mr_colt

He may not need any form of license at all in France for the purchase of an ordinary shotgun. Certainly as it was last year, you could still buy one over-the-counter with suitable ID. But this position may have changed so you may want to check with the police over there. The problem I can see is he would almost certainly need to have a valid permis de chasse to shoot even on his own land. I am not aware of rabbits being exempt from this, it may also apply to air-rifle use from controlling them so he needs to be very careful to avoid committing an offence. Although the procedure to get one is typically bureaucratic; it is not astronomically expensive compared to some countries as far as I am aware.

It depends on how long your friend's dad will be having possession of shotguns in France for. Normally, you can request a "European Firearms pass" from the UK police force firearms licensing dept once you have a UK cert. This is usually enough to occasionally bring shotguns into most of Western Europe. Depending on residency circumstances it may be necessary to acquire additional permits however depending on french firearms law. French firearms law is somewhat more liberal than over here if I remember rightly, however I would check with the BASC to be sure of what you need to do. They have dealt with such matters previously. Getting a UK cert might be difficult if the man is not permanently resident in the UK, it may be more practical to go through the french system and get a "Visitors firearms permit" for the UK depending on where he is going to be residing the most. Again it's probably best to check with the BASC on this one, as I could not give a definite answer without having more information on the proposed arrangement. Regards, mr_colt.

Hello All, With regards to the number of requests for info on how to get copies of police records from users over the past few years; I was wondering if we could put up a sticky concerning the subject in the General shooting matters forum? I have recently posted a reply on the subject if that would be any good: Many Thanks, mr_colt.

If it's your record you wish to gain a copy of; a CRB check is not necessary to get it. Under the Data protection Act you have the right to a copy of the information held on you with a few minor exceptions. These exceptions would normally only apply if you were currently under investigation for a crime etc, so there should not be a problem. You need the appropriate form from your police for a "subject access request." You can usually get it from your local police station, it may be worth calling them to check they have some in stock though. Otherwise you could contact the main Police headquarters for your area. You need to pay a £10 fee for the request on application either by cheque or postal order, you will also need some ID to validate that it is your record you want to access. A driving license (photocard and paper part together) plus a birth cert/passport was enough for the forces I have requested info from. You may wish to check with your force before you go down though to save a wasted trip. If you apply in person at the counter, you will not need to send photocopies of the documents off with the application. The officer manning the desk will mark the form that he has checked the originals and they match. You also save postage costs this way normally. Otherwise you can apply via the post to the provided address on the form. If applying this way I suggest you send it by recorded delivery. If doing it in person then it is best to ask for a receipt from the officer at the desk. Just in case the paperwork gets misplaced in the internal police mailing system. On the form you should ask for a copy of your PNC (national) record and copies of data from any local force databases, the fee is the same regardless so you may as well get the lot. The processing time varies but most forces usually get it done within a fortnight. It may help if you can provide rough dates/years but this is not crucial if you are requesting all data held. You will probably get a response first directly from the PNC people in London first with a copy of your national record, followed by your local police records shortly after. It may look complicated, but is a fairly easy process to go through these days. But tt also enables you to see exactly what the police hold on your files, and challenge any mistakes in the rare occasions they do happen such as records on your file of someone with the same name. I hope this information helps you with your queries, please let us know how you get on. Best Regards, mr_colt EDIT: I have located the relevant forms online for you: Subject access form More info on applying here:Application Info

Obama's Illinois voting record concerning firearms isn't too wonderful. So I was not surprised when news of the record level of ammunition purchases hit the web. I cannot predict how he will act on firearms as president; there may well be some measure of backlash from the individual states if he interferes with their autonomy too much from the federal level.

As long as it is ensured that she never has access or knows where they keys are kept. Otherwise unless she is a cert holder too; it's unauthorised access and the police will revoke tickets if they find out. See this article re the Farrer case: link

I never said I believed the story as it was told, In fact I said I was somewhat suspicious of it. I was trying to say as it generally goes, the police firearms licensing employees have been known to target the certificates of people who post non-pc views online where they can identify the holder. The guy behind the gunculture.net blog being a well-known example. He had never threatened anyone or done anything except express his viewpoints. Yet he was threatened with a non-renewal for his FAC&SGC when the paperwork went through. All just down to his views on the right to armed self-defence and criticism of a policing association. The association in question wanting large amounts of public money to purchase custom firearms with specialist grips for female firearms officers. Yet those mere viewpoints alone were enough for the police to threaten non-renewal of his certificates. He got his tickets renewed in the end after representation from shooting organizations but the point remains: His legal gun ownership was threatened by police for publishing views online that they deemed verboten. So the message is: Exercise your free-speech rights and you loose your ability to legally own firearms??? I will repeat, I'm not talking about the linked story originally posted. I am somewhat suspicious of it's authenticity of whole truth. But I wanted to point out that some of the police have and will revoke certificates, for holder's undertaking perfectly lawful activities if they consider them "non-pc."

