MH issues, that only his DW will be applying for the licence?

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Giggorata · 22/04/2016 00:23

Yes, an application from his partner would get round any MH issues, as theoretically, only the licence holder should know where the keys to the cabinet are kept.....
Mm mm.
I would definitely say something to the Firearms Officer, before it gets any further, then it will be more likely to safeguard your anonymity.
Btw, I'm not anti gun, we have guns. I'm pro responsible gun ownership, & he sounds dodgy.

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