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Devon and Cornwall Police have reassured shooters that the situation described in the email was fantasy
By Selena Masson, Shooting Times
Monday, 08 December 2008
An alarming viral email was recently widely distributed among members of the shooting community. It alleged that shoots will be specifically targeted by police with breathalyser tests over the Christmas period and has resulted in the police and BASC reassuring shooters that this is not the case
The email, which was changed from its original version and subsequently circulated among shooters, prompted concern after it described how Devon and Cornwall Police were targeting 4x4 vehicles especially in shooting areas and particularly if they are muddy and it is after lunch. Most importantly,
the email went on to state, incorrectly, that in one incident in Devon both the driver and passenger of a 4x4 were breathalysed simply because they were in possession of shotguns.
BASC’s Mike Eveleigh said that the association had been besieged with calls
from worried members: “I have contacted several firearms licensing departments in different parts of the UK and none has any knowledge of such a policy, if, in fact, it exists. It is a shame that this seems to have caused unnecessary distrust of the police.”
Devon and Cornwall Police’s assistant chief constable Paul Netherton reassured Shooting Times that the situation described in the email was fantasy: “This story has been blown out of all proportion. Despite reports, the passenger was not breathalysed. This would have been a routine Christmas drink-drive campaign check where only the driver was breath-tested. We are definitely not targeting muddy 4x4s in Devon and Cornwall.”
He went on to say, however, that it is worth reiterating the law surrounding
shotguns and alcohol. Under Section 12 of the 1872 Licensing Act: It is an offence to be drunk on a highway, public place or licensed premises, with a loaded firearm. He added: “If the gun is unloaded and in its slip, however, that isn’t an offence. Having said that, being in possession of a firearm, even if unloaded, bears responsibilities and I wouldn’t recommend anyone being drunk around guns.”
The rest of this article appears in 11 December issue of Shooting Times.
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