FEO visit last Thursday

[worthy130 21]

I typicaly got the anti firearms officer from our local area and he was so negative towards my application.

 

He said i can have a .22lf with mod no problem, but when he came to the .223+ mod he was VERY negative even tho i have a very good reason for applying for one ( i am an underkeeper and conservation officer on a shoot).

 

He has put my app on 'the back burner' while i get more experience with .223 (didn't realise i could shoot without a licence till he said i could) he also wants a letter from someone who have held a firearms licence for 10+ years vouching for me.

 

Now the extra experience seems like a good idea (a few nights lamping or some target shooting would be enough) BUT i really disagree with the letter from a licence holder, this seems a bit extreme to me.

 

Just after your thoughts

 

Cheers

[SEAN3513 7]

common practice now mate

 

given the recent firearms incidents............i personally think its a good thing

 

atb

 

sean

[worthy130 21]

common practice now mate

 

given the recent firearms incidents............i personally think its a good thing

 

atb

 

sean

 

 

But how many people would know someone with 10+years with a Firearms licence?

 

I was also wondering weather or not to get BASC to weigh in on this

[halamrose 24]

10yrs seems arbitrary and excessive. On the other hand, if you didn't know about how and when you can use someone else's rifle then you haven't done your homework - read up on 'estate rifle' clause and the discussion of who qualifies as 'occupier'. You could propose you do a BASC basic rifle course, DSC or something if you don't have know someone who can vouch for you.

Cheers,

H

 

Edited to add, if your an underkeeper, why not the keeper to vouch for you?

[markha 99]

Where in Wales are you?

Get you senior keeper, owner of the shooting rights to write you a reference and balls to how long they may have held a firearms licence, if they have been issued with one then they have been deemed to be a suitable person with a legitimate need to own a firearm.

 

You need to brush up on the firearms act and bits of other relevant law, all this can be found on the BACS website even if your not a member as its all in public domain.

 

In the meantime I would get back intouch with your FEO and get him to go ahead with your application for 22RF and possibly 17HMR? And leave the 223 for 12 months untill you have had a bit of experience, then put in for the 223 and all should be good, in the time span you can then get a bit of mentoring on CF at night.

 

If you strongly dissagree with your FEO and you are a member of one of the shooting orgs then get in touch with them and get advice or even pass the application to them to see what the score is.

 

As you say the FEO was very negative regarding CF even though you say you have the need for one, having a need for CF and the FEO feeling confident in putting your application forward for one obviously didnt match.

 

 

Are you a young person who has just started out in to the world of gamekeeping and shooting?

 

 

As for mentoring this is absolute bollocks as far as IM concerned and something that is not set in the law, either in the firearms act or in the home office guidance to the police, its totally farcical, how the hell they can take the word of another certificate holder who rings up your FEO and tells them they have taken you out a few times at night and they think you are OK means nothing unless they know how safe the mentor is!!!!!!

 

A lot of FEO keep on harping on about how 223 is nato 5.56mm and how powerfull and dangerous it is as the military use it! Utter bollockas again! If you put a nato 5.56 round in your 223 be prepared for the chamber to to explode!!!!! as the amount of pressure in a 'sporting 223' is about 10,0000u less than that in a military 5.56 nato round, in short they are much more powerful.

If they are happy letting you have a 22rf or a 17hmr then they should be happy letting you have even the largest of calibres, its not the gun its the shooters experience. Back stops, safe arcs of fire, sensible distances for humane kills are required for all rifles regardless of its power.

 

Rant over and I hope you do something positive with your application.

[worthy130 21]

I am from Gwynedd. I will get the shoot manager to wright to the FEO as advised as the keeper is only 17 yrs old and hasn't had his Licence that long.

 

I am 26 and have had a Shotgun licence for 11 yrs and shot with air rifles since a kid (and i know its a big difference to CF's)

 

I will have a word with the shoot manager tomorrow when i'm at work and i will ring the FEO on monday to see what we can sort out.

[kieran222 0]

You could also try asking him to include it on your FAC but put a mentoring condition on it. At least that way you could get your gun and shoot with a suitable mentor. You would however have to later submit proof that the mentor is happy with your shooting/safety awareness to have the mentoring condition removed.

[markha 99]

I am from Gwynedd. I will get the shoot manager to wright to the FEO as advised as the keeper is only 17 yrs old and hasn't had his Licence that long.

 

I am 26 and have had a Shotgun licence for 11 yrs and shot with air rifles since a kid (and i know its a big difference to CF's)

 

I will have a word with the shoot manager tomorrow when i'm at work and i will ring the FEO on monday to see what we can sort out.

 

 

The head keeper is 17? This wouldnt be anything to do with Jono and the Bodeaun shoot would it?