One has to remember that "legal ownership" of shotguns and firearms in Britain is governed by several things: . Firearms (including amendment) acts 1968-1997 . Firearms "Rules" 1998 . Anti-social Behavior act 2003 . Violent Crime "Reduction" act 2008 . Possibly other acts I have forgotten to mention . The 2002 Home office firearms guidance And finally: The applicable police force's own interpretation of the above, regardless of whether their interpretation is conflicted or politically-motivated. It's really luck of the draw half the time with them regardless of the actual contents of the statutes. Although I am somewhat suspicious of whether the whole story is being told by the poster or not. Regardless of which, there are certainly some very "PC" firearms licensing employees that might take such a situation and act on it. General internet illiteracy, combined with certain views of what are "inappropriate views" in a certificate holder: Could be enough for a licensing employee to push for a revocation, regardless as to whether the concerns are real or just dressed-up for effect when the report to the Chief Constable recommends that he sign-off on a revocation.

Bates (Stafford) are ok. Their prices are not very competitive on some items but it is a reasonably well-stocked gunshop. I found things like air-rifles, cleaning accessories and to some of the firearms to be a bit high in price. However the prices are not the highest I have seen and it does cost money to run a decent well-stocked shop.

You don't need to put cartridges down on the FAC form at all, there are no silly buy/hold restrictions on Section 2 (SGC) yet. When you want to buy shotgun carts, you merely show your certificate to the retailer for verification. There is no ammo table that needs to be filled in on a SGC. The only exception to this is slugs which, are section 1 and fall under the same bracket as section 1 ammo.

Sporting and General in Shrewsbury has to be the worst I have come across. They sell utter rubbish in the airgun section to newbies for massively inflated prices. I paid about £80 over the RRP of a Cometa air-rifle when I started shooting. They have not treated the FAC-holding members of my family any better. If you want to bulk-buy ammo, even .22LR they will treat you with such utter disdain it is unbelievable. It's almost as if they don't want ammo-buying customers full-stop. I'd rather go to Minsterley to buy a shotgun or even George Bates in Stafford. At least Bates sell decent stuff and help newbies out even if their prices on guns are a little high. mr_colt.

Well the SGC application has finally gone off to West Mercia. Took me a while to figure out who I knew could countersign, as I have moved a lot in the last four years. Put the £50 in another account so my ever yo-yo'ing account balance wont hinder it clearing when they cash the cheque. My countersignatory fortunately grew up with guns on a farm so; he didn't mind in the slightest. My Doc is ok with it and can't see any reason why I shouldn't hold a SGC. So she is ready for when the police request a report. Any idea how long West Mercia are running for SGC grants atm? I have had figures ranging from 8 weeks to 5 months from various peps. Just got to put up with the annoying wait-and-see now.... mr_colt.

Sorry, photobox decided to render the album private for some reason. I think it's working now.

Here are some pics I took of my Brattonsound RL7+ last year. Hopefully fitting it at my new place in Shrewsbury when I hear from West Mercia about my SGC application. Cabinet Paul Hart gave me a great deal on it, huge reduction considering the only thing rendering it "b-grade" were a couple of minor scratches on the powder coating and a small dink. It claims to take 7 guns (probably unscoped Ruger 10/22's etc.) In reality, the capacity will be less. Especially if you get some SBS shotguns in there. Still it has the provision to take scoped rifles if I go down that route in the future so I'm happy with it. The thing is so secure that I'd store gold coins quite happily in the top-compartment if I had any. mr_colt.

Dovey Valley is quite good in my experience. But it may be a bit out of your distance range. mr_volt

Thanks for the responses, I've looked at it, I have some other matters going on at the moment that are taking up a lot of my time, so I will probably look at it in the Autumn. It also means I will have been resident at the same address and consequently with the GP for over 6 months on application. Quite likely a year by the time it gets reviewed . I should also categorically state: I have never been "clinically" depressed, nor had any mental health problem apart from that brief mild period when I was 16 during family problems. I am not on any medication that could be considered "anti-depressant" or anything like that. Just opioids for pain-relief and some sleeping tablets for insomnia. I'm sure many elderly shooters with similar health problems hold SGC's and shoot quite safely. I don't get much "effect" form the pain-killers or sleeping tablets, let alone concerning side effects. My uncle does hold a SGC and FAC; athlough I don't think he owns any actual shotguns anymore. I think he just uses the ticket for smooth-bore muzzleloaders. Gunhire and a round of clays is dwarfed by the instructors fee round here. I could shoot 50 birds with carts and gunhire for a little over £25 at Minsterley (private practice.) Presuming I am already safety-competent with a shotgun from having several lesson blocks up in Wales; would it be legal and permissible for me to shoot with a hired gun under a SGC holder's supervision? Many Thanks, mr_colt.

