Requirements for gaining a FAC

[big bad lindz]

Seasons greetings to all.

 

I am in no doubt that this topic may already have been posted at some time but I would just like to find out some information with regard to gaining a FAC from the wealth of information that you all have.

I have held a shotgun certificate for the past 5 years. This was initially for only shooting clays. I thought that I would try the next stage of shooting by going after live quarry, pigeon, rabbit and wildfowling etc to see if I enjoyed it. And I can only say that I wish I had tried sooner in my life. There is nothing better than and more satisfying than shoot it eat it.

I am thinking of taking the hobby / pastime / sport, of shooting up to the next stage and I am just wanting to find out as much information as I can.

I understand that I will first of all have to some land to shoot on. This should not be to much of a problem as I already have some permission for the wildfowl & pigeons & game birds on a walk up on a farm near me although I know that fox`s & deer are sometimes shoot by the landowners themselves.

So apart from gaining land what else is needed. I understand that a certificate is issued for a specific caliber and for only shooting named species.

Do I need to prove that I can shoot and have a formal understanding of ballistics etc before I can apply

Is it a bit of cart before the horse scenario that I need a lot of boxs to be ticked before I can apply for a FAC & then purchase a rifle.

I do live in northern Scotland so the laws may be different for south of the border.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

 

BBL

[Bleeh]

This completely depends on your firearms department, it varies, but usually follows this path. (and I can't vouch for Scotland)

 

On your first application, FEO's generally like you to start off with the smallest calibers (Anything between .22lr upwards, normally anything that isn't Deer legal), and then spending some time to gain experience with them, before allowing larger calibers.

 

The process for larger calibers usually follows one of two routes: You either get granted after a while of using a smaller caliber, or you have a 'mentor' who takes you out on several occasions, and then vouches for your safe use. This can either happen before having your ticket granted, or afterwards (Which is a pain, as you'll have a mentor condition on one of your rifles, meaning you have to be accompanied to use it)

 

Your Firearms will start on a 'closed' ticket, meaning the land has to be prior checked by the firearms officer, to approve it of suitability up to a certain caliber, so, the land has to be safe enough to use the largest caliber you want. (backstops and so on), after a while this can be upgraded to an 'Open' ticket (that allows you to use it on any land)

 

I think the best way forwards is to think what rifles you want, then phone your FEO, have a chat about your application, and then apply.

[apache]

Pretty much what has been said. You need to be able to justify every firearm you require, also if you want a sound moderator [=silencer] you have to apply for them. You also have to suggest a number of bullets/ammo you wish to buy/have in your possession. They like some experience but going out a few times before you apply with someone experienced [especially if you use them as a referee] you should have no problems. Legally the ammunition has to be locked up and some forces like the bolt of the rifle to be kept separate [although there is no requirement in law].

 

I thought that Scotland gave 'open' certs and you could shoot anywhere with landowner's permission, some counties in the UK do this [North Yorkshire being one] and it makes the issue much simpler as you gain permission, or go with a friend.

 

Have a good think what you want to shoot and what rifles you will need. Each time you change your mind it costs you another £26!

 

I put in for a .22RF and .17HMR and had no problems, so long as you are sensible you will be fine [assuming your police force as obliging as mine]

[Scully]

If you have 'good reason' to possess a firearm (pest/vermin control is 'good reason')you shouldn't have any problems gaining a FAC,especially as you've had a SGC for some years.Ask your landowner to write you aletter giving permission to control vermin/pests on his land,or as is more usual in my experience,write the letter yourself and ask the landowner to sign it!You can download Fac application forms and loads more stuff from the BASC website.It may be worth joining a shooting organisation if you haven't already,they can help with all sorts of problems you may encounter.Some licensing authorities try to 'add' restrictions such as mentoring and other rubbish,even though there is no legal requirement for such things.A shooting org' will help if you encounter obstacles.Good luck.

