Going Equipped

bewildered

So on my way today to pick up my first AEG, whose delivery of course I happened to be in the shower for, leaving me to collect from Sandyford.

My brother quizzed me as I left, asking what I would say if stopped by a guarda.

Of course I said that Airsoft equipment was perfectly legal, and that It had its red safety tip on, showing it was both airsoft and unarmed.

He mentioned a law however, that has me a bit confused. I wonder if any of our Gardai friends could rest my fears. The guards can apparenly arrest you for "going prepared", ie being in a situation where you are readying for a crime. What with Airsoft being so realistic looking, it would be easy for me to rob a bank or post office with one, so it would count as me being kitted up for robbery.

What is our defence against this, if it is in fact real?

o1s1n

Same defense someone carrying martial arts equipment or a real steel rifle in a case uses. They're on their way to an event or place where this equipment has a use.

kdouglas

keep it in a box or bag, unloaded with no batteries while it's being transported and your fine

Arcto

I seriously doubt any guard anywhere would even boter trying to inforce that law. Its common sense, unless of course you had a load of money sacks, a map to mexico and an intent look on your face. Another one of those stupid laws. Its probably there for the guards to stop people they see walking with a baseball bat while in a huff to their neighbours house while screaming "You god damn (unt im gonna kill you".

I carry a 5 inch lock knife in my combat trouser leg to and from work (cause it will rust in my tool box) along with a few other bits and pieces and i have no worry about it. Even if i stop at a shop on the way home i completly forget i have those tools in my pockets and i doubt a cop would try press charges for a wor knife and a snips if he/she somehow noticed them.

Fallschirmjager

kd said it best. a bit of common sense avoids all these issues..cover it, dont display it and the issue never arises...

have your aeg packed away and obviously dont go into to do a bank withdrawal with it on your shoulder!!!

common sense...although it does appear to be lacking in a lot of people currently

edit: sorry that sounded like it was directed at you dude, it wasnt, i just meant in general...my bad...

bewildered

Ah no, it's all right. Just the case that I was carrying it between my legs on a moped, not perhaps the safest way of transport, but anyway... Im just thinking that in the case of getting some stubborn guard looking for a fight (not saying that all guards would be like that, just the off chance) there doesn't seem to be much legal defence. Saying that it's in a case with the tip on means very little to an angry (afraid perhaps) guard. Those sort of things can be dropped in a second before you enter a building. Anyway, thats a theoretical situation. I plan on transporting it in a guitar case, and I'm a musician anyway, so I can just flash the student card with my course on it and wham, off you go mate. Works every time!

Spitfire666

and also the fact that its not a real law helps too.

Rew

Spitfire666 wrote:

and also the fact that its not a real law helps too.

Which one?

Hivemind187

"Going prepared" is nothing more than a dressed up excuse for probable cause. In other words, if you are found to have suspicious kit and the guard cant nab you for anything because your excuse is rational but still wants to mess up your day he can drag you in for suspicion of preparing to commit a crime.

I was warned about something similar years ago when going to oriental weapons class.

Basically if it happens you keep your mouth shut, follow instructions and wait until they let you go or charge you.

Spitfire666

there is no "going prepared" law. there are loads that can see you arrested but if your transporting gear home or to a site then it'll sort itself out and you have nothing to worry about unless acting the pleb.