Drill Purpose Rifle L59A1 UK Legal Status

[Brit plumber]

You know Peter, you really are cheap!!

I've got a L1A1, a M1 carbine and a Enfield No.4, all deactivated before 1988 (1986,1986 and 1987), obviously these arn't covered by the 1988 act so technically arn't deactivated (even though they have 'Modified' proof certs).

So, if I ever need your help, I'll have a sandwhich waiting here for you!

[spinecracker]

No. The answer is do not ask the local Police and risk bringing things to a head.

Sorry, my comment was supposed to be sarcasm - I must be losing my skill - been away from England too long lol

[Peter Laidler]

This only relates to UK Forumers.............

Maybe the HBSA and the LERA ought to get their heads together on this. knowing the status and importance of the L59 Drill Rifle (ALWAYS refer to it as such from now on.....) in the history of the Lee Enfield, they shoud approach the Home Office with all the facts, figures, statements, drawings etc etc to get a binding opinion.

This way, any decision is taken out of the hands or whim of an area Chief Constable and without going through the magisterial legal process, get it clariified once and for all. It needn't cost a penny if you ignore your time and effort.

What's keeping you?

[Alan de Enfield]

This only relates to UK Forumers.............

Maybe the HBSA and the LERA ought to get their heads together on this. knowing the status and importance of the L59 Drill Rifle (ALWAYS refer to it as such from now on.....) in the history of the Lee Enfield, they shoud approach the Home Office with all the facts, figures, statements, drawings etc etc to get a binding opinion.

This way, any decision is taken out of the hands or whim of an area Chief Constable and without going through the magisterial legal process, get it clariified once and for all. It needn't cost a penny if you ignore your time and effort.

What's keeping you?

Good idea, and why not get "two for the price of one", and get a ruling on these as well ?



Obviously (well to anyone who knows guns) it is incapable of firing, but it doesnt have a deact certificate, so I guess its still section 1

[Peter Laidler]

I'd certainly write up the technical paper for whoever opted to put the matter forward. I'd include the skeletonized too

[Simon P]

Peter, I am up for taking this forward to get clarification one way or the other.

[Peter Laidler]

I'll do my bit. So what I suggest is a member report up the chain of command to HBSA, then HBSA (or vice verca) get the LERA to join forces, get the info collated and I'll submit our technical docs and report and specimen product (or photos of) and off it goes

Now let's not have any more defeatist talk...................

[Beerhunter]

Obviously (well to anyone who knows guns) it is incapable of firing, but it doesnt have a deact certificate, so I guess its still section 1

Sorry, can't agree. I habitually used to fire blanks at school from one. (I never had the guts to try live but I reckon that it would as a minimum cope with a reduced load.) I simply substituted a 'service rifle' bolt for the skeletonised one. I know from meeting other ex CCF and ACF Cadets over the years, I was not alone.

BTW. HBSA policy has always been anti-deact, especially for firearms that are available under Section 1 and Section 7, and so when we take up the case of the L59 Drill Rifle we need to be careful to assure others in HBSA that this is a one-off for a piece of history that has already been 'converted'.

[Mk VII]

You won't get binding opinions out of the HO, you will get 'guidance', which the police can ignore, or hide behind, as it suits their purpose. It's bound up with the supposed 'independence' of Chief Constables (though that's largely a legal fiction).

[Simon P]

I have pushed it up through the HBSA to see if they would support this, with the offer to do any donkey work required.