Neighbour With New Shotgun

[ottosump]

Hello group, we have a new neighbour in the area, he got his shotgun license yesterday. So we were greeted with the sound of a double barrelled gun being discharge this morning from 09:45 onwards. We live approx 100 metres from were he was firing at clay pigeons. Our cats scarped and hid, the sheep in the field opposite ran and huddled together in the far corner, a lady cyclist I seen turn around on the bridle way which is appox 20m from where he was firing. There is also a busy dual carriageway approx 150m away. We have other neighbours scattered around in a little valley at varying distances, 250-800m. My question is obvious, is this lawful? Any advice appreciated.

[shoota]

There is no law to prevent a person shooting on their own land as long as certain safety parameters are adhered to.
However you may find that 'noise nuisance' regulations are breached and your local environmental health will advise you.
There is some good info here - especially the bit about the distance from the centre of a carriageway.

[shoota]

Would help if I put the link in.......

http://www.iprow.co.uk/gpg/index.php/Shooting_and_Firearms

[Zacs-Master]

From the Govt Guidance on Firearms document:
The applicant’s knowledge of safe shooting is also very important and they should therefore, where possible, be present when the inspection takes place. This will give applicants the opportunity to confirm that they are aware of any potential hazards and know that no shot must ever be fired from a rifle unless there is a safe backstop. Some of the issues that the police will need to consider in relation to all the circumstances of the specific application are:
a) Presence of rights of way, public roads and footpaths and their frequency of use;
b) Proximity of dwellings;
c) Suitable backstops relevant to the firearm to be used (also important with a shotgun
when using section 1 ammunition);
d) General topography of the land; and
e) Presence of any quarry species on the land (see paragraphs 13.9, 13.15 and 13.16
for guidance).

I think I'd be phoning the police.

[shoota]

Regulations here:
http://www.cieh.org/library/Knowledge/Environmental_protection/ClayShootingCoP.pdf

[shoota]

That applies to getting land 'approved' for using a specific firearm or clay pigeon shoot Zacs so isn't pertinent to a casual Sunday morning blat at clays.

[Zacs-Master]

Ah, ok shoota. A little knowledge........

[boxtops]

There is nothing to stop you informing the police anonymously. Are the other naighbours similarly concerned? - there is strength in numbers.

So he only got his licence yesterday, but has already set up a clay shoot? Does that mean he's going to be inviting others on his land, to compete? As an ex clay shooter myself, that could mean a lot of traffic.

[shoota]

This answer lifted from another site summarises the regs quite nicely:

>>>Using land for Clay pigeon shooting?

You all need to have SGCs. Or Under section 11(5) of the firearms act, on an occupiers land using his/hers gun/s in his/her presents.
Stay as far away as possible from any type of right of way, law says 50ft but if you can make it 150ft all the better.
Don`t shoot over them at all.
Give yourself a minimum of 275 metres for shot fall out with size 7/8/9/shot and 300 metres with 6/5 shot.
Don't let any shot land on someone else's land.
Don`t make any permanent things, buildings etc or you will need planning permission.
Stick to this and you can shoot there 28 days a year.

[boxtops]

28 days a year isn't that many, then - a couple of times a month only.....

[Zacs-Master]

That would be 24 times.

[Zacs-Master]

Sorry, I'm being pedantic.

[boxtops]

yes Zacs, you are, I'm speaking in broad terms :-)

[The Builder]

Just wondering, Shoots......... your comment about a Sunday morning blast. Around here (Devon village) no one would think of shooting on a Sunday, simply out of respect for peace & quiet etc.

Is that part of the Law, do you know?

[shoota]

I used to be the secretary of a clay pigeon club and we were restricted to once a fortnight.
The problem with taking action under noise pollution regs is the transient nature of the 'bang' which doesn't (or didn't when we had a complaint) register on the meter the env. health people use. They can however issue orders if the noise nuisance is deemed to be anti-social or unreasonable. Our club had a three hour 'window' on a Sunday morning during which we could shoot.

[shoota]

I don't believe that there is anything to prevent a Sunday shoot, as I said above, we used to do it quite legally - but I agree, to do it in the middle of a (relatively) populated area, however large the neighbours ground is, is disrespectful.
Perhaps negotiating a Saturday afternoon (say) slot is the way forward?

[shoota]

I gather you are in W. Cumbria Otto? I don't know what their guidelines are but I would imagine they are on a similar basis to these from Surrey:

http://www.tandridge.gov.uk/environment/pollution/clay_pigeon_shooting.htm

[woofgang]

I phoned the police when I saw a legitimate person culling deer early one morning. He was on public land and was one of the officers employed to manage it. He was firing towards and over footpaths where people walk dogs and ride and I expressed concern to the police that, although the person was doing nothing illegal, in fact he was doing what he was employed to do, that his timing was unwise. police person agreed and contacted the employing organisation. The distance of your house and the distance of the bridleway sound much too close.

[cassa333]

I would tape the noise and replay it to him on a sunday morning he is having a sleep in :)

[ottosump]

Thank you for all the replies, there is some really useful info. My first action is to talk to the individual, preferably when he isn't holding the shotgun. I will voice my concerns, although I feel it may fall on deaf ears (excuse the pun) Only the day before I informed him that I was working night shift over the weekend, so his principals are probably not at the standard of mine.
Thanks again group, will keep you informed.