Firearms certificate question

[Fal]

Hello all!

 

I am thinking of applying for my firearms certificate, I only really want to ever shoot deer, i'm not bothered about foxes etc

 

I have heard and read a lot of differing advice, so, before I call BASC can I ask you guy and girls a few things...

 

1. Do I HAVE to have land to own a firearm.

2. Can I just own a rifle to go stalking on ground I may pay to go out on.

3. Will I have to do a DSC if number two is a yes.

4. Can I put in for a .243 straight off, or will have have to get something like a .22 or similar first.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Rhodri

[robbiep]

1. Yes. You must have permission to shoot on land. A copy of your permission letter, and contact details for the landowner, should be enclosed with your application.

 

2. You need to show 'good reason' to possess. This CAN take the form of a deerstalking booking (also copy to go with application). But you can't just get the gun because you might, at some point in the future, go deerstalking.

 

3. Some forces like DSC, some insist, some aren't that bothered. Personally, I think it's a good thing to do.

 

4. See the answers to 1 and 2

 

Oh. You can get FAC if a member of a shooting club. (but target condition only, and no expanding ammo). Membership must not lapse, or they inform police, and you lose 'good reasom'.

[Luckyshot]

Hello all!

 

I am thinking of applying for my firearms certificate, I only really want to ever shoot deer, i'm not bothered about foxes etc

 

I have heard and read a lot of differing advice, so, before I call BASC can I ask you guy and girls a few things...

 

1. Do I HAVE to have land to own a firearm.

No (paid stalking is classed as good reason to own)

2. Can I just own a rifle to go stalking on ground I may pay to go out on.

Yes (you will need a booking receipt in order to apply for your fac)

3. Will I have to do a DSC if number two is a yes.

NO but your issuing force may and can insist on it

4. Can I put in for a .243 straight off, or will have have to get something like a .22 or similar first.

Yes a 22 or similar is no good if you are only interested in shooting deer.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Rhodri

 

 

Assuming your laws are the same as ours.

Edited May 8, 2014 by Luckyshot

[Breastman]

If you've never owned your own rifle(s) before i would be surprised if you would get an FAC for paid stalks only. The first thing any FEO worth his salt would ask is "Why don't you just use the estate rifle?" Not sure how i'd answer that if all i was using the gun for was paid stalks

 

Even if you did manage to get it, how would you zero/rezero your rifle without your own land or being a member of a target club? I've only shot over one estate before, but i was told in no uncertain terms that if my rifle wasn't zeroed i wouldn't be pointing it any deer, and as you normally head out for a stalk before sunrise there wouldn't be an opportunity to sight in even if the estate would let you do it there (letting a single shot off is going to scare off everything within a mile away, let alone the number of rounds you might need to sight zero). I suppose you could book a day before the stalk to sight in your rifle but that could get bloody expensive!

 

So;

 

1/ No, but if you don't have land to shoot over or are member of a target club you're going to make things difficult for yourself.

2/ Possibly but you're likely going to have to book at least 3 stalks in advance of getting your FAC, and then 3-4 per year after that.

3/ I would say without question yes, unless you have previous personal firearms experience

4/ .22 rifles (and i assume you mean rimfire, rather than centrefire) are not suitable, or legal to use for deer, however i suspect you meant would you have to start off shooting with a .22lr then work your way up to a centrefire. If that is the case, unless you have some land or become a member of a club you won't have anywhere to shoot the .22lr so you'd have to just apply for the .243 straight away and go for an 'all or nothing' application.

 

Just my opinion. BASC's advice is the best way to go though. Best of luck

[neillfrbs]

you don't need land to have a deer calibre rifle ,I now a guy who has none and just goes on paid stalks.

[Dekers]

Hello all!

 

I am thinking of applying for my firearms certificate, I only really want to ever shoot deer, i'm not bothered about foxes etc

 

I have heard and read a lot of differing advice, so, before I call BASC can I ask you guy and girls a few things...

 

1. Do I HAVE to have land to own a firearm. No

2. Can I just own a rifle to go stalking on ground I may pay to go out on. Yes

3. Will I have to do a DSC if number two is a yes. No

4. Can I put in for a .243 straight off, or will have have to get something like a .22 or similar first. Yes to .243, No to the .22 bit

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Rhodri

 

That is the answer.

 

The reality may be somewhat different!

Edited May 9, 2014 by Dekers

[Fal]

Thanks for your input gents! Much appreciated! It seems that it varies a lot from police force to police force!

 

It sounds like I am going to struggle to get what I want without land etc

 

I will give BASC a call and see what they say, I may even give the licensing dept a ring and see what they say before I apply.

[CharlieT]

Thanks for your input gents! Much appreciated! It seems that it varies a lot from police force to police force!

 

It sounds like I am going to struggle to get what I want without land etc

 

I will give BASC a call and see what they say, I may even give the licensing dept a ring and see what they say before I apply.

 

Not necessarily.

