Fac

[Fredwalton]

I'm thinking of applying for my Fac just to do a spot of rabbit shooting so would want a 22 how do I go about applying for this as do I need a permission in order to apply for this?

[walshie]

You download an application form from your local force website. And yes you would need permission to shoot it somewhere that has been cleared (or can be cleared) for that calibre or above.

[CharlieT]

Spend 10 minutes reading through this.......It will answer most of your application queries.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/518193/Guidance_on_Firearms_Licensing_Law_April_2016_v20.pdf

[old'un]

The application form also contains notes....https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/firearms-application-forms

[lloydi73]

To gain an FAC you need just cause to own a firearm, i.e. you need to have secured permission, have it in writing before they will even consider granting an FAC. I don't know if you are applying for your first FAC, but if you are, NOW THIS IS JUST WHAT I HAD TO DO, so don't shoot me down PW's if you disagree or you didn't have to do it or whatever BACS says etc etc, but Thames Valley insisted I was mentored for 3 months as I had no experience and was my first FAC....Like I said, I don't know if this is your first application, or you've let it lag and you're reapplying, but if you haven't had any experience with RF or CF you may be required to be mentored by someone, like I said, Suffolk may have different criteria, but Thames valley were very insistent. Again PW's I know this isn't a legal requiremen and they can't insist on it etc etc, but why rock the boat in gaining a FAC for the sake of 3 months, and to be honest, I was glad of the expertise of a vet shooter who taught me very good handling, safety and awareness etc

 

And again, this is just my own opinion, I don't know the size of your permission, but, if this is your first FAC, I'd go for a 17HMR in lieu of .22, very flat trajectory, not to much worry about holdover etc like the .22, and me as a novice I absolutely love mine and rarely miss with it up to 130m (That's the kiss of death now).....Like I said, just my opinion, and what suits me, but if I can offer some advice as a novice it would be this...

 

Good luck and best regards

[srspower]

To gain an FAC you need just cause to own a firearm, i.e. you need to have secured permission, have it in writing before they will even consider granting an FAC. I don't know if you are applying for your first FAC, but if you are, NOW THIS IS JUST WHAT I HAD TO DO, so don't shoot me down PW's if you disagree or you didn't have to do it or whatever BACS says etc etc, but Thames Valley insisted I was mentored for 3 months as I had no experience and was my first FAC....Like I said, I don't know if this is your first application, or you've let it lag and you're reapplying, but if you haven't had any experience with RF or CF you may be required to be mentored by someone, like I said, Suffolk may have different criteria, but Thames valley were very insistent. Again PW's I know this isn't a legal requiremen and they can't insist on it etc etc, but why rock the boat in gaining a FAC for the sake of 3 months, and to be honest, I was glad of the expertise of a vet shooter who taught me very good handling, safety and awareness etc

 

And again, this is just my own opinion, I don't know the size of your permission, but, if this is your first FAC, I'd go for a 17HMR in lieu of .22, very flat trajectory, not to much worry about holdover etc like the .22, and me as a novice I absolutely love mine and rarely miss with it up to 130m (That's the kiss of death now).....Like I said, just my opinion, and what suits me, but if I can offer some advice as a novice it would be this...

 

Good luck and best regards

 

Mentoring is not lawful, home office guidelines specifically say it is not required. All that is required is experience with small bore in the field before you go up to big bore. I know this because I have a case open with BASC right now and the guy I am working with part wrote the home office guidelines. I am waiting for a response from my firearms department who will hopefully grant my variation for a .243. If not? Then I am taking them to court.

[Scully]

You'll have to move! Nephew just last year was granted for his first time FAC application a .22rf and .243 on AOLQ. One of his mates was granted .17HMR and another .22rf. All three of them on first time FAC applications and no mentoring. Come to Cumbria; where men are men and sheep are nervous!

 

Mentoring is not lawful, home office guidelines specifically say it is not required. All that is required is experience with small bore in the field before you go up to big bore. I know this because I have a case open with BASC right now and the guy I am working with part wrote the home office guidelines. I am waiting for a response from my firearms department who will hopefully grant my variation for a .243. If not? Then I am taking them to court.

Good for you.

[Savhmr]

Jut sort a signed permission, and read through the notes, completing the application as requested. As long as you have good reason to lawfully own one, and the land has been deemed suitable, there are no legal requirements for any mandatory mentoring which whilst may be a good voluntary thing to do (and here I have no issues with it at all) but when it becomes mandatory for a force to apply their own rules, then there is a problem. Why? because the licencing team cannot delegate responsibility for safety to someone else. It is up to them during the application process to have an FEO visit you, and assess whether you are suitable to posses and use a firearm of whatever description.

 

Ideally, they ought to meet you at your permission, walk the land, talk with you about where it is or isn't safe (ie assess your knowledge and attitude) and decide for themselves if the land and the applicant are suitable. Sadly, too few are willing to do this or are under workload pressures, instead asking for mentoring which is proof on nothing, and guarantees nothing. I understand why some don't want to rock the boat, but you don't have to if its approached in the right manner. After all, you want to get on with your licencing team. It's up to the CC to justify any extra conditions, but you can test this in court if you deem those unreasonable.

 

RE 22LR or 17HMR. I'd recommend 22LR every time. HMR still suffers from ammo issues, widely reported and experienced, plus is noisier and more expensive to keep in ammo. I'd recommend a good quality, accurate bolt action 22LR over an HMR for rabbit control. Perfectly adequate to 100 yards or more in the right hands. I've seen rabbit taken at almost 200 yds with seasoned shot behind the trigger. Cheaper to shoot without the problems of HMR and using subs, can be moderated to near silent. Just my tuppenceworth and many will recommend HMR as they may have nothing but praise for it.

[srspower]

The important thing is to be a member of BASC before you apply and if they refuse ask them to put it in writing. I was amazed when west mercia were prepared to do that because I know they have had to change their mind before when people have got BASC involved.

 

I hear a lot of people on here say 'mentoring will be mandatory before long' yet the data doesn't back that up. It is used as a way for the force to absolve themselves of responsibility if anything goes wrong. It has nothing to do with public safety.