Sandbank Posted February 12, 2012 Report Share Posted February 12, 2012 Sorry if it appears I am covering old ground: I have located a thread concerning delays in SGC/FAC grant and renewal which is at least a couple of years old. The subject has cropped up in a few recent 'Welcome to Pigeon Watch' posts, but not easily spotted in that forum. Tim Greenfield (RFD and Ground Owner) told me yesterday that Kent is now close to slipping 6 months behind in processing applications. However applications are being returned if submitted 'too early'. Be interesting to know what is happening around the UK (recognise N.I. have a slightly different system). So what are your experiences? Length of time to process? Response from FEOs and office staff? What are County Constabularies approaches to those placed 'outside the law': Section 7 or covering letter offered? or simply told to place guns in store? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deershooter Posted February 12, 2012 Report Share Posted February 12, 2012 I am in Lincolnshire now 25 days without a certificate been told they wont issue a section 7 guns dont kneed to be in store carry on shooting now asking for this to be put in writing Deershooter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloke Posted February 12, 2012 Report Share Posted February 12, 2012 (edited) I have applied for FAC and the FEO office said it would be at least 6 weeks before it even lands on an FEO's desk. They said at least 10-12 weeks for processing! :blink: Edit: p.s. I am in Lincolnshire, not North Lincs. Edited February 12, 2012 by Bloke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browning GTS Posted February 12, 2012 Report Share Posted February 12, 2012 Mines not up until next year, but just done a variation, that took about 5 weeks from first sending off application to receiving FAC back. Thats with TVP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted February 12, 2012 Report Share Posted February 12, 2012 as long as they can see you have put in your re nenewal that should be ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted February 12, 2012 Report Share Posted February 12, 2012 Greater Manchester are on the ball. Nothing less than rapid and excellent. This is not at the expense of proper checking, I should add. :good: :good: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daz2202 Posted February 12, 2012 Report Share Posted February 12, 2012 I'm kent and renewal is in now, been told approx 5 - 6 months and I should stock up on carts before it runs out this week. Good job I don't shoot 100 clays every sunday or I would be re mortgaging Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bode.boden Posted February 12, 2012 Report Share Posted February 12, 2012 west mercia brill sgc posted and back in 2 weeks [renewel] :good: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandbank Posted February 13, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2012 (edited) I'm kent and renewal is in now, been told approx 5 - 6 months and I should stock up on carts before it runs out this week.Good job I don't shoot 100 clays every sunday or I would be re mortgaging Does seem Kent is the UK 'black spot' at the moment. The lack of replies appear to indicate rest of the country not so bad. It is an appalling situation where (assuming roughly even distribution of renewal dates), at any one time, 10% of Kent gun owners are having to operate 'unlicensed'. And if they have the means, stockpile more ammunition than they normally would. No longer a Section 1 holder so no idea how you guys get on in Kent. I assume no relaxation in the acquire/hold allowance. Edited February 13, 2012 by Sandbank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferrodo Posted February 13, 2012 Report Share Posted February 13, 2012 West Mercia have just turned my SGC renewal around within two weeks. R Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willy1 Posted February 13, 2012 Report Share Posted February 13, 2012 I'm in Kent and have just waited nearly 5 months for a variation to come through. I'm thinking of purchasing a couple of black powder pistols to use at the club,but it most likely will be August or later BEFORE license is back. :no: Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CZ550Kevlar Posted February 13, 2012 Report Share Posted February 13, 2012 Has/Is anyone in the position that they sent their licence/s in for renewal in plenty of time but the renewal has still not been done after the expiry date, what happened in a situation like that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeds chimp Posted February 13, 2012 Report Share Posted February 13, 2012 5 months for a variation with Norfolk and will be putting another one in soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BangBangNik Posted February 13, 2012 Report Share Posted February 13, 2012 Lancashire did my SGC grant within 2 weeks. Very rapid service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greymaster Posted February 13, 2012 Report Share Posted February 13, 2012 And it has been suggested that fees be raised to reward such inefficiency. Perhaps anything over 4 weeks turnaround and they should process for free, and anything over 8 weeks and they pay you at the rate they wanted the rates increased to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandbank Posted February 13, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2012 Has/Is anyone in the position that they sent their licence/s in for renewal in plenty of time but the renewal has still not been done after the expiry date, what happened in a situation like that? This is what is happening to everyone in Kent. Applications are being processed in order of expiry rather than