Hunters' breathalyser fears
SHOOTING enthusiasts have been offered advice over fears they could be given breathalyser tests.
Concerns have been raised by reports police in some areas of the country may be targeting shooting enthusiasts even if they are only passengers in cars.
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TAKING AIM: A game hunter and his dog on a grouse shoot, but concerns have been raised that members of shooting parties may be breathalysed by police when only passengers in cars.
In one reported incident police breathalysed a passenger on the grounds he might be committing an offence if found to be over the legal alcohol limit in charge of shotguns.
Peter Geldart, rural affairs consultant with Lincolnshire and Humber solicitors Bridge McFarland, said: "People were naturally concerned about the legal position of passengers in such circumstances because, traditionally, many shooting parties have ended with the guns enjoying a stiff, warming drink.
"In general, it seems to us the police would need to use caution before asking a passenger to provide a breath test since, in cases where the shotguns are secure in a car that is being driven by another person and the passenger is not presenting any danger to the public, it is not apparent that any offence is being committed.
"It is an offence to be drunk on a highway, public place or licensed premises with a loaded firearm. However, if the gun is unloaded and in its slip, no offence is being committed."
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11 Comments
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by katy, Scunthorpe
Wednesday, December 24 2008, 1:21PM
“If you are over the limit in a car it is an offence quite rightly as your judgement is impaired. This should be the same for a gun, they are both dangerous. I think it is wrong that anyone, even a child can get a temp gun licence without formal training and take pot shots at wildlife let alone when they have had a few, which is more likely to result in the animal sufffering. If you shoot clays then that¿s one thing ,live targets should be left to a trained marksman”
by Jordan, Scunthorpe
Tuesday, December 23 2008, 7:38PM
“Zeb, Riddings: If they are flagging down cars the weapons are kept in the boot and more often than not in a lock box.
No hunter will carry a loaded weapon anyway and generally they are carried from the field to the car in a bag so not to freak out passers by.
This is just another case of the Police misusing their powers to stop people having a bit of fun.”
by SJ, Scunthorpe
Tuesday, December 23 2008, 4:35PM
“Factman - Love it, I laughed out loud at the pheasant / peasant comment. That's made my afternoon :o)”
by ANDY W., scunthorpe
Tuesday, December 23 2008, 2:18PM
“More important news.......IZZY has been placed on the transfer list with immediate effect.........CLIFF BYRNE appointed club captain.......Game on.......UP THE IRON!!!!!!!!”
by rob, Very-wintery-ton here
Tuesday, December 23 2008, 12:47PM
“"Pheasant or a Peasant" I liked that one.Ha... Its almost as if the state is trying to protect us from ourselves, except you can die of stress if you fail to keep up with your Poll-Tax that seems to be ok. And what about the offence the armed Police make when they shoot first then ask questions later.”
by puzzled, scunny
Tuesday, December 23 2008, 11:53AM
“Now the fonz has me wondering if l'd prefer to be hit by a car or a bullet... lol. None, given a choice, l'd say!”
by The Fonz, In my office
Tuesday, December 23 2008, 11:41AM
“Since when has the drink drive limit been a barometer to measure against being over the limit for any other activity, surely each activity should be measured on its own merits.
B-)”
by The Truth teller, Lincolnshire
Tuesday, December 23 2008, 10:45AM
“Zeb,
I guess living in riddings you will know all about drunks running round with loaded guns”
by Factman, Epworth
Tuesday, December 23 2008, 10:09AM
“Don't be out with shotguns if you're drunk - it's not an unreasonable message. Remember Tory MP Willie Whitelaw shooting one of the beaters out on a "jolly" shoot - typical Tory - couldn't tell the difference between a pheasant and a peasant!”
by Zeb, Riddings
Tuesday, December 23 2008, 8:21AM
“quote
"It is an offence to be drunk on a highway, public place or licensed premises with a loaded firearm. However, if the gun is unloaded and in its slip, no offence is being committed."
how can you tell at a glance if a gun is loaded or not ? the mere sight of someone under the influence carrying a shotgun would unsettle most people.”