Cumbria police has been awarded £22,000 after a man failed in his bid to have his firearms licence reinstated
Carlisle Crown Court heard how the former firearms certificate holder had seen weapons and ammunition removed from his home – in the Ulverston area – following a police visit in May 2022.
Officers found two bolt-action rifles unsecured in the property, in contravention of the terms of his firearms certificates.
Upon examination by a police officer, one of the rifles was found to have two rounds in its magazine – although none in the chamber.
As such, the weapon was ready to use so that anyone entering the property would have had immediate access to a loaded rifle.
Officers also found live firearms and shotgun ammunition, unsecured, throughout the property.
He was charged with five offences relating to failing to comply with the Firearms Act in relation to a failure to comply with proper storage arrangements and requirements.
On June 6 2023, the former certificate holder appeared at South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court and admitted three of the five offences.
In spite of these admissions, the former certificate holder appealed to the court to have his firearms certificates returned to him.
However, the court upheld the decision to revoke the certificates and awarded the constabulary £22,000 in costs.
Cumbria Constabulary’s Assistant Chief Constable Jonathan Blackwell said: “The public would expect that the highest standards are required of firearms certificate holders, and we take our role in ensuring those standards are complied with extremely seriously.
“In this instance the constabulary reached the decision to revoke the certificates in light of a number of factors – not least the former certificate holder’s irresponsibility with regards the safe storage of firearms and ammunition.
“In the face of the appeal, the constabulary maintained that, in order to keep the public safe, the revocation of the certificates should stand. This position was supported by the court, which also granted substantial costs to the police.
“While it is acknowledged the majority of certificate holders comply with all requirements relating to their possession of firearms, our hope would be for this case to serve as an example to other firearms certificate holders, reminding them of their obligations and responsibilities to properly and securely store firearms and related ammunition.”
