fire arms officer

[rascal_2005]

hi guys got my new cabinet today and hopefullly sending my shot gun application form off very soon.

 

what i wanted to know is, what will the feo ask me? do i really need to swat up?

 

thanks

 

john boy

[Bleeh]

hi guys got my new cabinet today and hopefullly sending my shot gun application form off very soon.

 

what i wanted to know is, what will the feo ask me? do i really need to swat up?

 

thanks

 

john boy

 

 

Well, if you don't know anything a FEO could ask you, do you really think you should be shooting in the first place?

[David BASC]

Perhaps not the most useful of replies Bleeh- but probably meant in good faith? I don’t know about you but when I applied for my first SGC I was pretty green and although I knew the basics of law I had no idea what question the FEO would ask. Back in those days though there was no such thing as the internet, but if there had been I am sure I would have made a similar post to rascal.

 

Firstly do not panic, just relax. The typical questions they ask are not too daunting. They will want to check that no one in the house has a criminal record, they will want to know why you want a shotgun, they will run through the basics of the law with you, check your cabinet etc.

 

As for swatting up, if you feel the need get hold of a copy of the BASC Shotgun Safety code of practice, happy to post you one if you PM me you postal address.

 

David

[bignoel]

i never got my cabinet till i was told .but my fao was ok no awkward questions asked what shooting experiance i had ie rabbit pigeon crow threw the lot at him clays permissions i had he was fine grab your basc insurance thou .

[LEFTY478]

Well, he'll probably ask you some nice 'soft' leading questions, just to relax you... And then hit you with an unexpected fast ball, like: "where'd you burried the bodies?"

 

Don't get sucker punched, or you'll never get your ticket.

 

Hope this helps...

[rascal_2005]

cheers guys. bleeh i know what you meen, im not going to argue witth that, iv not even sent my application off yet lol :0

 

iv joined a club but what i ment was, will they ask me about chokes, bores etc? as alot of tghis goes over my head, if anyone can point out were i can get some info on this that would be great.

david you have pm. thanks

 

thanks guys

 

john boy

[al4x]

nope they won't ask you any technical questions as often they don't know the answer themselves.

 

It will be general questions about gun security, safety and where you expect to use it etc Then there may be some general ones regarding your health if anything has flagged up.

[RhiannonBW]

The only question I got asked was how long I'd been shooting, and where did I shoot. He knew my clay club, even though it's not in his area. No questions about safe distances (which I'd swotted up just in case), and certainly nothing on chokes or bores.

 

Just remember the chocolate biscuits, and when he phones to make an appointment, you could always ask whether it's worth fitting your gun safe prior to the visit to save him making two journeys.

 

Rhiannon

[Harnser]

Dont worry about it and relax .If you are a novice then tell him so we all had to start somewhere . It wont hurt to study the basc gunsafty litterature as david said and look up the game shooting seasons . Just relax and be your self your flo will not be an ogre and will understand that you are a new boy .

Best of luck ,Harnser .

 

P.S. If you are a person of good charactor and fit the criterior for ownership of a shotgun then you will get your ticket .

Harnser .

Edited April 21, 2009 by Harnser

[notsosureshot]

My interview for the SGC was longer than I expected but certainly not what I'd call taxing. I'd say it was more of a chat than an interview really.

 

I was asked questions on a range of subjects and it was really rather outside the scope of what I'd consider necessary for SGC (after research). However, rather than refuse to answer, as I believe I was entitled to, I thought it prudent to be candid. To summarise, the questions included:

 

My experience of shooting, including air weapons.

The security of my home and if it was alarmed.

General knowledge questions on gun safety.

If I had ever received any formal training.

What I did for a living including a few cursory questions on my specific profession.

The names of my closest friends and their professions.

Several questions relating to my chosen shooting discipline.

Whether I had joined or was planning to join a relevant club (he asked me to name one basically).

 

One point of note. Im not sure if it was his character or if he was testing my reaction to criticism but he phrased some questions as though he was deliberately trying to get up my nose. Strange really. Although, he was an ex copper so perhaps trying to get an idea of my personality. i.e. Had I smacked him in the chops I'd be unsuitable to have an SGC. lol

 

For each of the above he did justify why he was asking and I was satisfied that it was for the greater good I suppose.

 

It was painless overall, thinking of going for FAC at some point. The FEO's are in the public service and are very friendly at least in my experience having met a few different ones over time.

 

Hope this helps.