Hello all, First, please let me apologise for the awful post title , it does however sum up my question of late: I am debating over as to whether to apply for a Shotgun Certificate or not. Some of you on here may remember the problems I had last time with Staffordshire Police. I now live in West Mercia area, and heard that the initial-application wait can be over six months . My primary interest is in sporting clay shooting, something I am only able to do occasionally at the moment due to some specific problems with suitable gun availability and cost. My shoulders and neck mean that I have to use a 12b semi-auto due to the recoil, as I don't really want to be stuck with a 20b. The cost of shooting with instruction (for a non-cert holder) round here works out about £60 a lesson! Therefore I wait until I can go to grounds in wales to have a block of lessons at a much cheaper price. Hence why if I want to do clay shooting more than once every few months; I really need my own SGC. I didn't have a supportive GP the last time round (positively an anti.) He wouldn't elaborate on my physical health problems not causing any symptoms that would make me unsafe to handle a shotgun (despite the fact I hold an unrestricted prov-licence from the DVLA) and the same with the medications I was on. This led to the FEO's using an internet print-off from an illegal online-pharmacy as medical guidance as I am on opioids for pain relief (They also were looking at the wrong opioid.) They then decided that the listed side-effect of drowsiness, meant that taking opioids was the same in effect as alcohol (complete rubbish) and that in the absence of medical comment from my GP that it was somehow my responsibility to prove otherwise. I had also had a minor bout of depression (due to family probs which were resolved) a number of years ago, despite not having any such problems since and written opinion from a consultant psychiatrist that it was highly unlikely that I would have a re-occourance of such problems in the future. Yet because the GP would not provide any comment on such matters; they declined my application anyway. I was advised by the FEO's and the BASC that the best thing to do; would be to apply again in 9-12 months or so with a more supportive GP. I now have such a GP, whom I am sure will quite happily state that I am certainly not (or have been) depressed or anything like that. Also that my health/disabilities should not normally render me unsafe to shoot unless I was feeling unwell (in which case I would not be out shooting anyway.) . So do you think I should apply now or not, especially given the delay could take another 6+ months? I just don't want to be turned down a second time, I don't think waiting any longer will essentially increase my chances on top of the existing wait, and my GP has already provided some very supportive reports for other things on request and seems to know me quite well in a professional capacity. Unfortunately; I would need to know her for another year and a half in order to be able to have her countersign it herself (They actually do offer it as a service at my docs .) That also may cause a problem if she were asked to provide an impartial report to the Police anyway, so I am using someone else to potentially act as countersignatory. Obviously BASC guidance will be sought if I do go ahead, so what do you all think? Should I apply or not? Many Thanks, mr_colt.

SOLD thanks for the interest. mr_colt.

be sure to print TWO copies of firearms form 125 (references.) In fact you might even want to leave a spare form with each referee in case they make a mistake. The police are not big fans of corrections on forms; though if it has to be done it should always be initialed. I would also advise you to make sure you have a couple of spare photos in case a referee accidentally spoils one. I suppose if you live virtually next door it's not a problem but it saves wasting time if you have to travel 20 miles back just to get another photo printed etc. mr_colt.

SUPER LEADED PETROL!!! (Do they mean 5-star?)

One of the main problems these days; the average person has no idea of even the basic workings of the legal system or what rights they have to challenge such ludicrous actions. As such councils can run ribbons round them with their highly paid team of attack-lawyers. It should be mandatory that information on how such penalties can be challenged is clearly printed on the notices with the CLS direct number so they can challenge this idiotic fine. Of course 11 years of Labour has seen enormous cuts in legal aid and advice agency funding; did you know you have to claim legal aid now even for more than one visit to the CAB?!! Brilliant money making scheme they have here; make it as hard as possible to get legal advice so when silly laws are used no one dares to challenge them. I had a parking ticket issued for not displaying a ticket in a council car park; there was no need to as it was free to blue-badge holders. In a fit of post-journey nausea, I didn't put it up properly on the dash as I was trying to get out of thr car and into the fresh air asap. It took 4 letters, dozens of phone calls and 3 emails over 4 months to get them to drop the ticket as they kept pretending they had lost my appeal notice... :-( mr_colt

New Photos hot off the press: http://www.photobox.co.uk/album/8081322 Price now reduced to £235ono after careful review. mr_colt.

