ryanrawcliffe Posted September 12, 2010 Report Share Posted September 12, 2010 hi i am new to the forum and thinking about getting into shooting, i would like a FAC and a shotgun certificate, first of all will i have any trouble obtaining them ? ( i have no criminal records or nothing of that nature ). secondly i have heard people talking about slots on your liscence, whats this all about ? .. and should i apply for them now ( i am 18 and in college studying architecture ) or when i graduate and find a job ?. i have a good place to put the gun cabinet, but how hard is it to bolt it to a concrete ? thanks, ryam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted September 12, 2010 Report Share Posted September 12, 2010 Crumbs...lots of questions and a search back on the site should provide all your answers, but obtaining a FAC is NOT easy, and is likely to get harder as time goes on. A SGC is easier to obtain. Apply whenever you like. Your primary problem is likely to be showing good reason why you want a FAC. Plenty of fixings for cabinets for all sorts of surfaces! Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanrawcliffe Posted September 12, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2010 yeah.. i want rifle for target practice and shotgun for clays.. why you think the FAC is more difficult to obtain? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted September 12, 2010 Report Share Posted September 12, 2010 if you want a fac, all you need do is see a farmer you know if you know any,put the farm name on the fac form, they will phone him up,and there you go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stu_young Posted September 12, 2010 Report Share Posted September 12, 2010 for a FAC you need to show good reason to own one.... if you only want it for target shooting join a rifle club an after 6 months you can apply for a fac to use Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanrawcliffe Posted September 12, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2010 @stu young.. ok ill do that because i dont know any farmers in my area, what else can a shotgun be used for besides clays and hunting ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stu_young Posted September 12, 2010 Report Share Posted September 12, 2010 a shotgun isnt alot off use on anything apart from clays an hunting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apache Posted September 12, 2010 Report Share Posted September 12, 2010 @stu young.. ok ill do that because i dont know any farmers in my area, what else can a shotgun be used for besides clays and hunting ? Nothing legal springs to mind! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted September 12, 2010 Report Share Posted September 12, 2010 yeah.. i want rifle for target practice and shotgun for clays.. why you think the FAC is more difficult to obtain? Chap, In VERY SIMPLE terms You are allowed a shotgun, the Police have to show reason why you should not have one. You are NOT allowed a FAC unless you can show good reason why you should have one. You will not get a FAC/Rifles for target practice unless you are a member of an approved shooting club and have completed an appropriate probationery period. Once you have, you will still ONLY be allowed to use the rifle at approved ranges, you will NOT be allowed to take it out in the field and shoot bunnies etc unless you can get your FAC conditioned for "Vermin". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanrawcliffe Posted September 12, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2010 ok, how long is an appropriate probationery period ? thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted September 12, 2010 Report Share Posted September 12, 2010 You are at college and therefore have intelligence - I hope. You need to read up. It slightly bothers me that you have suddenly decided to get a shotgun and firearm. Have you actually been involved in any aspect of the sport at all or is this a whim? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aj85 Posted September 12, 2010 Report Share Posted September 12, 2010 high mate, not to jump on you here but i am currently in the process of applying for my fac. i have been using airguns since i was around 14 for both targets and hunting. i have gained as many permissions as i can and through being safe and curteous managed to hold on to them. i am a member of a rifle club, and a member of basc. as well as having some experience with the firearms i wish to use i served in the armed forces and have no criminal record. if you really want to get a fac then do your research, get some experience and be patient. unless you can justify having one i.e club shooting or vermin control over approved land you will not be issued your fac. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stu_young Posted September 12, 2010 Report Share Posted September 12, 2010 most rifle clubs have a 6 month probation period as far as i know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted September 12, 2010 Report Share Posted September 12, 2010 If your studying at college they will likely have a Target shooting possibly clay shootign club I suggest you get down to your Sports/Atheltic Union office and sign up for both. See: http://www.bucs.org.uk/page.asp?section=66...9;s+Information and: http://www.bucs.org.uk/sport.asp?section=9...Pigeon+Shooting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul T Posted September 12, 2010 Report Share Posted September 12, 2010 @stu young.. ok ill do that because i dont know any farmers in my area, what else can a shotgun be used for besides clays and hunting ? Hey Ryan, I appreciate you want to get into shooting, but it looks like you're trying to walk before you can run. Don't think for a minute you'll be running round the countryside blasting away at anything that moves. It doesn't work like that. You need to have rights over land and it's getting more difficult to get. I can shoot over the brother-in-laws farm (800+ acres), but it's 80 miles away and I've nothing local land wise - only clays. Also, you say you want a FAC rifle for 'target practice'? Practice for what exactly?? You don't say you want to get into competition shooting and you seem in a bit of a rush to get 'out there' with a FAC gun, which quite honestly, I find a bit worrying . I shot pigeons in the local woods 30 years ago with Dad's air rifle and no-one batted an eyelid then, but it's different now, and with a FAC gun :look: ? I've got a SGC only and could get a FAC, but it's not my sort of shooting and the reasons for it being more difficult to get a FAC should be fairly obvious. I strongly recommend you do a lot more research and come up with some really good reasons why you want to be around guns that doesn't involve being at all macho. For instance, my route was a natural progression from working my dog - not just because I wanted a gun :look: . I then started going to my local clay ground as a 'filler in' but found I like that as much as shooting in the field. Other uses for a shotgun? Get a deact and use it as a wall ornament if you're