Tucks64 Posted May 29 Report Share Posted May 29 Hello all, I've been considering putting in for an SGC for about 4 years now, but keep being put off by the fact I have a spent conviction for assault which was in a domestic setting so I suspect is counted as domestic violence, long story short my sister was being bashed about by her ex one night, I threw a punch and the police were called, my sister at the time was too scared to tell the police what was happening and was coerced into testifying against me in court. I received 300 hours unpaid work, a fine and 12 months probation. My probation officer took one look at me on my first visit and told me I don't belong there, after about 4-5 months of probation visits he applied to the courts to have the rest of my sentence removed and that was that. That was 16 years ago. Before and after then I'd had a few mental health issues, suicidal thoughts and anxiety, this led to self medication with drugs which never landed me in any trouble but my doctors were made aware of by myself being candid with them. I've not been in a bad place or done any of those things now for over 10 years, but I know medical history is forever. I know this paints a very bleak picture for a SGC and I know only the police (WMP) would be able to answer difinitively, but I'm unsure if I should go through with the embarasment of all this being dragged back up in order to obtain the SGC, I have two references who have known me a long time (8 and 13 years) who are SGC holders and FAC holders, but I also dont want to drag their names through any mud, so to speak. Does anyone have any advice for me, should I just forget about the idea of obtaining a SGC and continue to pay to hire equipment at clay shoots? (expense being the main driver for me wanting to get the SGC). I have been free of mental health issues and criminal convictions for 10 years now, I've got 4 sub 12ft/lb rifles, shoot when I can at a local club, have a young family and a job at an employer that required SC, I don't even have a speeding ticket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smudger687 Posted May 29 Report Share Posted May 29 Worst that can happen is they say no. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted May 29 Report Share Posted May 29 (edited) Whilst I am pleased that you have turned your life around, I suspect your chances are slim or zero. If your friends go clay shooting, I would think your best bet would be to use one of their guns. Edited May 29 by Gordon R Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoli 12 guage Posted May 29 Report Share Posted May 29 2 minutes ago, Gordon R said: Whilst I am pleased that you have turned your life around, I suspect your chances are slim or zero. If your friends go clay shooting, I would think your best bet would be to use one of their guns. if he applies he's got a chance if he doesn't he's got ABSOLUTELY no chance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadowchaser Posted May 29 Report Share Posted May 29 If it was me I'd just apply and see what happens. All you'll lose is the fee. I think there are laws preventing (though who would police it I don't know) anyone who has spent longer than 3 months in prison for any offence from handling a legal firearm, but this doesn't count in your case. As above you could always still shoot with someone even if you don't have a licence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tucks64 Posted May 29 Author Report Share Posted May 29 (edited) 42 minutes ago, Zoli 12 guage said: if he applies he's got a chance if he doesn't he's got ABSOLUTELY no chance. Thats a good way to look at it, to be quite honest. Thanks. 29 minutes ago, Shadowchaser said: If it was me I'd just apply and see what happens. All you'll lose is the fee. I think there are laws preventing (though who would police it I don't know) anyone who has spent longer than 3 months in prison for any offence from handling a legal firearm, but this doesn't count in your case. As above you could always still shoot with someone even if you don't have a licence. Yes, so I've only ever been in trouble with the law once, that was more than enough. 46 minutes ago, Gordon R said: Whilst I am pleased that you have turned your life around, I suspect your chances are slim or zero. If your friends go clay shooting, I would think your best bet would be to use one of their guns. I suppose if all else fails I can just keep hassling them to go shooting Thanks for all the replies, I guess I can only try and find out, though if I fully expect a no and get a yes it will be a pleasant surprise. Does anyone know if a no from the police would reflect badly on my references? I highly respect both gentlemen and wouldn't want to cast any doubt on their character through my application being rejected. Edited May 29 by Tucks64 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoli 12 guage Posted May 29 Report Share Posted May 29 1 hour ago, Shadowchaser said: If it was me I'd just apply and see what happens. All you'll lose is the fee. no he won't. if he's rejected, he'll get the application fee back. he won't get the cost of his medical report back. his "referee" (you only need one for an SGC) is only offering an opinion on his suitability "at this moment in time" so there will be no adverse reactions from the licencing authority regarding his own suitability. