Will the FEO take away my licences?

[camojohn]

I have a shotgun and FAC licence which is up for first renewal in January. I am getting a bit concerned over 2 issues.

 

Firstly: I have not use my rifle or purchased any ammo for it in about 2 years.

 

Secondly and most important: As of July 2014 it states that you can’t have a licence if you have a criminal record. Over 45 years ago I got in with the wrong crowd and was prosecuted in court, once for trespass with an airgun and once for being an accomplice to a stealing. This was all declared when I first got my original licence but the now the law has changed.

 

Has anyone been in or know of anyone who has been in this situation and sill had their licence renewed?

[roadkill]

not sure on the criminal record but i know that if you are not using the fac it can go against having a reason to hold one i believe

[loriusgarrulus]

There is a lot of info on BASC website. If you type in FAC on the search at the top a lot of info comes up. You might find something on there. One of the things that comes up is FAC conditions to download.

[al4x]

Convictions will be fine it would only be an issue if they were new. As for use if you still have the permissions to use them on then you should be fine if you don't mention it. Though using some ammo might be a good idea

[Scully]

I have a shotgun and FAC licence which is up for first renewal in January. I am getting a bit concerned over 2 issues.

 

Firstly: I have not use my rifle or purchased any ammo for it in about 2 years.

 

Secondly and most important: As of July 2014 it states that you can’t have a licence if you have a criminal record. Over 45 years ago I got in with the wrong crowd and was prosecuted in court, once for trespass with an airgun and once for being an accomplice to a stealing. This was all declared when I first got my original licence but the now the law has changed.

 

Has anyone been in or know of anyone who has been in this situation and sill had their licence renewed?

As regards the rifle, your FEO will possibly consider you no longer have 'good reason' to possess it if you haven't used it nor bought ammo for it for nigh on 2 years, and I think he/she may have a valid point, but speak to your shooting organisation. As for the criminal record I wouldn't be too concerned. You're hardly a hardened criminal with a record of last being active over 45 years ago! I'm not sure but I don't think retrospective revocation would be applied.If that were the case you wouldn't be the only one losing their guns, but again, to put your mind at rest if nothing else, contact your organisation.

Edited September 26, 2014 by Scully

[Luckyshot]

Renewed mine this year no problem and Ive got a criminal record, no mention of anything from my flo.

[Gordon R]

Your record is the same as when you originally applied, so that should not be an issue.

 

Lack of usage would be a legitimate concern for the FEO. If you haven't used the rifle for 2 years, are you going to use it in the next two years? If you are certain that you will, it begs the question as to why the sudden change. There may well be a perfectly good reason, but it needs to be considered and answered.

[robbiep]

Regarding criminal convictions : the only thing that has changed is that (since July this year) suspended sentences are treated the same as immediate custodial sentences for the purposes of determining 'prohibited persons'.

 

So if you were given a suspended sentence of 3 years or greater, way back in the mists of time, on the next occasion you come to renew your tickets you will become a prohibited person.

That assumes the police have complete records of suspended sentences from back in the 60s/70s, though. Considering they don't even have my minor motoring convictions from the 90s on their records (I asked for a subject access check on myself a couple of years ago), then I'd doubt just how complete their records are.

[camojohn]

I have a shotgun and FAC licence which is up for first renewal in January. I am getting a bit concerned over 2 issues.

 

Firstly: I have not use my rifle or purchased any ammo for it in about 2 years.

 

Secondly and most important: As of July 2014 it states that you can’t have a licence if you have a criminal record. Over 45 years ago I got in with the wrong crowd and was prosecuted in court, once for trespass with an airgun and once for being an accomplice to a stealing. This was all declared when I first got my original licence but the now the law has changed.

 

Has anyone been in or know of anyone who has been in this situation and sill had their licence renewed?

I would like to thank everybody for their help and suggestions. I feel a little more relaxed about it now. The only reason I have not use my rifle in 2 year is because I got hooked on pigeon shooting with the shotgun. The last purchased rifle ammo I got 500 rounds.

If I had used them over the last 2 years it would have averaged about 20 shots per month. My plan is to buy a regular supply of ammo between now and when I renew my licence at the end of January.

[sitsinhedges]

I would like to thank everybody for their help and suggestions. I feel a little more relaxed about it now. The only reason I have not use my rifle in 2 year is because I got hooked on pigeon shooting with the shotgun. The last purchased rifle ammo I got 500 rounds.

If I had used them over the last 2 years it would have averaged about 20 shots per month. My plan is to buy a regular supply of ammo between now and when I renew my licence at the end of January.

 

To be honest when I bought my HMR about 3yrs ago I got 500 rounds too. I've used not many over 100 mainly because of a huge population drop in bunnies and being pigeon shooting mad. Most of the rounds I have shot have accounted for a rabbit each though. Surely that is enough to justify keeping the gun in question.

