Zenduri Posted October 23, 2014 Report Share Posted October 23, 2014 A few a few questions folks which i hope you can help with as im planning to hopefully apply for a FAC in rhe new year. Im currently a member of a small range and part of the airgun club that shoots out of it, there are 2 more clubs that shoot firearms at the range (its covered to shoot everything except .50) and they are very closed door to new members due to limited facilities so really the only way to join ia dead mans boots or via introduction. The chairman of the airgun club is chairman of the range itself and holds a position in the other 2 firearms clubs and has offered an introduction if wanted to them. My questions are that to have due cause for a FAC i would need to be a member of the Firearms club at the range but obviously i have no gear so can I legally shoot using loaned gear on the club ground from another member? Silly question i know but i would rather ask here than a silly question at the range. Also i dont live in the best of areas and aside from me installing a safe and updating the house alarm which is needed what are my chances on a fac from a security point of view. Note i've never had any issues or problems at the property and the direct surrounding area is ok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted October 23, 2014 Report Share Posted October 23, 2014 The club will no doubt have 'club guns' for potential members to use, and after serving whatever probationary period is in place (it was 6 months at my club back in the '80's.) you will have the option to apply for whatever firearms you have 'good reason' for. Likewise, if your security is beyond reproach and you satisfy all other criteria then there is no reason why you shouldn't be successful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted October 23, 2014 Report Share Posted October 23, 2014 I'm assuming your reasons is for range use only as you don't mention any land to shoot on for vermin control. Security wise thats your decision really although not mandatory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michaeli Posted October 23, 2014 Report Share Posted October 23, 2014 Hi there, Is this club in a tunnel off Carlton road by any chance, if so good luck. I attended one of there once a month open evenings with a very frosty response. If you want to be a hard-core target shooter with the funny jackets then you might get in, if not then you wont. There is a better club near the QMC that I'm in with a nice friendly environment etc. only down side is its only a 25 meter range for small and pistol calibres. FAC wise, you will need to complete your probation period at the club to become a Full member and once you are a full member you can then apply for your ticket. You can apply before this happens if you have land to shoot over. Security wise and area then I would not worry too much. If it was that bad, I would expect you would not live there. That said any extra security will give you and your FEO extra piece of mind. First thing is to get your self into a full firearms club and use there guns etc and go from there. Michael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michaeli Posted October 23, 2014 Report Share Posted October 23, 2014 Also the other thing that helps and you can do straight away is get a shot gun cert. Assuming you don't already have one. They are a lot easier to get hold of. You can then learn gun safety etc and bash some clays. Once your 6 months have come up and you apply for your FAC they will see to have SGC so should be slightly easier. I had my SGC for about 9 months before applying for my FAC and flew though it (but I do have land permission and a full member of a gun club etc) Michael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zenduri Posted October 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2014 Cheers for the replies guys. I don't hokd any cert at the moment and initially i would look to apply for .22lr. It would be put down for range use although can i put vermin control on an application as well if i currently dont hold any permissions? @Michaeli yes it is that range and whilst the initial few times are a bit frosty everyone ive met from the airgun side ( alot of which also shoot firearms there) are more than welcoming once you get to know them and regularly lend me gear or let me shoot their latest acquired piece of kit. One is even helping me restore one of my old air rifles. The range near the QMC was the first one i contacted but i could never get them on the phone to talk to them and they ignored the 3 emails i sent enquiring about their open days and asking for general info. They didnt even have the time to respond! The problem with my current range is its very low facility and budget so im not sure if they have range rifles for small bore shooting for new members Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbiep Posted October 23, 2014 Report Share Posted October 23, 2014 You won't be able to put down vermin use on your application unless you have land, or permission for suitable land. Even if you did, you'd almost certainly be granted what is called a 'closed' certificate, which means that you would be allowed only to shoot vermin on land that has been cleared by the police. Usually, a 'closed' certificate is made 'open' on first renewal, or possibly earlier if you ask, or if you are continually bugging the police with land check requests. You can get pretty good quality Anschutz model 54 or 64 target rifles, which are excellent for target use, for pretty low prices. Unless they've been badly abused, most of them will still shoot far better than you will be capable of. One point to note is that for any FAC, you need to have 'good reason' to possess. If your range membership lapses, you have nowhere to shoot, so you do not, in law, have 'good reason' any longer. In addition, I believe clubs keep police forces advised of members who do lapse (they are required to) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zenduri Posted October 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2014 Cheers for the advice robbie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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