[LXX73]

My interview for the SGC was longer than I expected but certainly not what I'd call taxing. I'd say it was more of a chat than an interview really.

 

I was asked questions on a range of subjects and it was really rather outside the scope of what I'd consider necessary for SGC (after research). However, rather than refuse to answer, as I believe I was entitled to, I thought it prudent to be candid. To summarise, the questions included:

 

My experience of shooting, including air weapons.

The security of my home and if it was alarmed.

General knowledge questions on gun safety.

If I had ever received any formal training.

What I did for a living including a few cursory questions on my specific profession.

The names of my closest friends and their professions.

Several questions relating to my chosen shooting discipline.

Whether I had joined or was planning to join a relevant club (he asked me to name one basically).

 

One point of note. Im not sure if it was his character or if he was testing my reaction to criticism but he phrased some questions as though he was deliberately trying to get up my nose. Strange really. Although, he was an ex copper so perhaps trying to get an idea of my personality. i.e. Had I smacked him in the chops I'd be unsuitable to have an SGC. lol

 

For each of the above he did justify why he was asking and I was satisfied that it was for the greater good I suppose.

 

It was painless overall, thinking of going for FAC at some point. The FEO's are in the public service and are very friendly at least in my experience having met a few different ones over time.

 

Hope this helps.

 

 

I don't think any of the above are unreasonable questions to have been asked during the interview.

[DanRM]

nope they won't ask you any technical questions as often they don't know the answer themselves.

 

Not so much a technical thing but i remember my dad arguing with the fao when i was getting mine as he asked

 

"where do you keep the cartridges?"

 

where i replied "in their cardboard boxes in a cupboard under the stairs".

 

and he said that i should keep them in a metal container which can be locked.

 

This is where my dad replied to him saying that he is wrong as if i were to keep them in a metal container, in the case of a fire the container would become compressed and with the cartridges in it , it will then become an explosive. where as in the cardboard boxes it would just burn the powder.

 

It took the fao a while to understand fully what he meant ( and in that time i was thinking **** im not getting my SGC now)

 

All well was good untill i had to wait 8 months for it

[CZ550Kevlar]

nope they won't ask you any technical questions as often they don't know the answer themselves.

 

Not so much a technical thing but i remember my dad arguing with the fao when i was getting mine as he asked

 

"where do you keep the cartridges?"

 

where i replied "in their cardboard boxes in a cupboard under the stairs".

 

and he said that i should keep them in a metal container which can be locked.

 

This is where my dad replied to him saying that he is wrong as if i were to keep them in a metal container, in the case of a fire the container would become compressed and with the cartridges in it , it will then become an explosive. where as in the cardboard boxes it would just burn the powder.

 

It took the fao a while to understand fully what he meant ( and in that time i was thinking **** im not getting my SGC now)

 

All well was good untill i had to wait 8 months for it

 

This is a classic example of never ever try and be clever when it comes to FEO`s they know their business and are very good at it, current guidance is to lock shotgun cartridges in a metal container, this is best practice and should be followed where possible, to try and make the FEO look stupid or not know what he is talking about is just asking for trouble. They know what they want and how it should be, just smile say yes and let him carry on, trust me he knows best and if you folllow what he advises you cannot go wrong.

[libs]

This is a classic example of never ever try and be clever when it comes to FEO`s they know their business and are very good at it, current guidance is to lock shotgun cartridges in a metal container, this is best practice and should be followed where possible, to try and make the FEO look stupid or not know what he is talking about is just asking for trouble. They know what they want and how it should be, just smile say yes and let him carry on, trust me he knows best and if you folllow what he advises you cannot go wrong.

 

He may not always no best, but there is no option to argue with him BEFORE your grant.

 

After you can say what you like and get BASC/SACS involved.

[DanRM]

I did just agree to begin with being 16 at the time, thought everything was going well until my dad being an old one who "knows best" said haha love him anyway he gets me the permission to shoot

[Boromir]

My Interview took half an hour.

 

One of the questions he gave me was "What shotgun are you thinking of buying?" I thought what make etc but he meant what type like a Semi Auto.

 

The bit just before he turns up and the first few minutes of the interview is the worst bit.

[vole]

Like Harnser said,read the BASC handbook on safety etc.I think this is top of the agenda.Not to mention that you do not want a sg for the wrong reasons so knowing a bit about your intended pursuits will not go amiss.I said I had had shooting lessons at a certain clay range. He asked "who with?" A fair question but if I had been talking BS I could not have answered it. Alot of responsibility weighs on the FEO to grant your cert so be serious,polite and all the rest.You will be fine.

