Can I carry gardening tools in public?

[Obelix]

I saw a chap walking through Barnsley town centre last week carrying a gun case. No idea if it was a shot gun, air gun or rifle. I didn't think you were allowed to do that? I thought you could go from home to the range with such a weapon, not wander around town...

 

Of course it could have been an empty case.

 

You dont even need a gun case or slip. All you have to have is "good reason" and a certificate that covers the use of it (or have an exempt air rifle/pistol)

[RootsBooster]

I saw a chap walking through Barnsley town centre last week carrying a gun case. No idea if it was a shot gun, air gun or rifle. I didn't think you were allowed to do that? I thought you could go from home to the range with such a weapon, not wander around town...

 

Of course it could have been an empty case.

 

..or he could have been walking through town on his way home, or to a range or other shooting premises.

[Santo]

..or he could have been walking through town on his way home, or to a range or other shooting premises.

 

Plausibly. Like I say, I'm not sure of the UK law on wandering about with a firearm.

[Obelix]

Plausibly. Like I say, I'm not sure of the UK law on wandering about with a firearm.

 

The police are generally fine with it. I once had to catch a train home with three rifles after a car accident - there were a few raised eyebrows from BTP but I pointed out I could hardly leave them in the car overnight.

 

Odd looks from the other passengers however!

[El Cid]

The awl is just as illegal. As is a hatpin or a steel tentpeg, or a bag of nails... all "sharply pointed" devices - so you need good cause for them....

 

So if I am wearing my gardening trousers and boots, I will be ok; but if I happen to be multi-tasking and going on errands after and wearing my trainers - I will be up in court

[unbeliever]

As with so many things which need to be controlled for public safety but cannot be outright banned for practical reasons we depend on the judgement of the police, failing that the judgement of the CPS and if that should fail too then the courts.

As with all laws like this, they're written vaguely and then fleshed out by case law. Just don't take the mick and you'll be fine.

Also, don't expect the police to be entirely consistent because they're not entirely sure what the fine detail of the law is either. They're not lawyers and certainly not specialist lawyers in every field.

If you're ever challenged by any legal authorities on this matter just stay calm, tell them honestly why you're carrying whatever you're carrying and it really should all work out. Don't be terribly shocked wither if they "let you off with a warning" which sometimes is code for "were wrong to suspect you of wrongdoing". They like to save face like that.

[RootsBooster]

So if I am wearing my gardening trousers and boots, I will be ok; but if I happen to be multi-tasking and going on errands after and wearing my trainers - I will be up in court

 

If you are multitasking... like still wearing your bloodsoaked apron from your abattoir dayjob, rushing down the street to your evening gardening job with an armful of scythes and machetes... that might get you pulled by the plod.

[unbeliever]

If you are multitasking... like still wearing your bloodsoaked apron from your abattoir dayjob, rushing down the street to your evening gardening job with an armful of scythes and machetes... that might get you pulled by the plod.

 

Quite right. Animal blood can be a health and safety hazard and aprons are just so last year.

[El Cid]

If you are multitasking... like still wearing your bloodsoaked apron from your abattoir dayjob, rushing down the street to your evening gardening job with an armful of scythes and machetes... that might get you pulled by the plod.

 

I think you are getting me mixed up with Alcoblog

[Santo]

Quite right. Animal blood can be a health and safety hazard and aprons are just so last year.

 

Even the ones with hunky bodies printed on them or sexy women??

 

Damn!