Hypothetical Question Due To This Being An Open Forum

[cyclonebri1 8]

You buy a new shotgun, 12g semi.

You have a standard SC

It's specified for 2.5, 2.75 and 3" shells

 

You find you can load 1 up the spout and 3 x 2 1/2" jobbies into the mag, will fire all 4.

 

For discussion.

 

Don't shoot me I'm only the m............

[walshie 2,804]

Most semis that are chambered for larger shells can do this (in theory) but while the gun is loaded with 3+1 it is a Section 1 shotgun so not covered by your certificate.

 

If you don't put the extra shell in there it remains Section 2.

[Mickyblue 0]

always stay within the law and don't loose your licence every shooter is needed these days

[SportingShooter 0]

It can happen, more so with a 3.5" semi,

 

Stick to what you're meant to be in possession of

[rodp 316]

Mine is capable, but I don't do it. Chances of getting caught are slim but the fact remains you then have an unlicensed firearm, that's not for me thank you !

[abarrett 462]

I've got a semi auto hatstand

I'm over the moon when I get two consecutive shots

Never mind 4

[Alsone 789]

Very unwise thing to try. Get caught with 4 up the spout (less likely) or get observed firing more than 3 shots (more likely if police are watching because of a call or just passing), and you're in deep trouble. You're illegally in possession of a S1 Firearm. Isn't the penalty now 5 years minimum for that?

[Born Hunter 17,909]

Surely the fact that it is capable of holding more than 2 in the magazine means it's no longer classified as a shotgun by law? Whether or not you use that capability is neither here nor there I would have thought?

[ianm 2,594]

Very unwise thing to try. Get caught with 4 up the spout (less likely) or get observed firing more than 3 shots (more likely if police are watching because of a call or just passing), and you're in deep trouble. You're illegally in possession of a S1 Firearm. Isn't the penalty now 5 years minimum for that?

 

 

Your never going to get five years for it unless you are in a nightclub with a pistol.

 

I have known of several people getting between nine months and two years for possesing unlicensed shotguns.

 

One bloke who had a license but had three off ticket .410's aswell was fined £1200 and his license revoked.

 

BUT why risk anything, if you have a genuine need for a high capacity shotgun ie: crop protection just apply for a section 1 and you will get it no problem.

 

Several years ago my son bought a Baikal mp153 and by accident we discovered you could put three in the mag. I took it back to the gun shop straight away. They knew about it and so apparantly do the police, infact he showed me a letter from them. This letter outlined that certain 3 1/2" semi's could take three in the mag but they where not unduly bothered, they just expect people to abide by thier license and not do it.

 

 

So! just don't do it and there isn't a problem.

Edited January 15, 2015 by ianm

[mad4it 695]

it not worth trying or doing because you dont know who watching in not worth the risk

[Alsone 789]

 

Very unwise thing to try. Get caught with 4 up the spout (less likely) or get observed firing more than 3 shots (more likely if police are watching because of a call or just passing), and you're in deep trouble. You're illegally in possession of a S1 Firearm. Isn't the penalty now 5 years minimum for that?

 

 

Your never going to get five years for it unless you are in a nightclub with a pistol.

 

 

Probably not, but I looked it up.

 

It all depends on how the police deal with you. If it's dealt with summarily (in Magistrates Court) it's a fine up to the maximum (£5,000) and / or up to 6 months in prison. If it's dealt with via the Crown Court, then it's 5 years compulsory or 7 with aggravation:

 

http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/s_to_u/sentencing_manual/section_1_firearms_act/

 

You're right though, it's highly unlikely a simple "mistake" or "misjudgement" like this would be dealt with in Crown Court.

Edited January 15, 2015 by Alsone

[charlie caller 3,654]

There are still some old shotguns out there chambered for the old 2" cartridge, which I believe can still be purchased, so I would suggest every 3 shot semi would be able to load 4 or possibly more....... 3.5" chambered guns! of these old 2" shells, the current legislation is based on the chambering of the gun, so, you have a 23/4" chambered semi auto, it is not capable of loading more than 3 23/4" shells and so on, stick to the rules and there will be no problems, in the same way that the airgun shooter COULD take his pre charged whatever over the 12ftlbs limit, if you require a firearms rated air rifle or shotgun, get the relevant paperwork, otherwise forget it.

[walshie 2,804]

Doesn't really matter what the penalty would be. If you can avoid a slapped wrist, avoid it.

[cyclonebri1 8]

 

Very unwise thing to try. Get caught with 4 up the spout (less likely) or get observed firing more than 3 shots (more likely if police are watching because of a call or just passing), and you're in deep trouble. You're illegally in possession of a S1 Firearm. Isn't the penalty now 5 years minimum for that?

 

 

Your never going to get five years for it unless you are in a nightclub with a pistol.

 

I have known of several people getting between nine months and two years for possesing unlicensed shotguns.

 

One bloke who had a license but had three off ticket .410's aswell was fined £1200 and his license revoked.

 

BUT why risk anything, if you have a genuine need for a high capacity shotgun ie: crop protection just apply for a section 1 and you will get it no problem.

 

Several years ago my son bought a Baikal mp153 and by accident we discovered you could put three in the mag. I took it back to the gun shop straight away. They knew about it and so apparantly do the police, infact he showed me a letter from them. This letter outlined that certain 3 1/2" semi's could take three in the mag but they where not unduly bothered, they just expect people to abide by thier license and not do it.

 

 

So! just don't do it and there isn't a problem.

 

Marvellous what some folks read into post. ( don't mean the quoted 1 above).

 

What I was getting at is, is it a common finding with a semi?, this being the 1st time I've been involved with 1 and do both the importers and dealers and more importantly the police realise the situation??

 

The above post demonstrates to sensible approach from all concerned and I thank Ianm for his post.

 

It's not about whether you want an illegal firearm, it's about you having one. ie, your gun is a 4 shot if you have 2 1/2" shells in your pocket, just as an air rifle is illegal if you have the means to make it so on your person, check that one out if you don't believe me

 

And don't let anyone tell you it's easy to get a multi shot 12g on firearms, it's not, at least not been successful for those I knew had tried, and I for 1 agree given the time taken to reload a standard gun only those in employed pest control are likely to be granted it, but this isn't my issue. It was just a general query as I now know the issue is common place and accepted.

 

Would be an interesting court case though for the Manf, importer, and dealer if someone was prosecuted and turned it on them

[Alsone 789]

I can't see it happening, or at least anyone being prosecuted / sued successfully. That's like suing a car manufacturer for the fact that the car can travel faster than the speed limit, because you got prosecuted for speeding.

 

Or a fizzy drinks manufacturer for carpet stains because a fizzy drinks bottle will spray fizzy drink everywhere if you shake it before opening it.

 

Fact is you can abuse just about anything, what the law is going to look at is it's intended use and does it comply with regulations for that purpose.

 

If you (not you personally), are stupid enough to abuse that, by driving faster than the speed limit, shaking a fizzy drinks bottle, turning you air rifle up or sliding in a 3rd cartridge into a magazine designed for 2 larger cartridges, then that's your responsibility and ultimately you pay the price whether that's a speeding ticket, a cleaning ticket or new carpet, or a prosecution for overloading a shotgun with a smaller cartridge in a greater quantity than it was designed for and that your licensed for.

Edited January 16, 2015 by Alsone