[wildgoose1uk]

Just don't **** them off by trying to be a smart ****. They don't want to refuse you a sgc and in fact need good reason to do so. I had an 'experience day' bought for me and had one lesson after that (12 months at least in between mind) and been clay shoot maybe once. Iowuld have had it ages ago but I was too tight to pay delivery for the cabinet and waited for Paul Hart to be down at the game show.

 

Expect more questions for an FAC - rifles you need a reason to own, shotguns youcan have. he took a look atmy cabinet and put me down for 8 guns.

[DanRM]

My previous experience was watching my dad and having the odd shot, but the thing he seemed to pick up was the 10mins i had at the BASC have ago stand at the West Midlands Game Fair

[markbivvy]

This is a classic example of never ever try and be clever when it comes to FEO`s they know their business and are very good at it, current guidance is to lock shotgun cartridges in a metal container, this is best practice and should be followed where possible, to try and make the FEO look stupid or not know what he is talking about is just asking for trouble. They know what they want and how it should be, just smile say yes and let him carry on, trust me he knows best and if you folllow what he advises you cannot go wrong.

current guidance is to lock shotgun cartridges in a metal container

are you sure.?

[DaveK]

 

current guidance is to lock shotgun cartridges in a metal container

are you sure.?

 

I'm sure he's not Mark.

[CZ550Kevlar]

It is adviseable to secure shotgun cartridges, it is being said by many a FEO so if you doubt me feel free to check with every FEO in the country and you will find there are those that give this as guidance. Don`t you think it is best practice then to secure your shotgun ammunition as best as possible???

[markbivvy]

It is adviseable to secure shotgun cartridges, it is being said by many a FEO so if you doubt me feel free to check with every FEO in the country and you will find there are those that give this as guidance. Don`t you think it is best practice then to secure your shotgun ammunition as best as possible???

 

I think its very responsible to store them, but store them the right way .

and a metal container is not the right way.

some feo,s dont know their heads from their *****,s and if mine tried to give me wrong info i would have no compulsions putting him or her right.

 

As yet there is no legislation for storing shotgun shells, if in doubt read this .

 

SHOTGUN CERTIFICATE PART B (Details of shotguns)

 

QUESTION 17 STORAGE OF SHOTGUNS AND NAMES OF THOSE USING CABINET

 

Normally, the answer will be: "In a purpose-built steel cabinet securely fixed to a wall of the house and out of sight of casual visitors". This is in accordance with Home Office advice which goes on to say that any other method providing an equivalent level of security should be equally acceptable. It is worth noting that the requirement for reasonably secure storage does not apply to shotgun cartridges. They are best stored in a cool, dry place out of reach of children. The police are there to advise you on secure storage, not to dictate conditions. If you think their "advice" is unreasonable then contact BASC. Your statutory responsibility for security is set out as Condition 4a on your shotgun certificate. This means that you must store your shotguns "securely so as to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, access to the shotguns by an unauthorised person". It does not say that you must have a BSI tested cabinet or, indeed, that you must have a cabinet of any kind. However, it is normally accepted that a purpose-built gun cabinet, securely fixed to the fabric of the building and in a position where it is not readily observed by casual visitors, is the easiest way for most certificate holders to show that they are fulfilling their responsibility. Other methods giving an equivalent level of security are equally acceptable. Be sensible about security. Be aware that good overall household security protects all your property, not just your guns. The important words in the requirement are "reasonably practicable" and it is your own responsibility, not that of the FEO. He is there to advise and help. If you get it wrong, you are answerable to the courts.

feel free to check this with your feo.

[al4x]

It is adviseable to secure shotgun cartridges, it is being said by many a FEO so if you doubt me feel free to check with every FEO in the country and you will find there are those that give this as guidance. Don`t you think it is best practice then to secure your shotgun ammunition as best as possible???

 

 

certainly not my FEO he proceeded to tell me he had some in his garden shed, despite not having a ticket as you don't need one to posses them and you also don't need to lock them up.

The number of shooters who have cartridges in the back of trucks and coat pockets and most draws in the house is surprisingly common.

[CZ550Kevlar]

I have a 3 year old daughter so locking them away in a container is the responsible thing for me to do, and would apply to alot of other people with children. My FEO knows i have a child so it is good advice. Why is a steel container not a good idea?? if it can contain the blast of det cord then a few cartridges will make no difference to it.