For Sale: Weihrauch 95S (moderated successor to the infamous 95k.) in .177: . Rifle is in spotless condition; woodwork and bluing are in perfect condition. Less than 200 rounds fired. Chronographed at 11.6ftlb power output. Rekord gold-plated adjustable 2-stage trigger is factory fitted. . Mounted Hawke Sport HD MAP (Multiple AIM point) 3-9x40 scope with scope-caps . Hawke Match 2-piece allen-key type dovetail medium mounts. . BSA 42" Casemat: has two long-length magazine pockets, one smaller magazine pocket and main outer compartment pocket. The outer compartment pocket has a concealed inner pocket apparently for the storage of SGC/FAC's or RCA documentation etc. The casemat is well padded for rifle protection and opens up into a comfortable shooting mat. The storage provision is slightly better than the Logun version. As well as being 3" approx larger in length. The rectangular shape means a laymen wouldn't automatically see it as a gun slip/case which is rather useful for when carrying in public. . 3 Tins of Air Arms Diabolo Field roundheads in .177 (0.547g) . 1 Tin BSA elite roundheads in .177 (0.51g/7.87grain) . 1 Tin Crosman Match-pell flatheads in .177 (0.51g/7.9grain) . Browning Trigger lock with key . Bisley Silicone shooters cleaning cloth; removes dirt, grease and finger marks in a flash! . Basic spring loaded "clip-on" bipod . 50 assorted "bullseye" type paper targets; about 40% in colour with 5 circles and the rest B&W with 10 circles. Kasu wholesale brand and "Bisley pellets" sponsored brand. The rifle was purchased from Uttings around May 2007; it has absolutely beautiful woodwork. A nice dark American hardwood with Weihrauch's usual fantastic well defined checkering. It has had less than 200 rounds fired and is in near factory-new condition. It's groupings are very good; especially with Air Arms field pellets. The Multiple-aim-point scope is crystal clear and takes the guesswork out of elevation and windage adjustments when rough distance to target is known. This can be considered an almost complete package; suitable for both vermin use or even HFT in the recoiling class. Both experienced shots will get the best performance out of this springer; it's about as as powerful as you are going to get without going over the legal limit for non FAC. The moderator would make it a good choice for vermin-work; there is no nasty "twang" in the action you get with cheap and inferior spring air-rifles. The action is smooth and all metal parts have been well-machined. Even the wood underneath the sear has been treated to protect from exposure to the elements. It's a Weihrauch; need I say more? �235ono in cash, buyer to collect from Shrewsbury. mr_colt P.S. Item is listed on another forum so offers made are subject to acceptance.

Agree with you fully there. Based on prior posts on here about cabinets: I got myself a 6/7gun extra deep. I don't regret it one bit since in reality it probably will take two rifles and two shotguns realistically. Mine currently stores my air-rifle as below and one of those "nasty replica samurai swords" the Government seems so desperate on banning for no apparent reason. I think the best thing you can do when getting a cabinet is to always go for a higher capacity in order to future-proof. When I pursue my SGC later this year (cash permitting ) I will probably make 1 or possibly two additions to the cabinet at a stretch. I can always be relaxed in the thought however that there is space for a .22 rimfire a few years or so down the line. mr_colt.

Obviously keeping it out of view of the windows is important but; you do not have to go to the lengths of hiding it in the wardrobe etc if it would be too difficult to do so. Hiding the cabinet inside something is normally expected if you put it in a room where Joe Public might visit; but put inconspicuously in the corner of a bedroom would probably pass if it met the other criteria. Mine is tucked in the corner of my Bedroom between the wardrobe and the wall corner. You cannot see it through the window, boxes are stacked on-top and in front of it. My dressing gown hangs on a hook by it causing the cabinet to be obscured even further. You would have to go into the room and walk across it before you would even notice it was there. I'm not currently pursuing my SGC at the moment so it isn't bolted in but; the FEO's have been happy with not as much effort to completely hide in my experience. Obviously if you wanted it in a hallway, lounge or kitchen then they would expect it to be hidden completely out of sight. Such as in a larder cupboard etc. The general security of your home and home type has a lot of influence here; as well as the crime rate of the local area. mr_colt.