I have a favour to ask

[paulham]

Hello everyone,

I have a bit of a favour to ask and I would be grateful if somebody could help out.

I called my local firearms licensing office today (met police) just to ask some questions about the the application process and was told by the officer that I would need somebody to take me out a few times to give me some experance before even applying.

I got the impression that they wouldn't even entertain my application without doing this first.
I explained that I didn't personally know anyone with a FAC so this wouldn't be possible, but he told me that it only needs to be once and the person should write a letter to say that I understand safe shooting practices and include this with my application.

So if anyone around the south east of England can help a fellow forum'er out it would be much appreciated.

Thanks
Paul

(Replies by PM maybe better as this is a open forum you don't want everyone asking you )

[PESCA]

A bit surprised at that, Paul. I've known them put a mentoring condition on someone, but not stipulating experience beforehand. Not saying that it's a bad thing mind, although a pain in the bum.

George

[Gloop]

You may need to check to see if the person would need to have an open license. That will make a difference

[jdk1]

I have sent you a pm paul

[sunndog]

never heard of that one....i'v known people to have a mentoring condition. but only then when they have applied for CF straight away
out of interest. what have you put in for?

[phoenix]

This doesn't sound like a mentoring condition, just them trying to make it even more difficult for new applicants.
Remember, their long term plan is to get the number of FAC and SGC holders down, so they try to make it difficut for first time applicants - because it 's very difficult for them to get the numbers down by refusing renewals unless you've been in bother.
There's nothing the relevant Acts of Parliament or in the Home Office guidelines to say you have to go out with someone first.
If you're a member of BASC - contact them for confirmation of this and ask them how you should respond to this ridiculous condition

Cheers

Bruce

[slimbo1973]

PM sent Paul

[Marky610]

I've taken several people out from the BBS, usually deer stalking but anything can be arranged if you wish to travel up here

[SikaStag]

Paul
I have dealt with firearms licensing in the past. To great success. Basically you have an organ grinder that sends a Monkey out to gather info for the organ grinder to make a decision. What happens is you get a Firearms liaison officer that fancies himself as a part time Organ grinder, or little hitler. Starts coming over all superior and telling you things like, I am not giving you that, I might give you that. He does not give or makes a decision not to give anything. He is solely there to gather the info for others to make that decision

When he said that to you, Your first reply should have been, can I have that in writing please. If you are a member of BASC or any other societies, let him know this from the very beginning. Do not take what a Firearms liaison officer tells you as being 100% correct procedure. It is not in most of the cases.

I was the fourth person in Strathclyde to have a sound moderator on my ticket, 18 - 20 years ago. The Woman on the phone told me I was not getting it. I asked her on whose authority was this decision made. She replied that the Deer commission for Scotland did not want people having them as they were basically using them for poaching.
As quick as a flash I asked for the address of the Deer commission, she asked what did I want it for. I said I was due a renewal of my FAC in 4 months. I wanted their address to get my renewal done. She told me they are nothing to do with your FAC, you come through this office to get your FAC. I said exactly. They are nothing to do with my FAC and nothing to do with me getting or not getting a moderator. I informed her after taking her name that I was coming off the phone and future dealings regarding my Sound moderator would come through BASC. I was not even a member of BASC. She perked up big time, changed her whole attitude and the Sound moderator was on my FAC in 12 days time.

Everyone is frightened to question them or dare to disagree with them. If know I am right, I am quite happy to put my suit on and go and have a face to face with whoever I need to.

I also got a call from the head guy at firearms licensing at 8am one morning to have a chat about additions to my renewal. I had 3 rifles and 4 moderators I wanted adding to my FAC. This guy spent 10 minutes telling me what I was asking for and saying there only is 11 sound moderators in the whole of the lothian and Borders and you want to have another 3, I already was 1 of the 11.

My .17 Rem would be the the very first of its kind in Lothian and Borders. I let him have his say, I then asked him why would you call me at 8am in the morning to tell me what I already know, I wrote the additions in the renewal. I do not need you to call me up 4 days after you receive it to tell me what I have written in the renewal.

I asked If they had a cut of figure for moderators in Lothian and Borders and could he send that figure to me in writing. As for my .17Rem, I asked if he was thinking of refusing this calibre on the grounds that it would be the first one in Lothian Borders. Could I also have that in writing as well.
His tone changed completely and he said no I did not say I was going to refuse anything you have asked for. Well said I. If thats the case why are we having this conversation. He said he just called for a chat.

3 weeks later I became an RFD. I became very friendly with this same guy, over the following years.

I could tell you lots of further incidents that you wouldn't believe.

I am a bit far away for you getting here. I would gladly help you out if it ever came to that. I do not think it should come to that. You should not allow it to get to that Stage.

Go do your level 1. That ticks all the boxes that they require.

Ian

[michael40]

i wouldn't bother to much about whats said on the phone Paul, put your

application in and take it from there.

if you haven't been in trouble and mentally fit you'll be fine.

if there's any problems i'm sure we could help out.

get it done and send it off and keep us updated mate.

atb, mike