Firearms officer coming over advice needed!!

[JonathanKent 16]

Hi All,

 

I am after some advice. I have got the Firearms Officer coming over tomorrow to have a chat as I have put a variation in on my FAC. I have got a .22 already and I have put in a variation for another .22 (I have a bolt action and I want a semi auto to deal with all the bunnies on my permission as there are fields that are Bald at the moment due to the numbers!) I have also put in for a .17 for longer distance bunnies and a 22-250 for foxes.

 

I have just spoken to him and hes coming over tomorrow, I’m papping myself over what he is going to ask me!

 

Is there anything I should read before tomorrow or look out for etc?

 

Any help or advice would be really appreciated.

 

ATB

Jonno

[jamie g 17]

just be yourself mate tell the truth on anything he asked you of course. and have the reasons why you want the rifles.

 

if he asked explain to him why you really need them. i cant see a prob you getting 22/250 and 17 hmr. but he mite ask why you want a second 22lr.

 

weird i no but some dont like giving two rifles of same caliber. which is silly. just explain to him why you really need them

[theinvisiblescarecrow 0]

Relax & go with the flow.

You'r not expected to know everything & don't be afraid to ask questions.

You can increased or decrease what you have put on the form, it was only an application, sometimes they even give good alternative suggestions.

Sometimes they can even suggest an extra you hadn't asked for.

Sometime though they can be blunt, you'r not haveing that.

(I asked for B/A for vermin & S/A for range use)

Urm generally means yes but convince me.

No means don't push your luck.

Yes means grin like a Cheshire cat when he's out the door.

I got B/A but not S/A, the B/A was what I was after though, the S/A was an after thought.

I asked for two air & got both.

Relax & report back the good news.

[nickarris83 17]

good luck , its true some can be very blunt and some are quite easy going matey , just be yourself , let us all no how you get on mate

best wishes nick

[JonathanKent 16]

Well, I'm not really sure how it went! He said that I was asking for too much at once and said that he couldn't justify me having all three at once.

 

He said that if I removed the .17 he could put it forward for recomendation. He did say that I could re-apply for the .17 in six months or so.

 

So he removed the .17and left the .22 and the 22-250 but he said that this did not mean that I was going to get them just that he would recomend that I should be allowed them.

 

I am at a bit of a loss, I thought that the decision was the Firearms Officer?? appaerntley not!

 

Is this ussual?

 

Sorry to bang on.

 

ATB Jonno

[coldweld 65]

Not to much of a loss ! You would have had to head shoot rabbits with a .17 if you wanted to eat them, And you can do that with a 22-250 ! Cost a bit more but if you take in to account the cost of a .17 rifle Mounts mod and scope you would have spent a few quid anyway .

[matt_hooks 188]

JK, sounds like another FEO getting above his station! It's not up to him to tell you what's too much rifle! I might be tempted to talk to the BASC firearms department and see what they say. If you have a good reason for each rifle, and can show that you can store them securely then I think he's not being reasonable!

 

Having said that, I agree that the loss of the .17 isn't too big a blow, and if you're willing to accept that for the sake of not upsetting the FEO then go for it.

 

The person who grants the FAC is the chief police officer, so the FEO is correct in that he can only recommend, or not, but I've found that the CPO rarely gainsays the FEO!

 

Good luck fella, fingers crossed!

[JonathanL 4]

Well, I'm not really sure how it went! He said that I was asking for too much at once and said that he couldn't justify me having all three at once.

 

He said that if I removed the .17 he could put it forward for recomendation. He did say that I could re-apply for the .17 in six months or so.

 

So he removed the .17and left the .22 and the 22-250 but he said that this did not mean that I was going to get them just that he would recomend that I should be allowed them.

 

I am at a bit of a loss, I thought that the decision was the Firearms Officer?? appaerntley not!

 

Is this ussual?

 

Sorry to bang on.

 

ATB Jonno

 

He's talking bollox, quite frankly. There is no limit in the number of firearms you are allowed to possess. You have to show that you have "good reason" to possess each firearm you apply for. If you can do that then the cops cannot refuse you.

 

My personal opinion would be to stick with your original application and don't let him talk you into taking one off. Tell him to refuse you officially - which has to be done in writing in the prescribed manner. I very much doubt that he will do this as if he does then it has to be defended at court should you decide to challenge it.

 

The decision, strictly speaking, is that of the Chief Officer of police. However, this is delegated to the head of the licensing department. In reality though, it's not a "decision" at all. It is not in the gift of the police to grant you a cert, they have no discretion to refuse you just because they feel like it. It is your right in law to be issued the cert if you can show "good reason" and you meet the other statutory criteria.

 

J.

Edited May 27, 2010 by JonathanL