One of my grandparents died recently and my brother and I have been charged with sorting through his stuff. My brother has literally just come downstairs after sorting an old pile of boxes and has in his hand a Webley .455 service issue revolver, which I'd imagine would still shoot.
I know it was my grandfathers as he showed me it when I was a kid but I hadn't seen it in nearly 20 years until now. I'm pretty sure it fires and there is ammuntion with it.
What the hell do I do with the thing? If we got it deactivated (handguns are illegal in the UK) are they going to question how I walked in with a live handgun? If I handed it in to the police would I never see it again?!
Thanks
2006-06-12 04:06:49 · 28 answers · asked by DaveyMcB 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
Just tell the police the truth, but they will take it from you!!
2006-06-12 04:09:01 · answer #1 · answered by sling it bird 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't think the police could confiscate it if you told them you had found it and were going to get it deactivated - there would probably be conditions regarding proving you had done this though. Give your local police station a ring and ask them - it's better that then get into trouble for habing it.
My sympathies for the death of your grandparent.
I wouldn't keep an activated gun - there's no telling what might happen. If it's an antique (I'm not good on guns but it sounds like it is) I'm sure you want to keep it, and the police can't confiscate your property if you are doing everything you can to decomission it.
2006-06-12 11:10:55 · answer #2 · answered by squimberley 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends how much you're willing to risk to keep the gun as a souvenir.
If the gun has not been cleaned and maintained, it probably will not fire properly, and in fact could be dangerous to the user.
Also, as you mentioned, there are strict legal restrictions on handgun ownership in the UK; so if you're caught with it, you could face serious legal problems.
Your best and safest course of action would be to telephone the police, explain the circumstances to them as you've explained them to us, and ask them what to do. I'm sure you will not be prosecuted if you voluntarily turn in the gun and get it disabled; you might even be able to keep it after the firing pin is removed.
If you would like to be able to legally own firearms, you should move to the US. It is a freer country than any in Europe.
2006-06-12 11:20:11 · answer #3 · answered by sandislandtim 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know you will be wanting to hold onto your grandfather's things as keepsakes of him and who he was - but to my mind, the only reason you'd hang on to a gun is if somewhere along the line you intend to use it for the purpose it was designed. It's not a great way to remember your grandfather, I'd say.
I would phone your local police station, tell them the circumstances, and ask them what to do. Chances are they'll come and collect it, and no, probably you wont have it returned.
What you DON'T want to do is walk into a police station, even perfectly innocently, carrying a gun - reckon they might react in quite an extreme way to that...
Don't put off dealing with it though.
2006-06-12 13:11:05 · answer #4 · answered by justasiam29 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the only thing you can do is tell the police the whole story or what about a museum would they be interested in it? Either way I think you should deal with it now, you know what the police are like in this country don't leave anything to chance or sell it at auction if there is any way of doing this. Seek advice immediately.
Sorry to hear about the death of your beloved grandfather stay strong - wot would he want you to do with the gun? Remember kep yourself right.
2006-06-12 11:14:40 · answer #5 · answered by missieclass 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OK, it sounds like you are not interested in breaking the law by owning a live handgun. Get it deactivated if you want to keep it. They may ask questions, so give them the answers.You haven't done anything wrong...yet. If you turn it into the police, you will probably never see it again.
2006-06-12 11:12:20 · answer #6 · answered by butrcupps 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want to keep it, do so. Your grandfather had it for 20 years without getting into trouble. As long as you aren't using it or showing it to people the police aren't going to know. Telling the police about it will likely only get it confiscated and you will never see it again.
2006-06-12 11:21:54 · answer #7 · answered by » mickdotcom « 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unload the thing, safely yourself. Make sure there is no way a bullet could come out of it. And just keep it hidden with your personal belongings. But you are talking to a United States citizen from a country that people may freely carry a firearm. I don't like that at all.
2006-06-12 12:44:04 · answer #8 · answered by Alex 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do not take it out side, keep it safe telephone the police explain the situation, when they arrive do not touch the gun or pick it up.
Place it on a table in plain site and stay away from it.
Explain that you would like to have it as a memento they may be able to have it plugged and returned to you
remember do not touch it let the police pick it up and make it safe
2006-06-12 11:15:04 · answer #9 · answered by Robert B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take it to the nearest police station immediately. Tell them that you found it amongst your late grandfather's things. You will not get into trouble. Ask them if it can be made harmless and if you can keep it as a memento. If not, don't worry about. You haven't seen it or missed it in 20 years, so you won't miss it now.
2006-06-12 11:11:00 · answer #10 · answered by notyou311 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My first suggestion is to get a lawyer for advice. Telling the truth to police is important but you shouldn't be punished just because your grandfather kept something from an era that allowed people to have guns. Once you've got representation listen to their insight and follow their advice if you think its best and I wouldn't expect to get it back even if they deactivate it.
2006-06-16 18:49:17 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