FAC Variation (Devon & Cornwall Police)

[steve_b_wales]

https://www.sportsmanguncentre.co.uk/blog/post/devon-and-cornwall-black-friday-firearm-variation-–-expedition?fbclid=IwAR3-CXB4FGNf0mvov-8LpFwK7sjEiPZ46jTNM0W6TakAH1JRosl721KK1fI

[HantsRob]

Good advertising for them both!

[Tedward]

Where to start ?

FAC expired middle of June, eight week temporary extension issued.

Section 7 permit issued last month (valid for six months).

I now have the right to possess, but not purchase or acquire.

Delays in FAC renewal have been put down to covid and lack of staff (not blaming Putin yet), but they can find the resources to fast track variations.

Are they on a backhander from SGC ?

Discuss.

 

[Pops_Hants]

4 minutes ago, Tedward said:

Where to start ?

FAC expired middle of June, eight week temporary extension issued.

Section 7 permit issued last month (valid for six months).

I now have the right to possess, but not purchase or acquire.

Delays in FAC renewal have been put down to covid and lack of staff (not blaming Putin yet), but they can find the resources to fast track variations.

Are they on a backhander from SGC ?

Discuss.

 

I imagine there is a legitimate kickback of sorts, be that SGC sponsoring them to process quicker, providing temporary staff at their own cost to support with the admin side of it. Either way, is there a downside? SGC are supporting the force to support the community - win win as far as I can tell.

[HantsRob]

36 minutes ago, Pops_Hants said:

I imagine there is a legitimate kickback of sorts, be that SGC sponsoring them to process quicker, providing temporary staff at their own cost to support with the admin side of it. Either way, is there a downside? SGC are supporting the force to support the community - win win as far as I can tell.

That's not how policing works.

The police can accept a certain % of it's annual turnover from voluntary contributions, but it has to ensure it either isn't giving anyone favourable treatment, or perceived to give favourable treatment. For that reason I doubt SGC are doing anything but advertising for D&C for free, but I doubt there is any SGC kickback except for publishing which then gets fed over sites like this. My next comment below will clarify my thought.....

44 minutes ago, Tedward said:

Are they on a backhander from SGC ?

Discuss.

 

 

See above from me, I doubt any backhander apart from a "privilege" of posting the deal which generates views for them.

I believe that D&C are trying like many forces to be social media savvy, and be in tune with current trends. Black Friday whilst not new is still something that generates a buzz, and to promote this means it gives them some good social media buzz and also shows they are trying to adapt to trends and how to engage with their user base.

With regards to the actual offer, it is only for those 7 days, and of course only for variations during that time. My point? Unless the gun shops are doing anything special with prices, and unless you are swapping or asking for a new gun, then the offer is useless. It isn't going to attract new buyers for most of the market, and if it only increases their normal churn by 20 across their force area, then the manpower is minimal yet the social interraction could be huge.

It's akin to my force area offering fast track SGC renewal, but only if my renewal lands in that 7 day period. So by and large the offer is mostly useless unless you by chance are looking for a variation in that county force right now, and that's there waiting.

 

Definitely no kickback, they would get in trouble with their PCC and this would have had to go through senior echelons to be signed off as legit, legal, proportionate, without carrying favour to end user or business.

[Tedward]

Thanks for that explanation Rob.

So safe to assume that their limited resources are not being diverted for click bait propaganda purposes then, and the woeful service (or lack thereof) in C&D will continue, and this is just a form of virtue signalling.

cheers, Tedward.

[Pops_Hants]

1 hour ago, HantsRob said:

That's not how policing works.

The police can accept a certain % of it's annual turnover from voluntary contributions, but it has to ensure it either isn't giving anyone favourable treatment, or perceived to give favourable treatment. For that reason I doubt SGC are doing anything but advertising for D&C for free, but I doubt there is any SGC kickback except for publishing which then gets fed over sites like this. My next comment below will clarify my thought.....

 

Good to know, I typed a response a bit hastily but rather than kickback I more meant support. I suppose in hindsight, a firearms dealer supporting the police, legitimate or otherwise, it could be seen as favouritism and then that leads down a nasty rabbit hole. It's a shame in one way, as genuine support I'm sure would be welcomed by many (not all), the sad truth is that it is open to abuse and therefore can never start.

 

[wymberley]

Typical, just typical. I posted off mine for FAC air as normal yesterday!

[Pops_Hants]

Well this is a shame,

 

 

 

[HantsRob]

So more info there, SGC were happy to give their property out for free to the Police to help their visitors, and anyone else to fast track. Someone will have complained saying that it carried favour for free usage of an office, maybe?

I saw this coming but had hoped that people would just embrace. Maybe a rival company? Maybe a senior saw it and thought it could be seen negatively?

I will state that I am disappointed that this could have been an excellent community engagement, and a great chance to sort out a load of variations face to face on the spot. In addition, I am glad the police will still attend to allow anyone with queries to ask them face to face!