On Behalf of A Friend

[Jayd 0]

Hi all,

 

I have read the FAC license sticky, but it doesn't answer the question(s) I need answering. I hope someone can help me.

 

A friend of mine is looking to apply for an FAC license, he's interested in (eventually) being able to take on deers etc, and do the expo's to Scotland and suchlike, all in the name of personal interest.

 

He has had a bit more experience than me with air rifles (I've had use of them for about 6/7 years now), and as I said he's looking into applying for the FAC license. He doesn't have any criminal convictions. However, he has, for the last two years, been prescribed medication for depression. Without going into too much detail, he had a bit of a rough time at home due to family breakdown, and lost a close relative in the last year. Now, I know the lad is sound, and not daft, but that's me, and I've known him as a good mate since the beginning of school, all those years ago! But, I'm curious as to what view the license enforcers would take on this. I don't delve deeply into his life, but if he has told the doctor he has thought about self harming or whatever, when he has been at his worst, will they hold that against him, no matter how long ago it was?

 

We both share a friend who is ex army, and that is who is likely to be going out with him for the deer stalking etc. So will that be of use for him to put down on his form if recommended to be accompanied?

 

Thanks for your time all.

[Deker 3,491]

Something like this IS about the detail...the police will want to know everything and will make a decision on the information available...but in this society a lot more people do/have suffered from depression than many would think..and a lot of them have a SGC/FAC!!

[Duck Down 98 0]

hi, that is a sticky one!

If he's just interested in doing expo's and paid trips the estate you go to will nearly always have a guest gun(Estate Rifle) that he can use under supervision of your ghillie/guide without holding a firearms ticket,

 

that would probably be the best option as i dont think the depression is going to help his case to much mate,

 

best of luck to him though!

[Jayd 0]

Thanks for your advice. I will mention this, see where it gets him.

 

Just on a related note - If I own a plot of land, and I want to use it for shooting, can I put down on the form I will be using the guns on my own land, for example shooting rats and rabbits, would they pass me for a FAC?

 

Thanks again.

[SportingShooter 0]

Apologies for not putting medical problems in too much detail in the sticky, but as Deker said, each application goes on its own merits.

 

I know a few people who have gone for both Shotgun and Firearms Certs and had them granted, even though they had been prescribed drugs for depression.

 

The FEO will more than likely contact your Friend's Doctor to ascertain his current state of health and get a better view of your friend when he comes to do the interview.

 

Just declare every detail on the application form and go from there

 

If your Ex-Army friend has a Deer condition on his FAC then he could be a possible Deer mentor, which means that he will accompany your friend for the first few stalks and then when he is satisfied that your friend is able to stalk alone, needs to declare this to the Licensing Department.

 

Yourself,

How big is the piece of land and what sort of features does it have? All land will be assessed individually by an FEO (If not already passed) and so its just as a rough idea. And what calibres were you hoping to apply for?

 

Regards

SS

[jonher 0]

I had a friend of the family who was on medication for depression. When they decided to apply for their shotgun license, basically all the police wanted to do was contact the doctor and ensure they were in a stable state of mind and no risk to themself or anyone else!

 

In a nut shell it's down to the doc's report!

 

They got the shotgun in the end so everything worked out well! I hope it goes equally as well for your mate!

[Jayd 0]

Thanks again everyone

 

Basically, I'm considering investing some cash shortly, and was considering looking at a plot of land, nothing huge, maybe an acre or three. Was going to look into the land buying first, then put in for the FAC. Chances are, the only animals I would come across where I live are rats, rabbits, and the odd fox. So possibly look for a .243? I haven't looked into the options yet, I'm just playing with a HW77 at the moment, but I'm hoping to upgrade at some point.

 

As for the doctors report, do you think it would stand him in good stead that he hasn't repeated his prescription, or would he possibly need to think about booking an appointment with the doctor to tell him he's not as bad as he was?

 

Thanks.

[SportingShooter 0]

A .243 on first grant and on three acres just isnt going to happen I'm afraid.

 

If you were able to find some more land to shoot on then its possible. But if it was just that small parcel of land, then I would think FAC Air is about as much as you will get and then, the fox is off limits.

 

If you do manage to get some more permission, and want an FAC, then I would suggest a .22 Centrefire for Fox rather than a .243, just don't see the need unless Deer are involved. A .223 or .22-250 should suffice.

 

As for your friend, If he has been off the drugs for a while, then the Doctor will tell the FEO that and inform them that they havent been back to see them, so I suggest leaving it to the FEO

 

SS

[Jayd 0]

A .243 on first grant and on three acres just isnt going to happen I'm afraid.

 

If you were able to find some more land to shoot on then its possible. But if it was just that small parcel of land, then I would think FAC Air is about as much as you will get and then, the fox is off limits.

 

If you do manage to get some more permission, and want an FAC, then I would suggest a .22 Centrefire for Fox rather than a .243, just don't see the need unless Deer are involved. A .223 or .22-250 should suffice.

 

As for your friend, If he has been off the drugs for a while, then the Doctor will tell the FEO that and inform them that they havent been back to see them, so I suggest leaving it to the FEO

 

SS

 

Thanks for your advice SS. I would myself, one day, like to have a crack at deer, but it's not something that is an immediate concern. I'll give the FEO a ring in the next few days, and ask for some more info

 

Thanks again

[SportingShooter 0]

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