cdb Posted May 30, 2009 Report Share Posted May 30, 2009 Am about to send off my SGC application but need some advice on the safe. I've read all about how it's up to the police to prove why you shouldn't be granted a licence, but I live in central London and was wondering whether where I live will make the application process a little harder (what with all our gun crime problems). I can't find any guidance on whether I should buy a gun safe before or after the FEO visits. I thougth I'd read somewhere that you should have the safe installed for the FEO to see when they visit. But doesn't buying the safe before the interview assume the application will be successful? Do the police appreciate this sort of assumption? I'd hate to buy the safe and then have the application refused. I was wondering what everyone else did. Did you buy your safe before your interview? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reaper6 Posted May 30, 2009 Report Share Posted May 30, 2009 Ibought mine before and the FEO commented that is was a good one to have Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jojusa Posted May 30, 2009 Report Share Posted May 30, 2009 (edited) If you wait until after the FEO has visited to buy your cabinet then the FEO will have to make another visit to check your cabinet. When the firearms dept rang me to arrange a time for the visit, the young lady said that if I was to be keeping the weapons at home then the cabinet would have to be fitted so it could be checked during the visit. So in short, fit your cabinet before the visit. Edited May 30, 2009 by jojusa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cdb Posted May 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2009 Good stuff. Thanks chaps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
realtreedave Posted May 30, 2009 Report Share Posted May 30, 2009 worst case scenario you will have safe storage for air rifles or household valuables,in which case gunsafes are not bad value Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cdb Posted May 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2009 Wish I had enough valuables to fill it! Anyone have any experience with the Met? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f.a.c.sam Posted May 30, 2009 Report Share Posted May 30, 2009 I sent off my application and then once I had my interview and knew for definate I would get my sgc I went out and bought a safe. My feo came out again checked it over and left my completed sgc with me after he was happy it was suitable. Is it possible that you could send off your SGC buy a safe in the mean time and then find out that you have been refused? Just curious because surely I could have my feo visit and during the interview say something bad by accident which would change his mind about my suitability at which stage I would have already attached the safe and would then have to remove it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
covlocks Posted May 30, 2009 Report Share Posted May 30, 2009 You cant have it all ways, you either want a SGC or not. Not buying the cabinet can also demonstrate that you have your own doubts and have something to hide. If you have a clean record, some experience and common sense, a safe storage and a good reason for having your SGC, then your application will not fail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted May 30, 2009 Report Share Posted May 30, 2009 I have said this before . If you fit the criteria for shot gun ownership ,a person of good charactor , need to have the shotgun and a secure place to store it ,then you will get your ticket . If you fit the criteria then go ahead and buy your gun safe ,you wont be allowed to have guns without it and quite rightly so . Best of luck ,Harnser . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_R Posted May 30, 2009 Report Share Posted May 30, 2009 I bought the safe but waited for his visit before fitting it, so I could ask him which of the two options I wanted would be more acceptable. He was happy with either, and let me choose the position I liked best. I had it fitted within a couple of days and he was back a day or so after that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Windy Posted May 31, 2009 Report Share Posted May 31, 2009 i didnt get my safe fitted till after my sgc visit/interview. during the visit my FEO checked out where i wanted to fit the cabinet, and ok'd it. So in that respect it was good, when he comes back to check the safe there shoudnt be any issues. In fact, he doesnt seem too bothered about coming out to check it at all!! Have had 3 different shotties on my cert since my sgc was granted 3 months ago, rang the FEO to mention that my cab hadnt been checked. He said he'll come out when the office bods tell him to! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhiannonBW Posted May 31, 2009 Report Share Posted May 31, 2009 I dropped my application in personally at Lloyd House (West Midlands Police Headquarters) and asked if it would be possible to chat to someone about the best position to place the safe. A very nice gentleman came down and agreed that my proposed safe position was acceptable, so once the interview was arranged hubby fitted the safe for me. I think the FAO appreciated us making the effort to get it installed beforehand as it saves them two journies. As long as there are no 'issues' about you getting a SGC (e.g. past convictions) then you should be fine. Rhiannon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lez325 Posted May 31, 2009 Report Share Posted May 31, 2009 Mention the position and type of gun safe you intend to purchase and you'll be ok if all other criteria is met Brattonsound is a cracking police apparoved gun safe Les Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
