Do i need a certificate???

[PoppythebeaglE 0]

My friend offered to take me out stalking one day, but i do not own a firearms certificate. It is on land where he has the farmers permission but I was wondering whether i would need to apply for a firearms certificate before i go? Any help much appreciated, cheers.

[toby63 1,236]

think you will be ok

[mark@mbb 31]

No mate you dont need one as long as your mate has one you can use his rifle

[delswal 3,817]

having permission does not allow a firearm cetificate holder to loan out a firearm........firearms cannot be loaned like shotguns .....or simply used in the presence of the owner / certificate holder..........unless the certificate holder has the sporting rights to shoot over the land .........and there is a big difference between sporting rights and permission ............so the answer is no

[ken2b 0]

Plus how old are you?

[nod 285]

yes you can out with him with out a fac, aslong as he is with you.

[SportingShooter 0]

This is a contentious issue which confuses and frustrates a lot of people, including myself,

 

Again, it comes down to what policy your individual police force regards as correct as there is nothing in law to stipulate either way,

 

There is what is known as "The Estate Condition" which states that anyone over 17 can borrow a rifle from the "occupier of private land or his servant" meaning that in its strictest form, it has to be the occupier or his gamekeeper, estate manager etc who you borrow the rifle from.

 

However, in Home Office guidance to the police regarding this subject, it states that the "occupier" should be defined as per S.27 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which defines the occupier as "anyone who has the right to hunt, shoot and fish" over private land.

 

In which case, if your friend has permission to shoot there, you can use his rifle in his presence whilst complying with the conditions of his FAC.

 

I have personal experience of this condition being interpreted, in my opinion, incorrectly which took some time to sort out,

 

It is worth a phone call to your licensing department to check how they interpret it

 

SS