Thread: RV storage as your only storage?

So off the back of other "secure storage" threads. We all know that as a condition of your FAL you must have secure storage at your permanent address.

Under the Arms Regulations 1992, section 19(2)

"The reasonable steps required by subclause (1)(c) are—(a)keeping on the holder’s premises—
(i)a lockable cabinet, container, or receptacle of stout construction in which firearms may be stored; or

(ii)a lockable steel and concrete strongroom in which firearms may be stored; or

(iii)a lockable display cabinet or rack in which firearms are immobilised so that none of them may be fired; and

(b) securely fixing to the premises all locked cabinets, containers, racks, and receptacles in which firearms are stored; and

(c) keeping locked in, or immobilised and locked in, the cabinet, container, receptacle, strongroom, display cabinet, or rack required by paragraph (a) every firearm that is on the holder’s premises and that is not under the immediate and personal supervision of the holder or some other holder of a firearms licence; and

(d) complying with guidance notices issued by the Commissioner under section 87(1)(b) of the Act (if any) that relate to the secure storage of firearms by licence holders."

and under 19A

"19A Conditions relating to storage of firearms and ammunition in mobile homes

(1) A firearms licence holder may only store their firearms and ammunition in a mobile home, campervan, or caravan unit while that vehicle or unit is being used as the person’s temporary or permanent home.

(2) The conditions set out in regulation 19(2) and (3) apply with the necessary modifications to firearms and ammunition stored in mobile homes, campervans, and caravan units."

So my "question" is this, if you permanently live in a mobile home or caravan and do not have a "permanent address" by virtue of living in a "mobile home" then either it would seem it's not possible to comply with the requirements of your FAL as your FAL requires your permanent address.

(and to notify the FSA when your address changes (of which part includes an inspection of your secure storage at your new address) If you're mobile, you don't have one but you still comply with the secure storage requirements by virtue of the inspected and approved secure storage in your mobile home/caravan.)

OR there's a wee hole in the legislation that does not allow for those who choose to live on the road?

I'm not looking for a definitive answer per se, more I'm interested in your observations, interpretation etc of the above.

apologies for the formatting, website must be hallucinating!

There's already a whole thread on this from memory

Just text your local firearms officer everynight when you park up.

Originally Posted by 308

There's already a whole thread on this from memory

Hmmm, got a link? I've seen posts ABOUT storage in caravans/mobile homes but not covering this particular aspect

Originally Posted by Zedrex

So my "question" is this, if you permanently live in a mobile home or caravan and do not have a "permanent address" by virtue of living in a "mobile home" then either it would seem it's not possible to comply with the requirements of your FAL as your FAL requires your permanent address.

(and to notify the FSA when your address changes (of which part includes an inspection of your secure storage at your new address) If you're mobile, you don't have one but you still comply with the secure storage requirements by virtue of the inspected and approved secure storage in your mobile home/caravan.)

OR there's a wee hole in the legislation that does not allow for those who choose to live on the road?

I'm not looking for a definitive answer per se, more I'm interested in your observations, interpretation etc of the above.[/LEFT]
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If you live fulltime in your RV/Motorhome/Caravan and move around, then you only need a 'permanent' contact address, (I've found that a family member who knows how to get hold of you is sufficient). This address goes on your license.

If you park up in your RV/Motorhome for an extended period of time ie 6+ months, you should inform the local F/A Officer of your new address (this then becomes listed beside your former permanent address on your file).
The trouble is that not many police or even F/A Officers know the rules regarding living fulltime in an RV/Motorhome, so when you inform them you have a new address (the one you have decided to park up on for 6 months) then they want to do another firearms security check of your motorhome.

"19A Conditions relating to storage of firearms and ammunition in mobile homes

(1) A firearms licence holder may only store their firearms and ammunition in a mobile home, campervan, or caravan unit while that vehicle or unit is being used as the person’s temporary or permanent home.

It couldn't be any clearer...... you can "if" its your "temporary or permanent home"..... it's there in black and white for my money.

Originally Posted by Roamr

Just text your local firearms officer everynight when you park up.

That's not answering the "question" I asked......

I know you can use and store your guns in a mobile home whilst it's your permanent or temporary address. I was pointing out that the Arms regs seem to skip over the FAL requirement for secure storage at your permanent address....which address is on your FAL and if you're mobile, you don't have one.....

ah ha, I see, so having a duly inspected secure storage in the RV precludes the storage requirement at your address for your FAL? Good to know.

Originally Posted by Zedrex

ah ha, I see, so having a duly inspected secure storage in the RV precludes the storage requirement at your address for your FAL? Good to know.

Yeah, no security storage required at your 'permanent' contact address, just in your RV.
That permanent contact address will stay on your file for when you go travelling again.
You do not have to inform the F/A Officer when you go travelling and leave your new address (the one you stayed at for 6 months). However, when you 'settle down' for another say 6 months, then inform the Police of your new address (and probably another firearms security check).

Originally Posted by Zedrex

ah ha, I see, so having a duly inspected secure storage in the RV precludes the storage requirement at your address for your FAL? Good to know.

Yes..... that's how I interpret ....19(2) and (3) apply with the necessary modifications to firearms and ammunition stored in mobile homes, campervans, and caravan units."

So happy road trip

Originally Posted by NIMROD

Yes..... that's how I interpret ....19(2) and (3) apply with the necessary modifications to firearms and ammunition stored in mobile homes, campervans, and caravan units."

So happy road trip

Yeah it was the "with the necessary modifications" part that got me as there is no documented interpretation of what that actually means

Originally Posted by Hermitage

Yeah, no security storage required at your 'permanent' contact address, just in your RV.
That permanent contact address will stay on your file for when you go travelling again.
You do not have to inform the F/A Officer when you go travelling and leave your new address (the one you stayed at for 6 months). However, when you 'settle down' for another say 6 months, then inform the Police of your new address (and probably another firearms security check).

Seems reasonable, do I take it you're speaking from your own personal experience?

Originally Posted by Zedrex

Seems reasonable, do I take it you're speaking from your own personal experience?

Yeah, I lived in a motorhome and travelled around NZ for 4 years.
Parked up for two 6-month stints over that time, so informed the local Firearms Officer both times. Soon after, I got a call from one of the FSA Officers wanting to check my security at my new address.
I told them that I'm still in the same motorhome that was initially passed for the F/A security check, so why are they wanting to visit/check again (just a new address, not a new security install at the new address).
However, both FSA Officers had no idea of a motorhome/RV living situation and seemed to think 'new address, new firearm security check'... so I let them visit just to get it over with (both were friendly old guys that were good for a chat about firearms anyway...).