libs Posted May 31, 2009 Report Share Posted May 31, 2009 Had mine fitted before the Met came round and had my SGC and FAC 8 days after the visit! I would reccomend buying and fitting prior to aplication. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cdb Posted May 31, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2009 Many thanks to all - most helpful. Will be ordering my safe shortly. Cheers guys and gals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoughton Posted June 3, 2009 Report Share Posted June 3, 2009 (edited) I would recommend buying but NOT fitting before your FEO visit. The FEO will appreciate the fact that you are serious about security but have awaited guidance and ultimately agreement with him/her with regards to location and fixing. Otherwise you risk having to move it or change the fixing somehow. That would be a pain and also result in redecoration! Good luck - hope all goes well. I bought cabinet in Jan, had my visit in Feb, fitted the cabinet later in the agreed location the same day and received my certificate mid March. Steve Edited June 3, 2009 by shoughton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted June 3, 2009 Report Share Posted June 3, 2009 When I first had to have a cabinet all those years ago I said I would fit one so they could inspect it. They told me to buy it but not fit it as they would advise the best place for it. Nowadays I would ring the firearms dept and ask them. If you have an alcove or built in wardrobe then that is the best place for it as it will be out of sight of visitors. As already said, if you don't have a record as long as your arm and are not a raving nutcase then you shouldn't have any problems at all. You do not have to have a valid reason for wanting a shotgun by law but that is probably one question you will be asked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winchester energy Posted June 3, 2009 Report Share Posted June 3, 2009 I purchased and fitted too the wall before any visit......it shows you care and know what you should have . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted June 3, 2009 Report Share Posted June 3, 2009 I put on my application that my gun would be stored in an industry standard gunsafe in my home at a location to be agreed with my FLO. I did not have the safe when he visited for the interview, nor did I have one when he popped round and dropped off my SGC - it is far from essential to have your safe fitted before your interview. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted June 3, 2009 Report Share Posted June 3, 2009 If you have a decent place to fit it then do and the check will be done at the same time as your interview, If you live in a Wimpey built cardboard house then it may be best to wait for advice on where to site it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Windy Posted June 3, 2009 Report Share Posted June 3, 2009 If you have a decent place to fit it then do and the check will be done at the same time as your interview, If you live in a Wimpey built cardboard house then it may be best to wait for advice on where to site it. which was my situation.....was worried the FEO would demand the cabinet goes in the loft, total ball ache. However he was happy for it to be coach bolted to the floor joists in one of the built in wardrobes. Having fitted it, I can vouch that the cab aint going anywhere! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peely Posted June 3, 2009 Report Share Posted June 3, 2009 I purchased and fitted too the wall before any visit......it shows you care and know what you should have . I agree with winchester energy, if you have done your homework on the location and fixing type it shows the officer that you are keen and more than anything, shows that you have thought about the safety/legal side. Also means that you don't have to faff about with 2 visits then - that must be a cost saving on biscuts and tea???!! Peely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigweed Posted June 3, 2009 Report Share Posted June 3, 2009 Fitted mine before the interview - saved another visit. Just make sure its police approved and in an appropriate place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cdb Posted June 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2009 I completely get the 'not presuming the outcome of an assessment' thing. If I was interviewing someone and they were talking/acting as though they had already got the job I'd be annoyed. I also see the whole 'not wasting the FEO's time' thing. Flip a coin. I'm a boring civil servent with no history of mental illness or criminal convictions. I've had a couple of lessons at a local clay school. I have a wife and very young daughter so am VERY security conscious. I have a basement store room that's part of the original construction of my house so the gun safe when in there will be very much out of the way. Considering all this, I don't see a problem with my application. Given that I think I might, proverbially, bite the bullet and buy the safe. All good advice, thanks guys and gals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jinxy72 Posted June 3, 2009 Report Share Posted June 3, 2009 I put on my application that my gun would be stored in an industry standard gunsafe in my home at a location to be agreed with my FLO. I did not have the safe when he visited for the interview, nor did I have one when he popped round and dropped off my SGC - it is far from essential to have your safe fitted before your interview. depends on the local police force .... im under the met and my FLO wouldnt issue the cert until i had a cabinet fitted and inspected by him .. but didnt have any probs arranging a revisit to check the cabinet after the initial interview :look: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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