Getting Serious with the FAC

[reedbradshaw]

Afternoon

 

not long back i did apply for my FAC.........after having heard nothing i assumed that the application had failed.

 

Before everyone starts laughing (because this does sound stupid) i didnt include no references or how much ammo i wanted to store. i just put "on request" and "as police recommendation". Lond story short, i was going to present the references to the FAO on his visit.The point of all this was because i just wanted to have a chat with the FAO. To let him point me in the right direction with the application, afterall i thought FAO's were there to help etc etc.

 

The land i shoot on is cleared for .22lr but not .17hmr. I want to apply for both these calibers. Because the land is not cleared for .17hmr (never been inspected for it, just a .22lr application) would i be turned down on the .17hmr or would the FAO make a seperate visit?

 

Also. What ammo should i put down to hold and buy?

 

I hear someone said to remember expanding ammo?

 

I also hear i have to mention mods?

 

May seem a silly question, but when you have a "slot" for a .22lr does this mean you can only have one? or is like a shotgun cert where you can have as many as your cabinet can hold?

 

I also hear that the FAO quizes you on balistics within the visit. I know basic balistics, safety, back drops etc but can anybody offer me any advice or web links on which i can read up on this?

 

Im ideally after a bolt action in both calibres as i hear they are more accurate and "robust" than the s/a's?

 

sorry for the load of questions, i just really want educating on fire arms so i can fill in my application properly and hopefully own firearms in the future

 

At the moment i have a breakdown cabinet for my shotguns, i will be looking to swap this. Someone did PM me wanting to swap a rifle cabinet for it with cash......but i have lost the PM. Please speak up if you read this as i am very interested

[al4x]

they usually wait for the references to be returned by the people that filled them in I think, so it would just get your application put in the pending pile

[Billy.]

I think you should have looked into all this before sending your application form off. Ignorance doesn't actually bode very well with FEOs.

 

If your application gets refused you'll have made it harder for you to get it if you apply again.

[Luckyshot]

A few questions but we all had to ask at some point so here’s my 2p worth

 

As for the reference forms you need to give each of your referees a form for them to fill in, once completed they need to return

them to your firearms department. You are not supposed to see what has been written about you.

For the ammo allowance I personally went for buy 500 hold 600 but depending on how much you think you would use you could make these

numbers smaller or larger.

 

You can have a chat with your FEO when he comes round for your visit he will help you with what ever information you may require.

 

If the land that you shoot on is cleared for 22rf depending on your force Durham Constabulary quote if the land is cleared for 22rf

it is automatically cleared for 17 HMR. I know this as fact as this is exactly what I have.

 

Expanding ammo should be put down for vermin control in the ammo slot part B Q20-21

 

Sound moderators go in part B Q19 you will need one for each 22rf and 17HMR.

 

When you have a slot for a 22rf or 17HMR you may only purchase what is on your ticket i.e. if both are listed you may purchase 2 rifles 1 22rf and 1 17HMR.

 

Don’t be afraid of what the FEO may or may not ask you preferably you will of had some firearms experience but not essential.

How would you be expected to know the ballistics of such weapons. You can read all you like but you cannot beat hands on experience.

 

Bolt-action compared to semi-autos is a case of you buy which ever you prefer some like bolt-action some like semis. Bolt-actions been the most common for

vermin control semis more common for target use. You decide.

 

As for the cabinet issue you will need a gun cabinet larger the better you will soon fill it plus a cabinet for your ammo and bolts weather

it is a separate cabinet or a small lock box in the top of your main gun cabinet.

 

If you can speak to someone who already has his/her firearms cert as it will help you fill out the forms correctly avoiding any disappointment.

 

You may be better off phoning your FEO regarding your application because if they still have it, it may save you filling out the whole document again.

[Baldrick]

Would it sound very sanctimonious to say 'time spent in reconnaissance is seldom wasted'? The 2002 Home Office Guidance to the Police is a stodgy document, but it addresses everything you need to know about the FAC procedure.

 

Luckyshot has summarised everything well - all is not lost, but I doubt you gave your FEO much cheer. You may wish to contact your FEO and ask him to put your initial application through the shredder (if he hasn't already done so), so that you may re-submit a more thorough and better-judged application. Ideally, submit this application in person: I know my FEO well, and he and I complete the paperwork over a brew here or at the farm we both shoot at, meaning that there are no hiccups or oversights. It's also a good opportunity to negotiate about ammunition allowances and other authorities.

[reedbradshaw]

Thanks for the feedback. You right, the report is a lengthy doc at nearly 200 pages........luckily i didnt use my own printer

 

Ive phoned the FAO who confirmed that he was waiting for the references. Ive asked him to bin it and ill hand deliver a revised copy on Monday.

 

Reed