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Shotgun certficate and depression


ferguson_tom
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About 18 months ago my missus had quite severe depression which is now a lot better, she still has down days but nothing as bad as what it was and is under control and off medication now for about 6 months. She wants to get into shooting and I would like her to come along as well my questions is what is the best way to go about it? I was thinking to buy a gun for her but on my license, only I will have access to the cabinet and she will only shoot when with me on ranges with permission from firearms officer. So it will be just like borrowing a gun from me but is this legal to do it like this.

 

I am going to be honest she is a lot better and very very rarely has bad days but i still would not like to give her the keys to the cabinet (if we got her her own license) in case she has a particularly bad day, i am not saying she will but better to be safe than sorry. Without being too crude I know that if someone wanted to end it they would find a way. Even at her worse she did not have these tendancies but was told to keep eye on her by the doctor.

 

Eventually we will try and get her a license but not for a couple of years i think.

Edited by ferguson_tom
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Tom

 

Your 'keys to the cabinet' comment worries me. I do sympathise but there is a big difference between being depressed and being potentially suicidal.

 

Your last paragraph says it all, wait longer, be patient and let her share your hobby sensibly for now within the limits of the law, common sense and doctor's advice.

 

GL fella.

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Hi Tom :)

 

I'm in a similar type of situation. I have a 21yr old son who has Aspergers Syndrome (a mild form of Autism). He has been shooting for about 5 years now, started off with clay pigeon and then we both joined a gun club and shoot section 1 firearms. He applied for an SGC just over a year ago but due to his GP writing a complete load of b@ll@cks he has no chance of getting one (at present).

 

However, we are both members of a clay pigeon club and 2 gunclubs, he passed the required probationary periods and safety training and also has his safe shooters card so can now shoot on any MOD range. He shoots my rifles at both indoor and outdoor ranges and it's perfectly legal to do so, being a full member he can even go shoot on his own using the club guns which he does a couple of times a month when his personal assistant takes him and gives me a night off.

 

He will get his own SGC and FAC eventually, there are quite a lot of peope with Aspergers who have done this so it can be done. We're getting a proper assessment by a consultant psychologist but of course this will take some time, it's taken a year just to get the first appointment!. So as said above, take it slowly and you will get there :)

Edited by phaedra1106
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Thanks for the replies gents, looking on my post it did make a big deal of the suicide bit i just wanted to make it clear she was not at that stage, just when the doctor mentions it its something that sticks in the back of your mind and niggles.

 

By giving keys to the cabinet I meant if she got her own license and not just using mine sorry did not make this clear, dont worry my keys are being given to no one :good:

 

If she was to come with me it would be safe and have all faith in her I was not sure how it would look to firearms officer having a gun just for someone else, granted they would never find out but i want to make sure i am not doing anything wrong if i treat it like my own gun. Thats a shame to here about your GPs analysis on your son, i have some family friends with autism one i wouldnt trust with a pea shooter but the other is one of the most safety conscious people i know and very responsible.

Edited by ferguson_tom
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I know a farmer who suffers with depression and in the past has been suicidal he still has his licence but has to keep his guns in his sons cabinate and doesn't have access, he can only shoot when his lad does.

 

you could probably get a similar condition for your lad that he must be accompanied by another licence holder and guns kept with yours.

 

Gary

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Same case scenario as you mate, well done on getting her through.

 

Just put the gun on your license and let your use it when you shoot, not giving her access. I know exactly what you mean about possible off days but being better but you still being nervous. It's what I do.

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Thanks for the replies, interesting to know about the farmer.

 

I am going to try the 21 gram cartridges in my gun first but I think i will do the same go get her a 20g on my license for when we go shooting together.

 

Make sure you use 21s in the 20g too because it will kick her more, not less, with 28s.

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About 18 months ago my missus had quite severe depression which is now a lot better, she still has down days but nothing as bad as what it was and is under control and off medication now for about 6 months. She wants to get into shooting and I would like her to come along as well my questions is what is the best way to go about it? I was thinking to buy a gun for her but on my license, only I will have access to the cabinet and she will only shoot when with me on ranges with permission from firearms officer. So it will be just like borrowing a gun from me but is this legal to do it like this.

 

I am going to be honest she is a lot better and very very rarely has bad days but i still would not like to give her the keys to the cabinet (if we got her her own license) in case she has a particularly bad day, i am not saying she will but better to be safe than sorry. Without being too crude I know that if someone wanted to end it they would find a way. Even at her worse she did not have these tendancies but was told to keep eye on her by the doctor.

 

Eventually we will try and get her a license but not for a couple of years i think.

 

 

These things are always difficult, but the way I read that suggests she is not well yet, and you would not be happy letting her have her own gun.

 

I cant help thinking that being close to her you should maybe wait until you are easy with the situation, whatever your FEO/Region may say.

 

But hey, nobody here really knows the situation, just an opinion on the info you have relayed!

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Thanks Dekers, she is now doing very well and virtually back to normal its just something that will always stick in the back of someones mind and makes me personally very cautious which to be honest is quite unfounded but while at work etc it will always be going through my head worrying.

Edited by ferguson_tom
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Is this just for clays? If it is then why does she need a cert in her own name. You can always buy her a gun on your cert that you take for her to a clay ground with a section 11 exemption.

 

If it's for game and she's needs her own cert then I could see you might have trouble. There's a lot of pressure on the police at the moment after recent 'incidents' and IF she was refused then you have to tick that box every time she fills in a FAC/SGC application or renewal.

 

I'd let a little more water under the bridge if it were me.

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