Variation for first Centre fire procedure

[Dave-G]

Early January I applied for my first C/F (17REM) and included five permissions I have in Cornwall that have been cleared for .22~.223 C/F. My issuing area (Leicester) spoke to the owners of those locations several weeks ago to confirm permission has been given. I also asked for five local locations new to me to be cleared, and have my base permission revisited which has been done and explicit locations have been agreed there.

 

I'm confused about why, having confirmed I have at least five locations to use the caliber - therefore satisfying "good reason", I have not had my ticket returned to me with permission to acquire the caliber. When I queried if it had got lost in the post I was told the FEO who checks land in that area was due some leave - as if that explained it all. A subsequent enquiry got me a reply that he was on leave.

 

I'm really confused and reluctant to ask them to explain why they are retaining my ticket, but I'm virtually out of HMR ammo and the guy I'm buying my gun off won't wait forever. If it takes much longer I'm going to need to use currently held .22lr ammo where HMR would be more prudent.

 

Is there some sort of FEO chat or other procedure that needs doing before my ticket can be released?

[radio1ham]

well i never had a visit from feo

all i done was send in the forms and letters from land owners stating that i had their permission to use calibers up to .243 for fox and deer control

and got mine back within a few days

then went out and bought the .243

a dare say you wont be the only one waiting for their fac

Edited March 15, 2009 by radio1ham

[Baldrick]

My FEO visits every time I do a variation. I've never actually asked whether that is policy, but as I know my FEO quite well (he does the deer management on an estate I manage), it's hardly a chore.

Edited March 15, 2009 by Baldrick

[Dave-G]

Thanks chaps. Looks like I need to press for a more complete explanation of why they're retaining my ticket - and ask for a temporary one or get my existing one returned to acquire more ammo.

[Lloyd90]

Hmm strange I put in my variation telling them I sold my 22lr and want to replace it with a 243 and had it back after 6 days :blink: Had a mentor though

[Dave-G]

Well this might be an eye opener for any members switching calibers.

 

Had I applied for the variation with only the land in Cornwall that had been currently cleared the process would have been completed long ago.

 

However as I naively requested more local land checks to further prove/support the caliber change it seems they need to be cleared prior to the caliber being granted. It might be useful for anyone applying for a variation to have this in mind prior to making their request. In short - if you have ANY permision that is cleared, send in the application but don't ask for further land checks until you have your ticket back to enable the acquisition.

 

The clearing FEO has my ticket in readiness for when he has time to make the checks but the girl in the office will retrieve it tomorrow and send it back by second class post to enable me to acquire more rimfire ammo. I could probably wait a week or so longer but I'm expecting to shoot out of the county soon and would rather not travel without my certificate when I have a rifle with me. She said I only need to tell any officer who stops me that my ticket is in for variation but real life experience suggests I would be "contained" for further checks to be made.