whybrow Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 Hi everyone, I am a newbie and I have applied for an SGC (sent 14/01/14) and have called Kent Police Firearms to see if they received my bank cheque, ha ha, they hadn't but stated that the waiting period is currently at 5 months for both new applications and renewals. When I called earlier today, yep, you guessed it, to see if they had received my bank cheque(do people still use personal cheque books?), I was told that they had and it has been processed and that my details were on the system and would be sent in two weeks, I am assuming the lady meant to the FEO, A, Mr Rowlinson, who apparently now only works part time. If any of you are aware of his favourite biscuits please let me know or of his likes/dislikes. I have already installed a 3 gun cabinet so I won't experience any further delays and have a BASC membership but if there is anything else I need or if you have any tips for the following please don't hesitate to let me know: Best place to store cartridges? - separate ammo safe? Cabinet Keys - Do I only know of where they are hidden and no one else in household? Home security - I have floodlights installed to front, side and rear of property and it looks like Wembley stadium when anyone enters the property boundaries, I have window locks that use an older hex type key (they lock so I would assume they will suffice) and I have two bichon Frise dogs (good old barking deterrent) Is there anything else I should install? Smart Water has been mentioned on this forum - is it worth it/good value for money? Any help/advice gratefully received... Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crowdie2013 Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 (edited) Have a search through previous posts. If your sensible, haven't a bad criminal record you'll b fine. Mind and look at basc website and be able to identify your quarry. Think you've to get 30 out of 35 right from the quarry list and know their seasons. My fao let me off with 28/35 but I think it was because Ii was last thing on a Friday and he couldn't b bothered with the refusal paperwork. All the best Edited January 27, 2014 by crowdie2013 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver pigeon69 Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 Have a search through previous posts. If your sensible, haven't a bad criminal record you'll b fine. Mind and look at basc website and be able to identify your quarry. Think you've to get 30 out of 35 right from the quarry list and know their seasons. My fao let me off with 28/35 but I think it was because Ii was last thing on a Friday and he couldn't b bothered with the refusal paperwork. All the best or be able to identify the different type of clays available on the quarry list if you only intend to shoot clays!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whybrow Posted January 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 Thanks guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crowdie2013 Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 Just pulling your leg pal- have a search through and you'll find loads of good advice. If in doubt ask the issuing police force. They'll not expect you to know everything but to see you've reasonable security, are a safe pair of hands and sensible. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huds78 Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 I got my 1st SGC from Kent police last year, I applied end of Feb beginning of March and received my cert mid July about a week after my home visit. It was a Mr Gould that came out to me and he was really easy going. My cabinet was already installed and he was happy with that as he was my arrangements for the spare keys (I am the only one other than him that knows there location). My cheque was cleared very early on but it took a while as I suppose they write to Dr etc and he phoned my referee a week or so before seeing me. On the home visit he just asked about my experience with shooting and where I intended to shoot etc etc. Hope this helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whybrow Posted January 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 Thanks Crowdie2013, I gathered you were jesting, I did look at the quarry list though ha ha....and huds78 this is really useful info, I think they may have written to my GP already because the GP has found that despite moving home in August 2013 and changing my address, I just put town and I am actually living out of his catchment area due to the full address (parish) given only on SGC document. I have had to register with a new GP today further to receiving a letter from the GP surgery, yet the current GP will continue to provide services for a calendar month. I can only think that this is due to SGC application because my family members have not received letter of necessity to change. Perhaps I am just wishful thinking that I am progressing rapidly along the foodchain. Where do you shoot Huds78? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huds78 Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 I Currently only shoot clays but I go mainly to Martin Gorse http://www.martingorse.co.uk/ or for a bit of skeet to http://www.kentclayshooting.co.uk/references.html . I have been over Greenfields in Canterbury but only once on a midweek shoot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southern Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 When we applied for ours last year we were told 5 months - in the end it only took three. We fitted window locks to our front windows on the advice of our FAO but have a very non-barky dog and no floodlights. We keep our cartridges out of sight under a bed, but don't have them locked away - we buy by the 1000 and don't have much in the way of storage space Whereabouts in Kent are you? We have different FAOs. Hels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whybrow Posted January 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 I live in Ashford...covered by Mr Tony Rowlinson? