Crime suspect attempts to fraudulently buy firearms TWICE - West Mercia Police warns gun licence holders
Gun licence holders in the Midlands are being urged to be their guard against online fraudsters attempting to buy firearms.
The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) said West Mercia Police which covers Shropshire, and the Bewdley and Kidderminster areas received two reports from firearms certificate holders who were recently approached online by an individual attempting to unlawfully acquire firearms.
The suspect used a photograph of a genuine firearms certificate issued by Hampshire Constabulary. The certificate is not believed to be lost or stolen and the method by which the image was obtained remains unknown.
In each case, the individual offered to pay by cheque and requested that the firearm be shipped to them directly after receiving the certificate image.
However, the BASC said this offer was both a breach of proper procedure and a serious risk to the seller.
It said it wanted to remind members in the community of the legal requirements when selling a firearm using the remote method.
Photocopies or electronic images of the documents are not acceptable.The buyer must send their original firearms certificate by post to the seller. The firearm must be shipped to a Registered Firearms Deale where the buyer can collect it in person. Under the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997 it must not be sent directly to the buyer’s address.
The BASC's firearms director Bill Harriman said: “This is a stark reminder that certificate holders must stay alert to potential fraud. Even when a certificate appears genuine, the correct legal process must be followed in every sale.
"These rules are in place to ensure firearms remain in safe and lawful hands, and we strongly urge members to contact our team if they are ever unsure.”