[here iam]

i was told to join a rifle club and get some experiance also asked if i had a mentor to show me the ropes.i have joined a rifle club and a private syndicate and i am now looking at my Fac you have to do a minium of 16 visits also at a club

[rimmie]

Seasons greetings to all.

 

I am in no doubt that this topic may already have been posted at some time but I would just like to find out some information with regard to gaining a FAC from the wealth of information that you all have.

I have held a shotgun certificate for the past 5 years. This was initially for only shooting clays. I thought that I would try the next stage of shooting by going after live quarry, pigeon, rabbit and wildfowling etc to see if I enjoyed it. And I can only say that I wish I had tried sooner in my life. There is nothing better than and more satisfying than shoot it eat it.

I am thinking of taking the hobby / pastime / sport, of shooting up to the next stage and I am just wanting to find out as much information as I can.

I understand that I will first of all have to some land to shoot on. This should not be to much of a problem as I already have some permission for the wildfowl & pigeons & game birds on a walk up on a farm near me although I know that fox`s & deer are sometimes shoot by the landowners themselves.

So apart from gaining land what else is needed. I understand that a certificate is issued for a specific caliber and for only shooting named species.

Do I need to prove that I can shoot and have a formal understanding of ballistics etc before I can apply

Is it a bit of cart before the horse scenario that I need a lot of boxs to be ticked before I can apply for a FAC & then purchase a rifle.

I do live in northern Scotland so the laws may be different for south of the border.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

 

BBL

if you have land suitible then you should be fine or you have to join a home office approved rifle club and be a member for 6 months and go regular to get one.if you have land and get a fac for vermin DONT go out untill you have been shown the ropes by someone and prefibly have him come with you for a while just to be sure hope this helps

[kent]

what do you plan to shoot? were do you have consent? what gun do you wish to own for the purpose? Are you a fit and proper person? are the guns going to be secure ? these are the questions you FEO will look at joining a club is meaningless if you want to shoot deer in the field, having a rimfire first is meaningless if you dont have any small vermin to shoot, wanting a 50 cal to shoot foxes aint gonna happen either get the forms speak to your two refrences and your shooting association, fill the forms in and wait

[Dekers]

Wipe the furrowed brow and here we go again......

 

In principle it is simple, you need a reason, and if you have it, the tools should follow, experience is not a specific requirement.

 

But life just never turns out that simple.

 

ATB!

[Norrie]

Hiya, I'm surprised no one from Scotland has replied to you before now...

 

Anyway, I got my FAC last Summer, I'd only shot airguns before that, and a couple of Clay days..and had a couple of permissions that I used my airgun on.....what I did was.....I firstly approached the land owners to make sure it was ok with them for me to use Shotguns and FAC's on their land, to my mind that is VERY important, I know one guy in the last couple of weeks, who had his permissions recinded through NOT explaining himself properly , he lost BOTH his permissions... both landowners said no problem, so, I got Shotgun and FAC permission slips signed by them...

Next, I went to see my mate, who was a stalker near Granton, he advised me on the calibres I would need for Vermin, Fox and Roe, ( he also was one of my Refs) his advice was .22 FAC Air, .22 RF, and .222 CF for Fox and Roe.He also told me to apply for a sound moderator for each, and the reason for wanting was..health and safety ( your hearing) I got the forms, took them in,along with my permission slips.. had my FEO visit, talked at length with my FEO,(no questions about ballistics etc), but a general chat about shooting, fishing etc....he left, and I waited,my tickets showed up a couple of weeks later, and I've never looked back.

 

Open ticket, and no restrictions on my .222, as long as I have permission..

 

Honestly as they say, there's nothing to it..

 

Have fun,( wont wish you good luck, you wont need it) and if you need any help/info at all, PM me, I'll do what I can for you.

 

BTW, It's well worth a bottle of something nice to the land owners at Xmas, and beer for the farm workers who help me out..

Edited January 4, 2011 by Norrie