[Guest topshot_2k]

You better off not bulk buying ammo and just buy 50/100 every few months if you don't shoot a lot. Can you not go out and have a zeroing session to use some ammo?

Edited September 26, 2014 by topshot_2k

[Guest cookoff013]

he could just show how many rounds he actually has.

 

it would suggest some usage.

 

500 bullets - x bullets left in possesion = bullets used over 2 years. if he had no bullets left that would be 20-21 bullets per month. thats not bad going.

 

i`d forget buying regular amounts it makes less sense, but at your usage it wouldnt even bother you.

[welshwarrior]

Me careful with the why aren't you buying ammo quest my last renewal I had been doing pest control for a farmer friend who insisted he bought the ammo for, so I was shooting a lot but not buying much. Farmer confirmed we where doing it FEO asked me to keep a log of what he gave me, which I had (to return in whiskey at Christmas) so was happy.

[Dunkield]

If you haven't used it for two years expect to get your ammo hold/buy limits reduced, and questions about whether you have any plans to use it soon.

[malkiserow]

is your FEO on this forum?

[parapilot]

Get yourself down the range once a month till jan and bang some lead at papar. Don't worry bout your record. Nothing has changed and they can't say you are unfit due to something in your youth 45 years ago!!

[Twistedsanity]

I don't have FAC but often wondered what records are kept for reloading ? I.e is there a way of them knowing if you had done all your own reloading instead of buying complete rounds from a dealer?

[malkiserow]

I don't have FAC but often wondered what records are kept for reloading ? I.e is there a way of them knowing if you had done all your own reloading instead of buying complete rounds from a dealer?

 

Many shops will put down the bullets on your cert if they are expanding (some will call these heads). the rest - cases, primers + powder etc are not recorded.

 

Most reloaders will have records which may help.

[phaedra1106]

I only target shoot but keep reloading records for all my calibres, good for me so I know how many rounds a barrel has had through it and useful if Plod ask about usage.

Edited September 26, 2014 by phaedra1106

[camojohn]

is your FEO on this forum?

Do they come on this forum? If they do how would I know?

[Dunkield]

Do they come on this forum? If they do how would I know?

 

Yes they do, and you probably wouldn't.

[mossy835]

when i had my fac i never bought ammo foe 4 years.when i renewed it i put the ammo up, and got it.

[apache]

If you haven't used it for two years expect to get your ammo hold/buy limits reduced, and questions about whether you have any plans to use it soon.

That constitutes a partial revocation of a certificate. There is no way I would stand for that.

 

It doesn't matter how much you use the gun, does your 'good reason' continue to exist. I know a farmer who has a rifle so he can shoot foxes around lambing time. He's not had it out of the cabinet for about 6 years. Not bought any ammo between 2 renewals. He still has sheep and still has a 'good reason'. Good reason does not necessarily have to equal usage. Obviously if your only permission was revoked then your good reason has gone.

[Dunkield]

That constitutes a partial revocation of a certificate. There is no way I would stand for that.

 

So when it comes from the Chief of Police what do you ask, ask to speak to their manager? I am guessing you will say speak to BASC....

I can't honestly see how you can sensibly justify holding 200 rounds (as an example) if you use 2 or 3 between renewals (as an example)

[apache]

10.52 Applications for renewal provide the opportunity for reviewing the circumstances of each
case and the extent to which the provisions of the Act have been complied with by the
holder of the certificate and by persons supplying them with firearms and ammunition.
If the applicant’s circumstances have changed materially since the original grant or last
renewal, for example in their opportunities to use their firearms, special care will need to be
taken to ensure that the applicant still satisfies all criteria for the possession of firearms and
ammunition. These matters can be discussed and/or reviewed by phone/email or during
a personal visit, inspection or interview. Where the chief officer of police decides to refuse
an application for a renewal of a certificate, they may wish to consider personal service
of the notice, whenever practicable. Informing the applicant of this decision will give them
an opportunity to discuss the matter and will help to reduce the number of appeals to the
Crown Court. This applies equally to notices of revocation. (See paragraph 10.71)

 

13.24 Those involved in shooting vermin will normally be authorised to possess up to 750
rounds

 

13.25 Those involved in shooting foxes will normally be authorised to possess up to 250 rounds,
but consideration should be given to each shooter’s individual circumstances

 

I have 250 rounds listed for my 22-250, I won't get through that many between renewals. I'd be surprised if I got through that many with any of my CFs. Does this mean I should have lower limits?

 

I read a lot of the guidance and so long as you have 'good reason' then you can have a decent ammo allowance. I can't see anywhere they expect you to justify your ammo allowance as a quantity that you will shoot in a defined period.