 

Each and every applicant is treated on their own merits. Just because one applicant may be knocked back for a first time grant of a fullbore does not mean that another will.

 

However, to be granted a rifle for "paid stalking" you will be required to demonstrate your commitment to the sport and not just using paid stalking as an excuse to own a rifle just because you fancy one.

 

I would expect you to demonstrate proof of having been on a number of paid stalks using an estate rifle, together with confirmed bookings of future stalking.

[Jody]

Its very easy to get if you have good reason. When I got my FAC I had no land to shoot on (I was just going to pay for stalking) I did not have any stalks booked but had done one stalk before. I didn't have my DSC but have since got it and got a .270 strait away no trouble at all. I went with the .270 because I wanted the chance to shoot boar and Red in the highlands (some don't like .243 up there)

[kent]

There is no problem In law and .22 first is something you might not even have good reason to own. You don't need to join a club. Speak to BASC firearms dept. then stick to your guns so to speak. If you already own shotguns it is not classed as experience but its hard to say your unfit to keep such things.

Feo and licencing managers can come up with some real rubbish so don't give them an angle to get hold of. Gun for stalking .243 is minimum by law, booking in place, previous stalk with estate rifle (good idea not essential), security in place (remember ammo separate). Jobs a good un put the application in

[Scully]

I know someone who has no land to shoot over, and believing he would be turned down took DSC1 and showed both his qualification and a booked stalk as proof of intent and now has his own .308. He still only shoots via paid stalks as far as I know.

[scobydog]

I got fac with 270 and 243 on it, it was allowed for paid stalks no mention of dsc or own land, feo did not mention estate rifle, also got 22 hornet at the same time for fox and vermin, that was with GMP who are very good at sorting these things.

 

S

[Luckyshot]

I got fac with 270 and 243 on it, it was allowed for paid stalks no mention of dsc or own land, feo did not mention estate rifle, also got 22 hornet at the same time for fox and vermin, that was with GMP who are very good at sorting these things.

 

S

The deer cals I can understand but how a rifle for fox vermin, what was your good reason for grant.

[kent]

The deer cals I can understand but how a rifle for fox vermin, what was your good reason for grant.

 

I think personally from past instances with mates that way that GMP have a history of knowing were the real gun issue lies and largely being ignorant of all the other stuff. When guys have Makarov auto pistols hand grenades and the like that were never legally held here it focuses the mind some I recon

[shootgun]

''To acquire or possess firearms or ammunition under Section 1 of the Firearms Act 1968, you have to provide evidence that you have a good reason to do so. This applies to the grant, renewal or variation of a firearm certificate. This evidence can take several forms: permission to shoot over land or membership of a target shooting club, or a booking or invitation to go deer stalking are examples, but these are not exhaustive''

 

Form 201A from Metropolitan Police....

[CharlieT]

''To acquire or possess firearms or ammunition under Section 1 of the Firearms Act 1968, you have to provide evidence that you have a good reason to do so. This applies to the grant, renewal or variation of a firearm certificate. This evidence can take several forms: permission to shoot over land or membership of a target shooting club, or a booking or invitation to go deer stalking are examples, but these are not exhaustive''

 

Form 201A from Metropolitan Police....

 

Or even this.................

 

13.10 The land need not be owned or rented by the applicant, nor need they have regular or

automatic access to it. Farmers and landowners may allow shooters to shoot on their land,

for payment or otherwise, on a formal or informal basis. An applicant need not always

nominate a piece of land as evidence of “good reason”, but in such cases the applicant

may be required, where possible, to provide written evidence, for example from a relevant

organisation, a professional pest controller, gamekeeper or of a booking to shoot.

............from the Home Office guidance.

[spanj]

 

Not necessarily.

 

Each and every applicant is treated on their own merits. Just because one applicant may be knocked back for a first time grant of a fullbore does not mean that another will.

 

However, to be granted a rifle for "paid stalking" you will be required to demonstrate your commitment to the sport and not just using paid stalking as an excuse to own a rifle just because you fancy one.

 

I would expect you to demonstrate proof of having been on a number of paid stalks using an estate rifle, together with confirmed bookings of future stalking.

Are you a FLO / FEO ?

[CharlieT]

Are you a FLO / FEO ?

 

Most certainly not.

 

I only speak from my experience having assisted many clients, from across the whole country, who have, over the years, booked stalking with me, and then graduated to applying for their own rifle solely for "paid stalking" which some only use 2 or 3 times a year.

 

In many of these instances I have spoken with their FEO/FLM who have sought confirmation of the applicant's commitment/good reason.

 

I made my observations in the hope that the OP would take them on board, thus ensuring his application went through successfully with the minimum of fuss. Get the groundwork right and there will be no if's and but's.

[scobydog]

The deer cals I can understand but how a rifle for fox vermin, what was your good reason for grant.

Hi Luckyshot, just asked for it and they said yes, the feo is helpfully a deerstalker himself. I do now have my land to use all the rifles on, deer, vermin and fox.

 

 

S