receipt. Try and beat the system and submit an application 6 months early and it will be returned. Still legally required to apply in good time but, in practice, would not matter if posted it 8 weeks before or 8 weeks after expiry of last licence. No Sections 7s are being issued, I understand people are being told they can continue to shoot but not purchase ammunition. This is a very grey area in law, really just a 'gentlemans agreement' from the FEC. Not sure how it would stand up to a challenge from 'Uniform'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CZ550Kevlar Posted February 13, 2012 Report Share Posted February 13, 2012 (edited) This is what is happening to everyone in Kent. Applications are being processed in order of expiry rather than receipt. Try and beat the system and submit an application 6 months early and it will be returned. Still legally required to apply in good time but, in practice, would not matter if posted it 8 weeks before or 8 weeks after expiry of last licence. No Sections 7s are being issued, I understand people are being told they can continue to shoot but not purchase ammunition. This is a very grey area in law, really just a 'gentlemans agreement' from the FEC. Not sure how it would stand up to a challenge from 'Uniform'. Something did occur to me today, i have a SGC and also a section 1 shotgun on my FAC, my SGC expires sept 2013 & my FAC april 2014, that being the case i can submit my SGC and while it`s away i can buy shotgun carts on my Firearms licence, .22 and .17hmr is cheap enough to stockpile loads, all my other calibers i reload so i can stock up easily on components. Edited February 13, 2012 by CZ550Kevlar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony1 Posted February 13, 2012 Report Share Posted February 13, 2012 My sons expired early Feb, advisedit could be a two month delay will have wait and see if this correct time scale??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willy1 Posted February 14, 2012 Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 My sons expired early Feb, advisedit could be a two month delay will have wait and see if this correct time scale??? Tony, when I rang in the beginning of this month (February) I was advised that they were just starting Octobers paperwork,so you'll be very fortunate to get it back in two months. Also,each person had at least 5 toybox sized cases to deal with. that's how bad it is with Kent firearms at the moment,and it can only get worse,so much so I've not even attempted to put in for another variation as I ran out of ammo last time round. Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulr5604 Posted February 14, 2012 Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 I applied for my first sgc firearms officer came round two weeks after submitting my application to humberside police still waiting for certificate to arrive in the post three weeks after inspection. Not as bad as others but getting a bit impatient now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P~MX Posted February 14, 2012 Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 like it has been said Northern Ireland is different but on a good note my mate sent his cert of to add an extra gun lastweek, they would have received it on Tuesday and he got it back on Saturday mornin 3/4 days turn around - congratulations to PSNI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveyTed Posted February 14, 2012 Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 Regarding Kent not issuing Section 7s; has anyone contacted BASC, NGO etc. about this as Kent police are effectively telling you to break the law. As has been previously said you can't buy cartridges and may have your gun confiscated as you cannot prove legal entitlement without your certificate. Write to your MP requesting they raise the the matter with the Home Secretary. I understand the request cannot be ignored. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedeerman Posted February 14, 2012 Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 I applied for my FAC from Leicestershire on 17th November, and I collected if from thier office on 24th January. I thought this was great considering the land had to be checked off and the Christmas and new year break. The guys at Leicestershire were very helpful, and didn't even get annoyed with my constant telephone calls enquiring on progress. This may have sped things up?? They did make one mistake with one of my moderator slots though, putting it down as rimfire instead of centrefire. I sent it back for ammendment yesterday, and all being well i'll have it back next week. On the flipside when I moved house and fitted a bigger safe they took about 8 weeks to come and inspect everything. It didnt affect my shooting in fairness though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bighit1985 Posted February 14, 2012 Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 Regarding Kent not issuing Section 7s; has anyone contacted BASC, NGO etc. about this as Kent police are effectively telling you to break the law. As has been previously said you can't buy cartridges and may have your gun confiscated as you cannot prove legal entitlement without your certificate. Write to your MP requesting they raise the the matter with the Home Secretary. I understand the request cannot be ignored. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bighit1985 Posted February 14, 2012 Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 I have emailed my mp Adam holloway but no reply from him so far on the matter, but the more people that get it to the mps attention the better and might get somewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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