counter signature

[Liam-1990]

Can anyone throw some light on this for me, when I applied for my shotgun certificate about 6 yrs ago, Im sure I used 2 counter signatures, and I used just one for renewal,

has it always been one for applying and I sent 2 by error or have things changed ?

 

Thanks.

[Spook]

Pretty sure it's been one for ShotGun and two for Firearms for at least 15 years but I can go check as I keep copies of all my paper work.

[Will Poon]

Got my neighbour to countersign my SGC , just one person this was about 3 months ago .

[yankeedoodlepigeon]

Was your neighbour a professional/director of some kind or can it just be anyone?

[bedwards1966]

It is just one person for a shotgun certificate, and 2 referees (not quite the same thing) for a FAC. It's been the same for a long time (since 1968?).

 

yankeedoodlepigeon, the person should be of good standing and must have known you personally for at least 2 years.

[yankeedoodlepigeon]

Thanks

[Liam-1990]

I must have sent 2 in error getting mixed up with firearms they granted it anyway.

[JonathanL]

It is just one person for a shotgun certificate, and 2 referees (not quite the same thing) for a FAC. It's been the same for a long time (since 1968?).

 

yankeedoodlepigeon, the person should be of good standing and must have known you personally for at least 2 years.

 

FAc used to be the same as SGC prior to 1997 when it changed to two referees.

 

This is an example of how ridiculous firearms legislation has become as it has been amended over the years. The FAC bit was changed and the 'standard' of the people need has been lowered as essentially anyone can be one whereas you need a 'person of standing' (doctor, lawyer, company director, etc) for an SGC. So, for the guns which are subject to a greater degree of control you can use essentially any old muppet you happen to know.

 

J.

[39TDS]

I find I know a good few old muppets that will sign for my rifle, it's a pain trying to find a doctor, lawyer etc to sign for me. I just don't know any, and I would suggest a great many of us don't.

[Scully]

Used to know all the doctors in my local surgery,but over the years they've either died,retired,or moved away.Retired ones still relevant of course,but I just ask a local businessman/woman,such as undertaker,builder,landlady(of your local)manager or boss at work.Licensing have never turned one down yet.

I do understand of course,living in such a rural area as I do,where nearly everyone knows everyone else,it's not so much a problem for me,but there are loads of professions out there which will suffice.

[Will Poon]

Was your neighbour a professional/director of some kind or can it just be anyone?

Hi, she's a beautician , owns her business

[mossy835]

i got my manager to sign mine

[harris2006]

My girlfriends dad signed mine and he's a window fitter.

 

[shaun4860]

Ive signed loads now and never had any problem

 

[Robl]

Without checking I can’t be sure.

But I think it needs to be someone of some sort of ‘standing’ and ‘recognition’ who can be identified.

 

So, a company owner/director of a real company can do it, because the company can be identified and the manager found shown to be a decent business person (sort of thing).

But an IT contractor company director/owner can’t do it because that have no stability. Anyone can start a ltd company and become a director without having premises or staff.

 

I had a mate do mine who is a Teacher. She’s registered on the teachers database and can be found on school websites.

 

So, teachers, doctors, managers and owners of established businesses and companies can all do it.

[TrapFiller]

I got one of the Directors from the local fishery to do mine for me went through no problems.

[HDAV]

Missus did my uncles renewal and her friends application, mates dad did mine a JP. They may have tightened up recently, missus was never contacted about my uncles renewal!

[Lewisbeechey]

I got my neighbour (pharmacist) to sign mine. A friend got a Tesco store manager (his boss) to sign his...

[39TDS]

My cousins wife is a pharmacist. Is she allowed to do mine or is that classed as close family?

 

Form says relative can't sign.

Edited August 17, 2012 by 39TDS

[HDAV]

I would say yes as she is not related to you, she is related by marriage to your cousin. I know of one instance of a sister in law and that was too close....

 

Trying to find the reference but:

10.8 Members of the applicant’s family may

not act as referees. In the absence of a

Court ruling, family is taken to mean the

following: mother; father; son; daughter;

sister; brother; aunt; uncle; grand parent and

mother/father/sister/brother in law. Cousins

are not regarded as immediate family but cohabiting

partners should be considered as

“family” for these purposes and not be

accepted. Serving police officers, police

civilian employees and registered firearms

dealers (but see paragraph 10.9) may not

act as referees.

 

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/police/firearms/HO-Firearms-Guidance.pdf?view=Binary Page 50

 

10.7 A referee may be of any background

or occupation. A referee must be of good

character, whom the police may trust to give

honest replies to the questions contained on

the referee form (the referee is not required

to guarantee the applicant’s good behaviour).

10.8 Members of the applicant’s family may

not act as referees. In the absence of a

Court ruling, family is taken to mean the

following: mother; father; son; daughter;

sister; brother; aunt; uncle; grand parent and

mother/father/sister/brother in law. Cousins

are not regarded as immediate family but cohabiting

partners should be considered as

“family” for these purposes and not be

accepted. Serving police officers, police

civilian employees and registered firearms

dealers (but see paragraph 10.9) may not

act as referees.

Edited August 17, 2012 by HDAV

[39TDS]

Nice one. Thanks for that