FAC,s , Depression and Appeals

[sean 0]

Well its been a long time in the making but I have finally got there.

 

I applied for my renewal in oct 2006 and after being turned down by Firearms Lic Branch here in Nothern Ireland in feburary 2008 , yes ,2008 because I was not a fit person ?????

It would appear that because I suffer from depression I am not the sort of person Firearms branch want to hold a gun.

While I would agree that those with mental health issues need to be checked more throughly to ensure they are not a danger to themselves and others, to label them all as unfit is somewhat unfair.

Firearms Branch took the view I was not fit even though they had a report from my GP that I was more than fit and he had no concerns (i did not want to kill myself or others).I am unclear as to how they came about the decision but the word of a qualifed doctor is not good enough and considering he is also the local police medical officer ,I have to wonder how our justice system works.(thats right it does not)

Anyway I appealled to the Northern Ireland office in Feb2008 and sent a further report from a Phychiatrist who also agreed with my GP that I was a fit person. The good news is that i have won my appeal and got the letter this morning telling me.

 

Iam glad that the Northern Ireland Office had common sence and obviously took the same view as my GP and why would they not the facts were there in black and white and I thank them for that.

 

As for the Firearms Branch I will be ringing them on monday morning to get my certificate issue ,however having heard numerous reports about the length of time it takes to get anything done by this Branch I doubt I will get the guns back by xmas . Well maybe my local MLA will be able to help.

 

Anyway If anyone out there has suffered or does suffer from depression dont automatically assume you will lose your guns, if a GP says your fit , appeal it all the way.

 

Victory for common sence at last

 

Yours (soon to be shooting animals not people)

 

sean

 

I look forward to applying for a .177 hmr that will be fun

[snapper5 0]

Well done Sean - glad things have worked out for you. Hopefully you will gain many years of pleasure from what you have had to fight so hard to obtain.

 

:victory:

 

S

[trappa 518]

Well done sean. Its good to see common sense prevail. Very unfair to typecast everyone who has suffered with any form of depression as unfit to own a firearm.

[SportingShooter 0]

Lets be honest, who hasn't had some form of depression from time to time, be it declared or not.

 

Excellent News Sean, common sense has prevailed in your case and I hope it does in many others.

 

Enjoy working with your new tools.

 

Regards

SS

[Grim Reaper 1]

Congatulations Sean well done to you mate - i hope you can now settle on a rifle choice that you are happy with and enjoy what comes your way!!

 

 

All the best pal,

Grim.

[shepp 2,285]

Yes it's an illness that's very much not spoke about which can make the sufferer feel very isolated.

I admire your honesty.

[Rolfe 2]

Well done Sean.......a verdict for common sense at last. As someone who has had professional experience in the past of working with people suffering from depression i know all about the varying degrees of its severity. Good luck....and enjoy your new found pastime.

 

Regards

 

Rolfe

[sean 0]

thanks guys, its good to see support from others.

 

If my experience helps others, all the better, but I most admit victory is sweet

 

sean

[Jaggsy 25]

I was depression free until i dealt with the firearms dept

[sean 0]

well i thought it could not get any worse but it has -

 

after winning my appeal I spoke to Firearms Lic to get my FAC issued and guess what I now have to re apply, yes run around after referees , land owners , photos etc

 

What is going on in this department, I dont think they understand the concept of appeals or dealing with anything quickly. Yet again the decent, honest,hard working and law abiding people get hammered.

 

I have now taken all my correspondence with Firearms Branch to my local MLA and she is looking into it and in the mean time I have re -applied.

 

Good luck to anyone who has dealings with the PSNI firearms branch you will need it and some .

 

sean

[Guest JohnGalway]

Good man Sean, keep after them until you get what you're entitled to It seems these folks fall into that age old category of a little power goes a long way!