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy H Posted May 29 Report Share Posted May 29 Myself I would just apply but get a membership in a shooting club first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bottletopbill Posted May 30 Report Share Posted May 30 You can only try tell them the truth No one likes a women beater and see what they say. ps good luck👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted May 30 Report Share Posted May 30 Tucks64. About five years ago a certain chap called Jacko posted something similar on this forum. He had several convictions for being a plonker and fighting when he was ******. He asked the same question as you. Jokingly I told him that I knew the Chief Constable of his police force and that I would approach the said Chief Constable and advise him to look out for this man's SGC application and make sure it was rejected. I also told Jacko to put in his application and contact me if he was successful. He was successful and he did contact me. He and I have since enjoyed over one hundred days pigeon shooting together and he has now inherited (by permission of the farmers) several thousand acres to shoot over as I moved from the area. I wish you the best of luck with your application and hope you can find a mentor as Jacko did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted May 30 Report Share Posted May 30 Leaving aside the assault charge:- Quote Before and after then I'd had a few mental health issues, suicidal thoughts and anxiety, this led to self medication with drugs which never landed me in any trouble but my doctors were made aware of by myself being candid with them. I've not been in a bad place or done any of those things now for over 10 years, but I know medical history is forever. I struggle to see how this would be acceptable in an SGC application. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jall25 Posted May 30 Report Share Posted May 30 I would speak with your FEO first I would speak with your FEO first AWESOME JDOG ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted May 30 Report Share Posted May 30 well done JD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoli 12 guage Posted May 30 Report Share Posted May 30 2 hours ago, Gordon R said: Leaving aside the assault charge:- I struggle to see how this would be acceptable in an SGC application. if that's the case then, there's now't stopping him from getting his medical forms done first (before he bothers his referee) and fills the rest of the paperwork out and seeing what the prognosis is beforehand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted May 30 Report Share Posted May 30 Zoli 12 gauge - I think your suggestion is probably his best option. Whilst I agree with others wishing him well, I think the combination of assault, mental health issues, anxiety, suicidal thoughts and drug abuse will ring alarm bells at the Firearms Team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Best Posted May 30 Report Share Posted May 30 2 minutes ago, Gordon R said: Zoli 12 gauge - I think your suggestion is probably his best option. Whilst I agree with others wishing him well, I think the combination of assault, mental health issues, anxiety, suicidal thoughts and drug abuse will ring alarm bells at the Firearms Team. And so they ruddy well should! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stimo22 Posted May 30 Report Share Posted May 30 It also depends on the force area that you are in. Bedfordshire is revisiting old accusations of domestic violence and removing guns and certificates from people who have had them years. We have several clay club members who have had this happen. Nearby forces have not yet started this but it may happen , so if in this area you do not stand any hope Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marsh man Posted May 30 Report Share Posted May 30 I think we have to accept it is harder than ever to get a s g c and it will continue to go the same way , the next thing we might hear about is refusals if you have got an x number of speeding tickets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mighty Prawn Posted May 30 Report Share Posted May 30 5 hours ago, marsh man said: I think we have to accept it is harder than ever to get a s g c and it will continue to go the same way , the next thing we might hear about is refusals if you have got an x number of speeding tickets I’m not sure if that last bit is tongue in cheek but I can totally understand why speeding could lead to revocation - repeat offences demonstrate at best a lack of concern for safety and at worst a disregard for the law surely? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoli 12 guage Posted May 31 Report Share Posted May 31 8 hours ago, The Mighty Prawn said: I’m not sure if that last bit is tongue in cheek but I can totally understand why speeding could lead to revocation - repeat offences demonstrate at best a lack of concern for safety and at worst a disregard for the law surely? and that's why you HAVE TO declare them on your application paperwork. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marsh man Posted May 31 Report Share Posted May 31 (edited) 14 hours ago, The Mighty Prawn said: I’m not sure if that last bit is tongue in cheek but I can totally understand why speeding could lead to revocation - repeat offences demonstrate at best a lack of concern for safety and at worst a disregard for the law surely? No it wasn't tongue in cheek , it could happen and maybe is already in force , the guidelines might be what speed you were clocked at whatever the speed limit was , maybe the odd lapse of concentration in doing 35 / 36 in a 30 mile limit might be below or well below the guidelines , but doing well over in a 50 / 60 or 70 might well be a stumbling block when your application or renewal go in the firearms office . MM Edited May 31 by marsh man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadowchaser Posted June 3 Report Share Posted June 3 On 29/05/2024 at 23:01, Zoli 12 guage said: no he won't. if he's rejected, he'll get the application fee back. he won't get the cost of his medical report back. his "referee" (you only need one for an SGC) is only offering an opinion on his suitability "at this moment in time" so there will be no adverse reactions from the licencing authority regarding his own suitability. Fair enough, I didn't realise you get the fee back as it's never come up for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoli 12 guage Posted June 3 Report Share Posted June 3 2 hours ago, Shadowchaser said: Fair enough, I didn't realise you get the fee back as it's never come up for me. 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.