into that sort of thing. Personally I think it's a bit like having a car without an engine but we're all different. Sorry mate, I'm trying not to put you down, but I reckon you need to do some serious thinking first, then come back with a bit of a plan and the lads on here will help all they can. Atb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted September 12, 2010 Report Share Posted September 12, 2010 ok, how long is an appropriate probationery period ? thanks again The Home Office suggest a minimum of 3 Months, the reality is whatever your Club decides, my club is 6 months, this is not uncommon. You then have to be accepted as a full member, this will be decided by the Club Officials, but if you last the 6 months the odds are you will be accepted as a full member, otherwise you may well have been asked to leave before. It is NOT a cushy number, and the club has a lot to lose, there is nothing easy about this, and if you do not play the game it will not happen, certainly not in my club anyway. On top of which the NRA now stipulate an approved training program that you have to successfully complete during this period in order to obtain your Shooters Certification Card. Like I said, getting a FAC is harder than a SGC! .....and like others have said....... think on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted September 12, 2010 Report Share Posted September 12, 2010 .................i have a good place to put the gun cabinet, but how hard is it to bolt it to a concrete ? As a student studying architecture I would have thought this was right up your street. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strix Posted September 12, 2010 Report Share Posted September 12, 2010 (edited) .................i have a good place to put the gun cabinet, but how hard is it to bolt it to a concrete ? As a student studying architecture I would have thought this was right up your street. He says he is a first year Architecture student, which either means he has just finished first year and is about to start second year or he is about to start his first year. Either way it makes no difference as I admire you naïvety! Whatever makes you think that Schools of Architecture teach their students anything practical?? p.s. I am an Architect !!! Edited September 12, 2010 by strix Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oxon88 Posted September 12, 2010 Report Share Posted September 12, 2010 hi i am new to the forum and thinking about getting into shooting, i would like a FAC and a shotgun certificate, first of all will i have any trouble obtaining them ? ( i have no criminal records or nothing of that nature ). secondly i have heard people talking about slots on your liscence, whats this all about ? .. and should i apply for them now ( i am 18 and in college studying architecture ) or when i graduate and find a job ?. i have a good place to put the gun cabinet, but how hard is it to bolt it to a concrete ? thanks, ryam. I think it would be a good idea for you to go along to a local shooting club, get yourself some idea of what the club does and whether your interested in joining. Same goes for clay shooting. You should have done plenty of research before you dive in and apply for sgc/fac. I was a club member for over 2 years before i applied for my first FAC. Being 18 you may be drawn to the idea of owning guns to show people, but you need to consider what owning shotguns and rifles will entail. There is no issue with getting an FAC as long as you are able to justify a need for whatever you apply for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul T Posted September 12, 2010 Report Share Posted September 12, 2010 I bit my tongue on that one! Like Strix I know from experience but he's a naïve young kid who's still learning and still thinks there'll be a job in Architecture when he finishes :look: when half the profession has had to resort to Tesco's or B&Q for employment! I still remember a question from a Part III student, "So exactly how big is a brick?". Took 2 years to knock him into shape before our redundancy :look: . Good advice on from HDAV on contacts through college, Ryan - take it! Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanrawcliffe Posted September 12, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2010 ok thanks for the advice guys.. anyone shoot in the north west? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted September 12, 2010 Report Share Posted September 12, 2010 Which uni are you at Ryan? Plenty of places in the northwest, I would suggest that going through the uni is the best option as the cost will be subsidised you will get all the relevant training and safety as well as meeting some friends for life and having a great time... Freshers week is almost upon you so make sure you check out the clubs and society fair and sign up. Its a great introduction to the sport and normally a very good night out afterwards....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welsh warrior Posted September 12, 2010 Report Share Posted September 12, 2010 id stick with shotguns for now if i was you get to know what you are going into also see how much things cost in this sport before you start sure you can get gun cheap but you will see how quickly you shoot carts if your only doing clays let me tell you 1000s in a short time to. im 19 and got both but ive got plenty of land to shoot and im in with the right group of guys who take me along on shoots and beats etc ..rifles are something to really think about ive got a 22 lr and my 17 hmr finaly i might add as the guys on here know i ask plenty of question on 17hmr ..( sorry guys lol ) now im going for my 243 soon so last week i had a a go at a large cal rifle it was the 338 the game keeper uses for deer in the plantations and let me tell you pfft i wouldnt want to go much bigger than that it was a beast ..also if it was me id get bored at target shooting to be honest with you go and ask your local farmers for a shoot you can only ask and theres nothing to lose but if i was you leave out the rifle for now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted September 12, 2010 Report Share Posted September 12, 2010 A lot of Uni actually have their own shooting/clay clubs...worth a look! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apache Posted September 12, 2010 Report Share Posted September 12, 2010 I think you do need to go out and get some experience with firearms before applying. That goes without saying, and if you decide to join a rifle club the 6 month probation may be a good chance to shoot some clays and have a few lessons with a borrowed gun. If you still want to go for both SGC & FAC then that's a better time. IMO BUT if you get to this point I would put in for a SCG AND a FAC. The sport is addictive, I have had my SGC & FAC a little over a year and have already installed a 2nd cabinet and my paperwork is away for a variation at the moment! I do think the college shooting idea bloody good, I wish my uni has a shooting club when I was there [it didn't but does now!] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.