http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1309728/Guns-rocket-launchers-missiles-seized-police-Worcester-house-raid.html

Rocket man: It's a hobby, says owner as arsenal of launchers, missiles and grenades is seized

By Andy Dolan
Last updated at 3:32 AM on 8th September 2010

His neighbours knew he enjoyed taking part in battle re-enactments.

But they had no idea Graham Lane kept enough weapons in his modest home to start a real war.

Police raided the semi-detached property on a quiet residential estate and left with an arsenal including missiles, grenades, rocket launchers, shells - and even a cannon.


Neighbours watched from their front gardens as nine police vehicles arrived, followed by the Army bomb team - who sent their remote-controlled bomb disposal robot into the house.


A neighbour who knew the weapon was stored at the house said he had built his garage especially to store the weapon.

Mr Lane, a 65-year-old electrician, was arrested on suspicion of possessing an illegal firearm and has now been bailed.

Yesterday he claimed all of his weapons were legally held and licensed apart from the shells, which he said had been deactivated and could be bought legally 'off the internet'.

The father of one said he expected police to drop their investigation once officers had an opportunity to verify his claims.
Neighbours who saw the raid in Worcester were astonished at the haul.

One woman said: 'I was shocked at the amount of guns in a semi-detached house in a quiet estate.'

Mr Lane set up the Worcester and Norton Shooting Club in 1983 and remains its chairman.  

He said the weapons found in his home had all been used by the military and were not replicas.


A 65-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of possession of an illegal firearm after munitions were removed from the semi-detached house. 15 officers and nine police vehicles were involved in the incident which saw rockets, shells and rocket launchers, being bagged up and taken away


Mr Lane, who lives with wife Marilyn, 62, added: 'I am very confident this matter is going to be dropped.

'I have got nothing to hide - I'm a historical re-enactor and all my weapons are legally held and licensed, except for those that don't need to be like the shells, as they are deactivated.

'You can buy this sort of thing anywhere - from antique dealers or from gun dealers off the internet.


The couple's daughter, Tatania, 40, also insisted Mr Lane 'holds firearms licences' for his hobby.

Police said the raid was launched as a result of 'received intelligence' but did not say who tipped them off.

Britain wins again.

More English handwringing. Murderdeathkill!

I'm glad the Brits made him get licenses for his deactivated grenade paperweights, his LAW tube, his deactivated 150lb practice bomb and whatever else he had.

So he can own the weapons just not live shells for them?


Pretty sure thats the case right?

One of our own members knows this gentleman. He is apparently the chief of a local gun club and a good guy. Police also received some "intelligence" on him a few months prior and gave him some trouble over it. Possibly a case of someone disliking him.

No, the shells are deactivated and replica artillery shells and are completely legal. As were the guns and ammunition he had locked up according to their screwy laws.

I guess then they need to arrest all of the reenactors in the UK. They are everywhere. Geez. What a beautiful country that is going to waste.

Whats his s/n???