FAC and a Conviction

[Patrick1]

Hi all, I have a quick question, I am thinking of applying for my FAC soon, however I do have a conviction for "In Charge Whilst Unfit Through Drink" a DR50 and IN14 on my driving licence, I got 10pts and £650 fine. Apart from that nothing else, good health no problems like that. Will they see me as unfit and not issue me a FAC with that conviction? All advice greatly appreciated.

[HDAV]

Be honest put it on the form and hope that they see you have changed your ways and it was a one off...........it depends how long ago it was as long as you are not a "prohibited person" you can apply and only the FLO/Chief constable make the decision.

[DaveK]

Well the points and fine shouldn't go against you but one check that's done is to ensure you are of temperate habits. The reason for your conviction would suggest not. Phone them and ask.

Edited November 4, 2012 by DaveK

[Patrick1]

Hi Dvek what do you mean temperate habits? Please

 

Cheers

[Paddy Galore!]

that first one sounds wierd, in charge of what? were you driving or just sat behind the wheel of a car?

also depends on how long ago.

[Patrick1]

Friend was driving me home, i was drunk, pulled over he legged it as not insured on car, i stayed with the car in passengers seat, so charge with In charge whilst unfit and IN14 for aiding somebody to drive uninsured.

[bullet1747]

When was it but to fair ,don't put a deposit on any guns hope I'm wrong ,as people have said ring and ask

[HDAV]

When was it but to fair ,don't put a deposit on any guns hope I'm wrong ,as people have said ring and ask

 

I dont see the point in ringing, can someone explain? IF not "prohibited person" then surely the best thing to do is apply they arent going to run all the checks unless you apply, the easiest thing for them to do if you ring is advise against applying. Unless you apply you will never know..... Fill out the form get the counter signatory, have the photos taken and send it off (assuming you have good reason etc).

 

What will you be applying for and why?

[parapilot]

As said depends how long ago. If it was less than 5 years I'd say you would struggle. Over 5 years, if you are squeaky clean apart from this you will have a chance. But only thing is to apply and see. Nothing to loose, if refused then you get your dosh back anyway.

[mark@mbb]

I had a fair share mate if i was honest when i was digging the judge told me i was a pest to society butt that was 30 years ago and i got my fac

Edited November 4, 2012 by mark@mbb

[kent]

A mates brother served time for poaching, illegal possesion of a firearm, assult on ploice among other stuff. he now has an FAC but had to take it to the court, makes it all a joke IMO., still known to this day as a volotile hot head

[ordnance]

I know people with a lot more convictions than you one for assault had no problem getting their firearms certificate. I wouldn't ring anyone apply for the certificate put the conviction on the form and see what happens.

[Scully]

I know people with a lot more convictions than you one for assault had no problem getting their firearms certificate. I wouldn't ring anyone apply for the certificate put the conviction on the form and see what happens.

+1

[Luckyshot]

You should still get your fac as I have similar convictions and I got mine no prolem.

[Patrick1]

would just be looking for a .22 bolt action rifle for target practice, and maybe one of those .22 long barrelled pistols, theres quite a few clubs local to me that does both them disciplines, it was nearly two years ago. Also if you applydo they look at cautions etc?

[njc110381]

Time is a great healer. If it's more than five years ago I'm pretty sure they have no legal case to refuse you. I waited nine years after my charge of illegal possession of explosives and they let me have one! Apparently I only needed to wait 5.

[HDAV]

Also if you applydo they look at cautions etc?

yep, everything even "spent" convictions, arrests, associates, complaints, every contact you or your household have had with the police and you have to put them all down on the form including speeding etc from day one!

[mikky]

fill in the forms,any questions just be honest

 

mikky

[markbivvy]

it was nearly two years ago.

I would wait another 5 then.

At least.

Edited November 4, 2012 by markbivvy

[HDAV]

would just be looking for a .22 bolt action rifle for target practice, and maybe one of those .22 long barrelled pistols, theres quite a few clubs local to me that does both them disciplines, it was nearly two years ago. Also if you applydo they look at cautions etc?

 

Ah so you'll need to do you probationary period at a club then best do some research..... Most require 6 months membership before you can apply for a certificate for target shooting

[robbiep]

Time is always the big issue in any case like this. The longer ago that it was, and the more that you can show you are a well-adjusted and responsible person, the better.

I know someone who, at the age of 18, got a GBH conviction. At 27, married, professional job, settled, sensible, he has recently got his first FAC

I also know of another person who applied for a SGC. Unfortunately, he 'forgot' to put on his application that he was convicted for assaulting a police officer 15 years before. To the police, that was attempting to hide something, and he was turned down.

 

You must put any and all convictions down. You do NOT need to put any cautions down. However, any cautions, complaints, or any other contact with the police will be on record, and will be noted for your application.

As an example, where I used to work, I was a keyholder. When there was a breakin, I was called in to work by the police for dealing with the alarm, and to give statements, etc. When I applied for my SGC, the fact that a burglary was recorded next to my name led to police wanting extra security at my home, until I explained that the burglary happened 20 miles from home.

 

Oh, if you aren't already a member of a target shooting club, then you have almost no chance of getting a FAC for target shooting. They want to see you being accepted as a member, going through the probationary membership, and being accepted as a full member. The club will also ask the police about you as part of your membership application

[ordnance]

Time is always the big issue in any case like this. The longer ago that it was, and the more that you can show you are a well-adjusted and responsible person, the better.

I know someone who, at the age of 18, got a GBH conviction. At 27, married, professional job, settled, sensible, he has recently got his first FAC

I also know of another person who applied for a SGC. Unfortunately, he 'forgot' to put on his application that he was convicted for assaulting a police officer 15 years before. To the police, that was attempting to hide something, and he was turned down.

 

You must put any and all convictions down. You do NOT need to put any cautions down. However, any cautions, complaints, or any other contact with the police will be on record, and will be noted for your application.

As an example, where I used to work, I was a keyholder. When there was a breakin, I was called in to work by the police for dealing with the alarm, and to give statements, etc. When I applied for my SGC, the fact that a burglary was recorded next to my name led to police wanting extra security at my home, until I explained that the burglary happened 20 miles from home.

 

Oh, if you aren't already a member of a target shooting club, then you have almost no chance of getting a FAC for target shooting. They want to see you being accepted as a member, going through the probationary membership, and being accepted as a full member. The club will also ask the police about you as part of your membership application

 

The police should not be giving information on any individual to any cub. I am not even sure if that would be legal.

[robbiep]

The police should not be giving information on any individual to any cub. I am not even sure if that would be legal.

 

I'll happily be corrected if wrong, but I always thought one of the requirements for being a Home Office registered club was that all prospective members/members were 'checked', whether applying for FACs or not

[Muddy Funker]

I'd just apply.

 

It isn't violence related it's a driving matter which isn't the end of the world.

 

Slightly less serious but I had to put down a spent conviction for driving without due care, and also a separate spent speeding conviction.

 

Didn't hinder me at all on a co terminous application.

[Dekers]

would just be looking for a .22 bolt action rifle for target practice, and maybe one of those .22 long barrelled pistols, theres quite a few clubs local to me that does both them disciplines, it was nearly two years ago. Also if you applydo they look at cautions etc?

 

Whatever the situation with any previous police convictions, you are not going to get a FAC without land for field work and/or being a member of a suitable club.

 

The easiest way for most is to join a club, any Home Office Approved club will also ask you to complete a section 21 declaration, and may also ask you for your full history, this is to help them decide if you are suitable for club membership, there decision is there decision.