ad22 Posted December 29, 2016 Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 Hi all, My current situation is that I am thinking about applying for my shotgun licence again. I have had some issues in the past that make me worry a bit. I am an ex gamekeeper and about 4 years ago I surrendered my licence as I had developed an addiction to a variety of substances. I went to residential treatment for 6 months and have remained clean and sober since. I now run a detox facility and help other people get their lives back on track. I am a country lad and really miss shooting, I have no criminal convictions but am fully aware that my past issues won't be looked on favourably when applying for a licence. I was wondering if anybody had any experience in a circumstance like this and wether it's worth putting in an application yet? Any help is greatly appreciated. AD 😃 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washerboy Posted December 29, 2016 Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 Surely if you didn't break the law to feed any addiction then there wouldn't be a problem ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zapp Posted December 29, 2016 Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 Firstly well done on turning your situation around. I think the best thing you could do would be to speak to your local firearms department. They will be able to advise better than we are on here are likely to be able to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted December 29, 2016 Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 Firstly well done on turning your situation around. I think the best thing you could do would be to speak to your local firearms department. They will be able to advise better than we are on here are likely to be able to. As above. Good on you for getting 'back on track'. I know a few people who have shotgun and firearm certificates, and they have been in all sorts of bother, including custodial sentences. Explain everything to your local FEO or department, and take it from there. Good Luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted December 29, 2016 Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 Good for you. You may well have no criminal convictions but your medical history may include various conditions you may be required to declare, so my advice would be to just be blatantly open and honest with your licensing authority. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalahari Posted December 29, 2016 Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 A word with BASC or one of the other organisations (it might involve joining I guess) might be worthwhile. David. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wb123 Posted December 29, 2016 Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 (edited) I would be completely open and honest with your firearms dept. I would also wager the sticking point may be if the firearms lot want a medical report specific to the addiction, no sane GP will want to comment here and no sane addiction specialist will either without a very large incentive indeed. Historically the risk in giving you a ticket would be born by the licensing office, the new rules give them a chance to try and punt the risk onto your doctors who would quite sensibly say they don't want to be involved. Talk to BASC ahead of applying, tee up some excellent references, and prepare for a potential probing. I'd hope it would be possible to get your certificate but you may find nobody wants to be the one who will get pointed at as being 'responsible'. My background is the medical side, I would suggest talking to a friendly FEO informally. My local RFD for instance have one who is almost a permanent fixture at weekends who is most approachable, you may find you can talk informally with your local one pre-application. The best of luck and well done for staying on the straight and narrow. Edited December 29, 2016 by Wb123 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ad22 Posted December 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 Ok that's great thanks for the help guys, I work closely (at work in the detox) with mental health nurses, a physciatrist and a social workerso hopefully some references from them will help my case, I have known them all for a number of years and the nurse that did my detox I now work along side with. My dad is due to have the FEO come out and visit him soon as he has moved house so maybe I will make sure that I am over at my dads when he comes by to have an informal chat with him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyska Posted December 29, 2016 Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 How did you come to run a detox centre after being a gamekeeper? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keg Posted December 29, 2016 Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 Firstly well done on turning your situation around. I think the best thing you could do would be to speak to your local firearms department. They will be able to advise better than we are on here are likely to be able to. Agreed and well done for getting through everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ad22 Posted December 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 How did you come to run a detox centre after being a gamekeeper? I went to a residential treatment centre for 6 months and became involved in the recovery community, came home and went and lived in a dry house for sometime andI did some volunteering in the field and did my NVQ in health and social care, got a job as a support worker and now I run a project. Quite a change in work but I love the work I do and work with people from all walks of life from landed gentry to people who have been homeless, addiction certainly doesn't discriminate. I would like to incorporate a traditional treatment centre with one that incorporates learning country skills in tthe future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted December 29, 2016 Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 good for you getting back on track, go for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deadeye18 Posted December 29, 2016 Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 Well done ad22! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aga man Posted December 29, 2016 Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 (edited) As said keep everything in your application completely truthful. A good relationship with your GP is essential to this application also as the Firearms team will no doubt be very interested in there input, so make sure everything is in order there. Well done, it sounds like you have been down a rocky road. Good luck. Edited December 29, 2016 by aga man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davyo Posted December 29, 2016 Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 (edited) Well done mate,regarding the medical condition,you proved you can take resposible action as in the past you surrendered your licence. This shows you were in control and i would speak with your FEO and explain that 'if' the situation arose again you can again face your responsibility to come forward.This is the whole excuse why Durham pushed the medical form as they claimed unlike yourself others where allegidley hiding their illnesses. I think your a brave man for accepting you had an illness but what was more impessive is that you surrendered your licence at the time because you knew you had a resonsability to.Speak with your FEO,you may be surprised. Edited December 29, 2016 by Davyo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil w Posted December 29, 2016 Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 How long ago, did you do you're 6 month,detoxification treatment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ad22 Posted December 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 How long ago, did you do you're 6 month,detoxification treatment. 3 years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted December 30, 2016 Report Share Posted December 30, 2016 I know it's easy for me to say 'I wouldn't worry too much about it' , but I wouldn't worry too much about it. You have managed to completely turn your life around to get it back on track, for which you have my sincere respect; addiction is a terrible thing. It's entirely up to you whether you join a shooting organisation, but in these circumstances they can do very little ( if anything ) more than you. Just declare anything relevant in your application, and where it states 'do you CURRENTLY suffer' whatever, then unless you do 'currently' suffer anything, then write 'no'. I have a medical history, but that's what it is, history; it is in the past and not current. You can write all the explanations you think are relevant on a separate sheet if you feel the need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ollieollie Posted December 30, 2016 Report Share Posted December 30, 2016 I hope it works out for you, sounds like you worked hard to turn things around and you should be judged as you are now. Keep us posted and good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ad22 Posted December 30, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2016 Thank you for the kind words of support and encouragement guys, means a lot and I will pursue this as a result. Many thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simjakcal Posted December 30, 2016 Report Share Posted December 30, 2016 Well done m8 I carnt say no more than everyone else has with regards your application.....Best of luck to you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougall Posted December 30, 2016 Report Share Posted December 30, 2016 good luck to you ans well done on the turnaround.in your situation I think I would go and discuss with my GP as no doubt the FEO will do the same.all best to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nagantino Posted December 30, 2016 Report Share Posted December 30, 2016 I wouldn't worry. Make your application and follow it thro. I doubt Firearms want to here other than a serious criminal record. Hey we could all fess up but why should you? Ask yourself .."..Are you a law abiding citizen" if yes proceeed like everyone else here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gozzy Posted December 30, 2016 Report Share Posted December 30, 2016 Well done ad22 👍🏻 And hope you go on to help many more . My advice is if you don't ask you don't get , be open and honest and best of luck , let us all know how you get on with your application. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted December 30, 2016 Report Share Posted December 30, 2016 The Police are already aware of the reason for surrendering the original licence, so ignoring the issue seems to be a non-starter. I doubt Firearms want to here other than a serious criminal record. Hey we could all fess up but why should you? The quoted advice should be ignored. If the OP expects to be treated honestly and fairly, he should treat the FEO in the same manner. I wish the OP well in his application and admire anyone who has turned their life around, from being addicted to helping others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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