NI Pub Checks - weapons

**Gwyn Nicholas** · 13-10-2012, 11:40

At risk of repeating myself (sorry), my post that has started this unfortunate debate, related not to the initial question (which I see no problem with) but to possible replies, hence the suggetion of PM rather than open forum. At the end of the day it was merely a suggestion not a directive, not an attempt to censor and certainly not intended to start a row over what is and what is not in breach of the Act.

At the end of the day we are all adults and we each take responsibilty for our own actions and as a wise soldier once told me " no one wants advice - just confirmation of what they have already decided".

What I would ask members to consider thougth is this, when answering a post, is there a need for dramatic references to "PC" etc or is it just enough to say "I disagree because....." Healthy debate is enjoyable and encourages others to join in, the battle for superiority in the quip and snipe stakes however has (I believe) the opposite effect. (By quips I dont include well meant humour which can be very welcome in some deep or serious discussion.) Again that is not meant as a directive, merely a suggestion. Owen I hope you got your answers.

**Gwyn Nicholas** · 13-10-2012, 13:13

As a matter of interest (on my part) I looked up the Act.

The Official Secrets Act 1989 states that “a member of the security and intelligence services is guilty of an offence if without lawful authority he discloses any information, document or other article relating to security or intelligence which is or has been in his possession by virtue of his position as a member of any of those services or in the course of his work while the notification is or was in force.”

It seems to me from reading that, it is not necessarily the information content (though I'm sure the punishment will fit the crime on a sliding scale) but the fact that the individual (who has agreed and signed up to the Act), has divulged the information in the first place which in itself is the crime.

I dont think however that any Jobsworth, sneaky beaky SOB MOD Spook reading this would take any action against Al's post which afterall is old news to most of us. LOL

**ivor43** · 13-10-2012, 15:29

thank you Gwyn. I think your quote confirms what i have been saying. and far from being unfortunate i think it has been quite informative in reminding us all that the OSA can have a very long reach.

ivor

**steve carey** · 14-10-2012, 12:00

This is the first time I have read these posts, Its Sunday morning got a hangover. I thought coming on this forum was supposed to be fun. My god lads it sounds like a bitchy womens knitting curcle, I know more than you etc come on lads who knows some good jokes or funny stories. Get them heads out of them backsides and get a life.

**Gwyn Nicholas** · 14-10-2012, 12:22

Then you were wrong. This is a Forum it is about many subjects including "jokes and funny stories" they are just in different sections of the Forum.

**steve carey** · 14-10-2012, 12:37

Glad to see you follow my un funny jokes,But on a serious note I am not having a dig at any single person and I dont know what the snipe ref hungover I was just stating a fact ,Maybe I should only post when sober and if myself or my jokes that do get thanks offend you it was not meant as how you have taken it. No offence meant and none taken.

**ivor43** · 14-10-2012, 12:51

steve.
If by any chance you are possibly referring to me as '' i know more than you'' then in this case i may well do. for several Years it was part of MY JOB to know. not only how to deal with this info but who out of the 100 or so people in the dept was allowed access to it.
IT IS NOT my intention to score ''Brownie Points'' but if i have knowledge relevant to a subject that i think will be useful then i WILL post it. it will then be up to others to judge it's usefulness or otherwise.
This Forum has places for all sorts of stuff, which is great. but if something comes up which MAY have some possible unforeseen consequences then it is also a good place to deal with it. i have no doubt that with the combined knowledge of the members most problems can be solved.

ivor.

**Lofty-25** · 14-10-2012, 12:55

I was watching a documentry about Bletchey Park the other night and people who worked there, (from the surrounding villages) in WWII, still do not talk about what they done there as they signed the "OSA" and still believe it is in force today

**steve carey** · 14-10-2012, 13:05

Vori, I was not and repeat not attacking any single person,Look guys I have not meant to offend anybody, I got up this morning and thought I would have look on the forum (sorry I did now) and read the post reguarding pub checks and just thought some posts got a little bitchy and some were taking offence that they were being challenged and debate is all about this but it was sounding to me that people were getting a tad upset . Gwyn seems to have taken it to heart and attacked me (my jokes unfunny how dare he) but on that note I will go and check a few pubs out myself today and again ...No offence meant and None taken.

**Gwyn Nicholas** · 14-10-2012, 13:15

Steve I read most of the stuff on the Forum including your jokes but whether or not it has any interest for me I would not criticise those taking part (as up until now, not mentioned your jokes - live and let live) My point of the snipe is that your post has no relevance to the thread (as this one -my apologies Owen) and should have been in the sound off section designed to air your views. You were not afterall "stating a fact" you were giving an opinion.

Your jokes do not offend me Steve, I just find that the content of some (not all) is too close the knuckle for me particularly where the laugh depends on the misery of others. That said, that humour does appeal to some people and I would not wish to interfere with their enjoyment - power to your elbow.