aidan95 Posted April 20 Report Share Posted April 20 I'm thinking of taking up clay shooting as a hobby. I've been a couple of times and want to go more often, but it's fairly expensive to go as a "lesson" and some of the local ranges only allow practice sessions if you have your own gun. I understand to pass the sgc application you need to be considered mentally sound and not of a violent nature (among other things obviously) but my worry is, I have a history of depression up til a few years ago, and I was charged with assault 6 years ago. I'd like to think I'm a completely different person now, but I'm not sure whether the police will see it like that. What are my chances (if any) of being accepted if I were to apply later this year? TIA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weihrauch17 Posted April 20 Report Share Posted April 20 40 minutes ago, aidan95 said: I'm thinking of taking up clay shooting as a hobby. I've been a couple of times and want to go more often, but it's fairly expensive to go as a "lesson" and some of the local ranges only allow practice sessions if you have your own gun. I understand to pass the sgc application you need to be considered mentally sound and not of a violent nature (among other things obviously) but my worry is, I have a history of depression up til a few years ago, and I was charged with assault 6 years ago. I'd like to think I'm a completely different person now, but I'm not sure whether the police will see it like that. What are my chances (if any) of being accepted if I were to apply later this year? TIA I would ring your FEO and sound them out. Just having a go is now expensive with the required Medical Certificate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old'un Posted April 20 Report Share Posted April 20 First off, welcome to PW I am no expert on such things but I would imagine the depression is not such an issue, there are plenty of people who have been successful with their application suffering with such illness. The charge of assault is another question as it covers a wide area, it all depends on how serious the assault was and how the police will view it in regards you having a firearm, I would suggest you put together a well written letter and if possible a letter from your doctor and a couple of character references and see what they say before applying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweet11-87 Posted April 20 Report Share Posted April 20 (edited) unfortunately its not an easy question to answer as you have allot of factors. 1. you need to assess your own state and be honest with yourself (dont share on here as its a personal thing) how severe your depression is/was, what were the causes and if they still have an impact if your depression had/has a cause at all. is/was medication involved. 2. the nature of your charge. again dont share on here, was it a dynamic drunken out of character teenage even, or was this a pre meditated event in adult life or somewhere inbetween?. and as others have said above a honest straight forward conversation with your FAO not only allows you to sound them out, but it also shows considerable maturity, grown and awareness of the situation and can really only stand you in a better position. being completely honest about what i think your chances are and in the current climate id say 1/5 chance but honestly best of luck mate, life's hard and its everyone first go at it and the past is exactly that imo Edited April 20 by Sweet11-87 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stimo22 Posted April 20 Report Share Posted April 20 I think a lot would depend on where about you live. In Bedfordshire they are revisiting old cases and revoking certificates. We have had two clay club members who have lost certificates due to having accusations made against them during divorce proceedings. Neither was proved but that does not matter to the police. So if you are in that area I doubt that you stand much chance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old'un Posted April 20 Report Share Posted April 20 (edited) 10 minutes ago, Stimo22 said: I think a lot would depend on where about you live. In Bedfordshire they are revisiting old cases and revoking certificates. We have had two clay club members who have lost certificates due to having accusations made against them during divorce proceedings. Neither was proved but that does not matter to the police. So if you are in that area I doubt that you stand much chance Did they have their ticket’s revoked whilst the accusations were on going? Edited April 20 by old'un Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stimo22 Posted April 20 Report Share Posted April 20 23 minutes ago, old'un said: Did they have their ticket’s revoked whilst the accusations were on going? Yes but later got them back. Bedfordshire have revisited these old cases and revoked the certificate. One member even went to court but could not get it back. We also have one member in Thames Valley area who is worried that the same may happen in that area Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old'un Posted April 20 Report Share Posted April 20 1 hour ago, Stimo22 said: Yes but later got them back. Bedfordshire have revisited these old cases and revoked the certificate. One member even went to court but could not get it back. We also have one member in Thames Valley area who is worried that the same may happen in that area That situation is not really relevant to the OP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted April 20 Report Share Posted April 20 On the basic details provided, I think the OP will struggle. Anyone would need the full script to pass proper judgement, but in these cases, the full details are normally drip fed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoli 12 guage Posted April 20 Report Share Posted April 20 i will guarantee this,if he doesn't apply, he's got absolutely no chance of getting his SGC. the only thing he stands to lose is the medical fee. the actual SGC application cost will be refunded if he fails. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stimo22 Posted April 20 Report Share Posted April 20 16 minutes ago, Gordon R said: On the basic details provided, I think the OP will struggle. Anyone would need the full script to pass proper judgement, but in these cases, the full details are normally drip fed. I was pointing out that if he is in an area like Bedfordshire and he has a conviction for assault then he is unlikely to get a certificate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aidan95 Posted April 20 Author Report Share Posted April 20 Thank you all you've been very helpful. I didn't realise the money for the sgc application was refunded if rejected so that's a bit of a relief, I was worried I'd waste £80 just to be told no. I won't be applying until at least a few months down the line due to funding, but once I do get round to it I'll update. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weihrauch17 Posted April 20 Report Share Posted April 20 14 minutes ago, aidan95 said: Thank you all you've been very helpful. I didn't realise the money for the sgc application was refunded if rejected so that's a bit of a relief, I was worried I'd waste £80 just to be told no. I won't be applying until at least a few months down the line due to funding, but once I do get round to it I'll update. The money for your Medical Cert won't be refunded, ring your FEO before you waste your money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aidan95 Posted April 20 Author Report Share Posted April 20 How much am I looking to spend in total roughly? I'm hampshire based if that helps, I know the SGC application fee is £79.50, how much is the medical certificate? I've heard GPs can charge varying rates to fill out the medical side of it aswell. Also if it does get rejected will they tell me what it was rejected for? And how long would I have to wait to apply again? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted April 20 Report Share Posted April 20 I don't think you would get the specific detail for a refusal. I suspect you would be informed that you had been refused. At best, you might be told that theChief Constable felt unable to authorise a certificate, based on the information you and your GP provided. Save yourself a lot time, worry, money and speak to your FEO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aidan95 Posted April 21 Author Report Share Posted April 21 9 hours ago, Gordon R said: I don't think you would get the specific detail for a refusal. I suspect you would be informed that you had been refused. At best, you might be told that theChief Constable felt unable to authorise a certificate, based on the information you and your GP provided. Save yourself a lot time, worry, money and speak to your FEO. Would they not even say "refused on medical/criminal grounds?" I suppose the only way I'll know for sure is to apply obviously, just trying to get as much info as possible beforehand. Also, when I apply I know I'll need a gun safe to keep it in if it is accepted. If I buy the safe but don't bolt it to the wall (so I can sell if it's rejected) would that help the case at all? Or would it need to be fully installed for them to consider it? Just trying to get as many angles covered as I can. TIA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted April 21 Report Share Posted April 21 You appear to be avoiding asking the only people who can answer you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aidan95 Posted April 21 Author Report Share Posted April 21 I've requested a meeting or call with the FAO and just waiting on a reply to organise it, just asking here aswell so I've got as much of an insight as I can first Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweet11-87 Posted April 21 Report Share Posted April 21 application is around £80, medical can be anywhere from free to £150 and safes that will pass inspection for as little as £200 off ebay. So if all goes well its a ticket in your hand for roughly £300-£500 quid. 1000 cartridges is about £300 and climbing and 1000 clays is about the same and also going up. its not a cheap hobby to get into Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Best Posted April 21 Report Share Posted April 21 19 minutes ago, Sweet11-87 said: application is around £80, medical can be anywhere from free to £150 and safes that will pass inspection for as little as £200 off ebay. So if all goes well its a ticket in your hand for roughly £300-£500 quid. 1000 cartridges is about £300 and climbing and 1000 clays is about the same and also going up. its not a cheap hobby to get into Come on! Of course it is. I recently learned hat a season ticket for a local football stadium can be over £800. No comparison. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted April 21 Report Share Posted April 21 We frequently do not get the full story. Although the 'assault' word remains your biggest problem and because of its nature will over-ride your other problem of 3 months which may or may not be applicable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweet11-87 Posted April 21 Report Share Posted April 21 1 hour ago, London Best said: Come on! Of course it is. I recently learned hat a season ticket for a local football stadium can be over £800. No comparison. if you could make my clay shooting cost £800 from august to may id pay you for it now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Best Posted April 21 Report Share Posted April 21 (edited) 1 hour ago, Sweet11-87 said: if you could make my clay shooting cost £800 from august to may id pay you for it now Yeah, but the season ticket to watch football is a waste of money. Thinking about it, I am sure I haven’t spent anywhere near that much on clay shooting in the last sixty plus years! Please can you make my next season’s game shooting cost just £800 instead of £800/day? Edited April 21 by London Best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aidan95 Posted April 21 Author Report Share Posted April 21 4 hours ago, Sweet11-87 said: application is around £80, medical can be anywhere from free to £150 and safes that will pass inspection for as little as £200 off ebay. So if all goes well its a ticket in your hand for roughly £300-£500 quid. 1000 cartridges is about £300 and climbing and 1000 clays is about the same and also going up. its not a cheap hobby to get into I'm not too worries about clay/cartridge cost as I can only use ones purchased at the range while there. As for the assault charge there was no sentance or court appearance, just a surcharge and 12 month probation period (as in just stay out of trouble for a year, not 12 months with a PO) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweet11-87 Posted April 21 Report Share Posted April 21 1 hour ago, London Best said: Yeah, but the season ticket to watch football is a waste of money. Thinking about it, I am sure I haven’t spent anywhere near that much on clay shooting in the last sixty plus years! Please can you make my next season’s game shooting cost just £800 instead of £800/day? just so irrelevant to the thread. back on topic one way you may find out more information is to contact basc. i dont know if theyll give you time of day if youre a none member but they can be contacted still and may give you better guidance than you might find on here. https://basc.org.uk/firearms-licensing/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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