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmyb79 Posted January 28, 2014 Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 I'm just outside Ashford and Tony Rowlinson did my last renewal. He's never accepted a cuppa or biscuit from me. He's reasonably fair and will most likely be in and out in a short time. Sure you'll be fine mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEshooter Posted January 28, 2014 Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 My pal got his through a couple of weeks ago in kent. Start to finish around 4 months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jfletch88 Posted January 28, 2014 Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 I'm near Longfield and I applied for a new licence around the 12th November. Got the licence through on the 10th of this month. I phoned them about a month into the application and they told me the same thing about the 5 month wait. May have just been lucky! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whybrow Posted February 4, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 4, 2014 Hi everyone, I have an update, I have had my inspection today. I was told that my background checks were ok, gun cabinet was secure and located ok, that the property is secure. The Q & A wasn't too difficult and the FEO didn't want tea/coffee or biscuits Jimmyb79! The certificate was described to me and overall it was not that daunting. How long do you think it will be before cert arrives? I want to start buying! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dominicrobed Posted February 4, 2014 Report Share Posted February 4, 2014 Well done !! But expect a long long wait then you won't be disappointed ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whybrow Posted March 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2014 Still waiting and have been told four week delay due to backlog, yet BASC Firearms Team stated that's nonsense and they are lying, they just haven't cleared yet. Apparently, according to BASC, they all lie....and dont believe in customer service, I wasn't expecting that from BASC, and wished I had noted his name. I thought it was a little counter productive and now am left wondering if I am being lied to with regards to backlog of renewals? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
belly47 Posted March 1, 2014 Report Share Posted March 1, 2014 some people may disagree with my advice but here goes anyway keep ringing them chasing them up, I did exactly that last summer waiting for my FAC to come through, I was getting fed up with hearing different reasons for the delay so I made a pest of myself and my FEO actually drove out and met me at work with it. my FEO is Bob Bruce and he is a good guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmyb79 Posted March 1, 2014 Report Share Posted March 1, 2014 Bob Bruce is a top fella, very helpful. A mate of mine gave it a reasonable 10 weeks then started calling them as he was being invited on pre-booked shoots and needed to know if he'd have the SGC back in time. He got it quicker by offering to collect from police HQ in Maidstone in the end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dominicrobed Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 When I first applied for mine I was told a 6 week delay then after 6 weeks I spoke to them and again another 6 weeks delay. Rang every week after that until it was delivered 16 weeks in total. Hope you don't have to wait that long !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whybrow Posted March 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 I will call again tomorrow and offer to collect from HQ. I cant understand why its difficult to sign off, perhaps its much more complicated than my vision which is someone sitting at a desk and printing and signing certs (?) I have someone holding a Winchester Select Energy sporting for me at a good price and I fear he wont hold much longer before selling on as he wants to make a purchase and I dont want to hand a stranger cash and wait. I just wish the service would work in my favour for once. I have been told 2 wks ago, that the renewals are all in folders and that the grants are slipped in with these batches. They have no idea where my application is with regards to batch folder and it will be done when it is done. They have not started on this years yet and we are in March. Is this normal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dominicrobed Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 Kent are really slow ! Full of excuses I bet you have a good few weeks to wait still. But on the up side when it is delivered it's such an amazing feeling can't best it ! I would ring them and get them going ! With my wife I told them that she has an important shoot coming up so needs it ASAP and they sent it with in the week ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
belly47 Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 make yourself a nuisance by keep calling them alternatively get a friend to buy the gun on their license and then transfer to yours when it arrives I would help you out on this if you wanted. I know I am a stranger too but its just another option for you to save missing out on it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewartward Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 I live in Ashford Kent and applied sent off for my SGC on 07/01/14 had my home visit from Mr Rowlinson on the 31/01/14 and my cert arrived on the 27/02/14. 54 days from start to finish so not too bad compared to some of the horror stories I've heard on this site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whybrow Posted March 4, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2014 I spoke with the firearms team yesterday and my file is now the 4th one down in the current pile on the desk ready to be signed off. The lady signing off was not in yesterday and is back in today. I was told if I have not received certificate in two weeks then I should call back. I feel that I have taken a positive step forward in gaining an answer, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whybrow Posted March 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2014 Spoke to KFLD and they have assured me that I will be issued with licence next week. They have asked if I want to collect as I previously mentioned it and will call me on my mobile so I can collect it from Maidstone.... Fingers crossed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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