Applying for FAC

[parislondonparis]

I will soon be applying for my FAC and SGC and have a few questions (that are probably asked by others before me, but anyway here it goes):

 

• Do I need to buy a gun safe before I know whether I will get the certificate?
  
• Does a speeding ticket mean I have been "convicted of an offence"? (I don't think it would be reason enough not to grant the certificate, but I don't want to omit it either if they want me to write it down)
  
• How specific does the "reason" need to be. I assume "hunting" alone would not suffice. Do I need to book a few stalks to show that I will be using it for hunting? Do I need to specify what animals I may want to hunt? As a beginner, I don't have permission to stalk or shoot on a particular piece of land. I am taking shotgun lessons on a clay pigeon shoot and I am taking the Deer Stalking Certificate course soon, but that isn't exactly reason enough to own a fire arm, I would think.
  

 

Many thanks for your help!

 

Vincent

[roadkill]

I will soon be applying for my FAC and SGC and have a few questions (that are probably asked by others before me, but anyway here it goes):

 

• Do I need to buy a gun safe before I know whether I will get the certificate?
  
• Does a speeding ticket mean I have been "convicted of an offence"? (I don't think it would be reason enough not to grant the certificate, but I don't want to omit it either if they want me to write it down)
  
• How specific does the "reason" need to be. I assume "hunting" alone would not suffice. Do I need to book a few stalks to show that I will be using it for hunting? Do I need to specify what animals I may want to hunt? As a beginner, I don't have permission to stalk or shoot on a particular piece of land. I am taking shotgun lessons on a clay pigeon shoot and I am taking the Deer Stalking Certificate course soon, but that isn't exactly reason enough to own a fire arm, I would think.
  

 

Many thanks for your help!

 

Vincent

 

you dont need to buy a gun safe untill after the visit , the feo will just have to come back again to check it

 

you will have to write down that you have had a speeding ticket

 

for a sgc just say for clay pigeon and the odd bit of vermin control ( you dont need to proof of any land )

 

as for getting a FAC for paid deer stalking it can be done , get the dsc1 first do a couple of stalks with an estate rifle and you may also need to book some future stalks and have a written recipt of the estate and this will get you a FAC

[parislondonparis]

Thank you,

 

Do you think I should be a member of a clay pigeon shooting club or can I go on a pay-as-you-go basis?

 

Cheers,

 

Vincent

[Breastman]

Hello Vincent,

 

I think as with virtually everything to do with firearms the answers to your questions depend on the Police force you're covered by. Unfortunately as you will be covered by an 'urban' Police force i would guess you will probably be treated in the most strict way possible and the advice that 'roadkill' will probably apply to you.

 

The only thing i would say differently is to ring up the firearms department and ask them whether they want your cabinet in for the initial inspection or if they're happy to make two trips. I know the FEO's up here prefer to minimise the number of trips out so they like you to have the cabinet in first time around. Providing the only negative contact you've had with the Police is the speeding ticket (and make sure you declare it because they WILL know!), i can't see any problems in getting the SGC straight away. If the FEO quizzes you about the speeding ticket make sure you express regret about it etc and if you had a legitimate reason for speeding don't be afraid of offering that as a reason behind it, but NOT an excuse!

 

For the SGC the only other prep i'd do would be to look up a nearby clay club and go along at least once before the visit, as the FEO will ask you what experience of shooting you have and you should have that as a minimum. Just say something along the lines of "I've been to <insert club name> and shot some clays, i'm probably going to become a member there". It is always a good thing to be able to name a local club as it shows you have done some research.

 

With regard to the FAC i would look into joining a club, it will be far less expensive than booking stalks and you can apply for a much wider range of firearms aswell. Once you have your FAC and you've got your DSC1 you shouldn't have any problems getting expanding ammo on your certificate (i.e. so you can go stalking etc). N.B. the only two 'good reasons' for firearms ownership in the UK are Target Shooting or Pest Control, don't put 'hunting' on your app. as a cynical FEO might take that as a lack of knowledge. Pedantic i know but the less reasons you give them to question you the better.

 

Hope your apps go well

 

Mark

Edited January 9, 2009 by Breastman

[parislondonparis]

Thanks Mark,

 

I was hoping the FAC would be easier in an urban area because the police here should be able to distinguish clearly between somebody who wants to take up shooting as a hobby/sport and somebody who is more interested in robbing the local jewellery store or joining a neighbourd gang. I may be wrong though, especially with knife and gun crime being reported on so frequently in the London area.

 

I guess I'll get the shot gun license first and follow up with the FAC in a few months.