Shotgun Certificate reminders ?

[Deereone]

I'm not talking about people who are a danger to others mind; my concern is the far more likely event of someone becoming depressed and offing themselves because they have ready access to the means to do it.

Everyone has access to the means to do it.

 

[grainboy]

Would you prefer to work the bolt with your right hand or your left?

I can’t see how you could rapidly put another shell in the chamber with your right hand,
When the right hand is taking the weight of the rifle,

 

[neilo]

No right minded doctor would ever go on record as opining that "Mr xxx is fit to hold a SGC, and poses no risk to others or himself, as his bipolar disorder is satisfactorilly controlled by medication" would they?
The problem is that the system promotes extreme risk management and arse covering, from the medical pros to the Police. It is probably thought better to revoke 1000 certificates unnecessarily, than have one unsuitable cert holder?
FAC holders are already held to higher scrutiny than almost any other individual in the country. Holders names are screened every week on Police databases.
Do we think the public are safer now than they were when I was 15, and was granted a postcard style SGC with no photo ID, and my gun lived in the wardrobe sleeved in a seahose sock?

I’ve just sent my FAC application in. The doctor’s form now clearly states that it is not requesting whether the applicant is a suitable person to hold a firearm, just that they do not have any on a list of mental health issues, and to instruct them to put a flag on their medical notes.
Presumably, should someone later be diagnosed with such issues, they inform plod, who then make the decision on whether you get to keep your guns.

I’m not sure it can be done fairly with a tick box system like that.

 

[Phil P]

Everyone has access to the means to do it.

I know two farmers who’ve taken their own lives and both owned shotguns, neither used them though. Plenty of ways without owning a gun.

 

[Steevo]

I’ve just sent my FAC application in. The doctor’s form now clearly states that it is not requesting whether the applicant is a suitable person to hold a firearm, just that they do not have any on a list of mental health issues, and to instruct them to put a flag on their medical notes.
Presumably, should someone later be diagnosed with such issues, they inform plod, who then make the decision on whether you decide you don't get to keep your guns.

I’m not sure it can be done fairly with a tick box system like that.

I think this is probably a more accurate outcome.

 

[sahara]

Added to that, I think the power goes to the professional’s head. More and more we see people (more often than not in the public sector) who use their job as a method to push their own agendas and make the rest of the population conform to their view of the way the world should be.

I'd certainly agree with that, I've met more than a few that work in the public sector who do just that, and when challenged, reply that they do, because they can.

 

[Phil P]

Finally got my form back from the doctors on Monday after exactly 3 weeks of waiting! Can’t complain too much though as only charged me £25.
Completed my FAC application online last night and too my surprise I got a call from a very pleasant police firearms officer today to say someone is going to come out and see me tomorrow as some of our land hasn’t been passed for firearms use.
Not sure if I should be worried though about how fast they wanted to come out . I honestly wasn’t expecting even a reply before the new year.

 

[Deereone]

My licence doesn't expire til Feb. but I have already been given an 8 week extension as they cannot process it sooner.

 

[Phil P]

Can’t knock the Firearm team in my area, application submitted on the 19/12/23, farm visit on the 21/12/23 and land passed, FEO came out yesterday 11/01/24. All done in under 4 weeks, can’t argue with that.

 

[neilo]

Can’t knock the Firearm team I’m my area, application submitted on the 19/12/23, farm visit on the 21/12/23 and land passed, FEO came out yesterday 11/01/24. All done in under 4 weeks, can’t argue with that.

I sent in my FAC application shortly before that and haven’t heard anything yet. I was told to expect it to take 4-6 months.

 

[Pieces_of_Eight]

Can’t knock the Firearm team I’m my area, application submitted on the 19/12/23, farm visit on the 21/12/23 and land passed, FEO came out yesterday 11/01/24. All done in under 4 weeks, can’t argue with that.

Is that Lancs police? My dad has his SGC renewal this year and was wondering what their wait is like.

 

[Phil P]

Is that Lancs police? My dad has his SGC renewal this year and was wondering what their wait is like.

Merseyside, I’m probably fortunate that the FEO only lives about 4 miles up the road though.

 

[Steevo]

Merseyside, I’m probably fortunate that the FEO only lives about 4 miles up the road though.

Down here I'd consider that to be unfortunate!

It very much sounds like a much more helpful attitude taken by the firearms team in your area. Down here they seem to be taking more of a Devon & Cornwall style attitude.

 

[Deereone]

The Dorset police ask specifically that you don't contact them to chase up your certificate as this takes time out of their already busy schedule.

I have just contacted them as with just one week to go before my 'extension' comes to an end I need to either get another extension or my ticket. They have acknowledged my email and will try to respond within 3 days. With Easter coming up up it will be down to the wire!

 

[thesilentone]

The Dorset police ask specifically that you don't contact them to chase up your certificate as this takes time out of their already busy schedule.

I have just contacted them as with just one week to go before my 'extension' comes to an end I need to either get another extension or my ticket. They have acknowledged my email and will try to respond within 3 days. With Easter coming up up it will be down to the wire!

The inconsistencies across the UK are wide and shocking. In some areas, it is taking up to one year for a renewal, in others one month. take all this into consideration when voting for a new PCC !

 

[Deereone]

Update:

I have just had my on phone interview and new certs. are on the way.

 

[neilo]

Update:

I have just had my on phone interview and new certs. are on the way.

Maybe I should chase up my FAC application (submitted at the beginning of December) again?
I chased it up a month ago and they were going to give the local firearms officer a nudge. I guess he must have dosed off again after the nudge.

 

[Phil P]

Maybe I should chase up my FAC application (submitted at the beginning of December) again?
I chased it up a month ago and they were going to give the local firearms officer a nudge. I guess he must have dosed off again after the nudge.

It is quite shocking the time difference in fac applications depending on location!
I know you applied before me and I’ve had mine since January, almost worked my way through my first lot of amo in the hmr and put nearly a thousand shots through the .22. I’m already considering a variation to get a .243 I’m actually tempted to do it just to see how long it takes but my cabinets almost full.

 

[scottrac]

It is quite shocking the time difference in fac applications depending on location!
I know you applied before me and I’ve had mine since January, almost worked my way through my first lot of amo in the hmr and put nearly a thousand shots through the .22. I’m already considering a variation to get a .243 I’m actually tempted to do it just to see how long it takes but my cabinets almost full.

my variation for .223 was about a month all in,really quick,maybe easier/less work for them?

 

[neilo]

It is quite shocking the time difference in fac applications depending on location!
I know you applied before me and I’ve had mine since January, almost worked my way through my first lot of amo in the hmr and put nearly a thousand shots through the .22. I’m already considering a variation to get a .243 I’m actually tempted to do it just to see how long it takes but my cabinets almost full.

I've just sent an email asking about progress and saw it is exactly a month since the reply to my last request, where I was told it had been sent to the local enquiry officer and they'd give him a nudge...