McMiata Man

Anyone know where we stand with the law, regarding these flares you sometimes get with imported cars?

A friend of mine just had his confiscated by the cops saying it was a fire-arm, but surely it's no worse than a firework, and they're not illegal (although should be in my opinion).

Dave.

Goochie

You can have one on a boat legally though.

P.S. How did they know he had it ??

[Edited by Goochie - 12/16/2003 2:05:08 PM]

TopBanana

LOL, they just wanted to play with 'em!

McMiata Man

They decided his air-freshener smelled like dope, so had the right to search the car. He wasn't speeding or driving in the wrong, just cops with bad attitude.

It's different from a boat flare. You just light the end and it "flares", and you would lie it on the ground like you would a triangle thing.

*Sonic*

I just come back from America, and the Police use these flares along the road (instead of cones) when there has been an accident

ozzy

They're just signal flares. I didn't think these would be covered/legislated by the Firearms Act.

Does this help?

I've only seen these (and various other rocket-types) used in the military over here. Other than marine suppliers (and you need a permit to buy from them), I don't know anywhere you could legally buy them.

Just because they come with an import or get used in the US means nothing over here. That's why we have oour own laws

I would phone the local police station and ask if they are legal to buy and carry in a vehicle.

Stefan

McMiata Man

Ok, so lets say they are illegal to have in a car, does that make them illegal to have, period?

Did the cop have the right to confiscate, without receipt, and generally give my friend a hard time?

Again, you could have a big box of fireworks, with loose matches lying on top of them, but you still wouldn't be breaking any laws.

Stupid country, lol.

ozzy

I guess (like most laws) they are open to interpretation. The cop could have felt there wasn't a valid reason for having it in the car

Unfortunately, you can't really stand and argue with them since they don't really need to give you a decent explanation. They would just say you were uncooperative and start looking more closely at you and your car.

If it was me and I felt it was important to have in the car for emergencies, I'd check the cost and legality of buying a new one. If it was gonna cost a bit, I'd complain.

If they're £5 a pop, I wouldn't bother with the agro.

Out of interest, was it local plod or traffic that confiscated it?

Stefan