The PH Gun Cabinet - Shooting Matters
Discussion
SGC - you have a right to have, and the Police need a reason to refuse.
FAC - you need have to have a reason to have a section 1 firearm (Rifle, high powered air rifle, shotgun over 3 shot capacity). ie. member of a club to target shoot, or you have access to land to shoot pest/game on. The Police decide if you have a good enough reason, and you pass background checks.
I got my SGC/FAC at the same time as it was a tener more for the very reason you stated, but I was applying for a FAC. Still don't own a shotgun, but I can just borrow mates with my SGC legally if I need one.
FAC - you need have to have a reason to have a section 1 firearm (Rifle, high powered air rifle, shotgun over 3 shot capacity). ie. member of a club to target shoot, or you have access to land to shoot pest/game on. The Police decide if you have a good enough reason, and you pass background checks.
I got my SGC/FAC at the same time as it was a tener more for the very reason you stated, but I was applying for a FAC. Still don't own a shotgun, but I can just borrow mates with my SGC legally if I need one.
maser_spyder said:
Hi chaps,
Just about to apply for a shotgun license and spotted it's only a tenner more to get a firearm certificate too.
The guidelines don't say why you wouldn't just apply for both so I'm a bit confused. Looking for advice from anybody who's done it before!
I only really want a shotgun for now, but for an extra tenner (and an extra referee), surely I might as well apply for both, just in case I spot a nice rifle at the auctions or something.
Have I missed something?
Whereas a shotgun certificate is considered a right in this country a Firearm or FAC is not. you would need to have proof of suitable land to shoot it on or be a member of a club. You have to give reason for quantity and calibre of all firearms including ammunition type. the cost of FAC might be an additional £10 but the grief of attaining one might not be worth it Just about to apply for a shotgun license and spotted it's only a tenner more to get a firearm certificate too.
The guidelines don't say why you wouldn't just apply for both so I'm a bit confused. Looking for advice from anybody who's done it before!
I only really want a shotgun for now, but for an extra tenner (and an extra referee), surely I might as well apply for both, just in case I spot a nice rifle at the auctions or something.
Have I missed something?
Excellent responses, thank you.
I'm not in a massive hurry so will mull it over.
Anybody know if you apply for both, but they refuse the firearms part, would you still get the shotgun license or would they refuse it all?
I have my own land with an abundance of foxes, hence the need for some sort of gunnage. Shotgun is a bit overkill for foxy woxy, rifle would be perfect, but not sure if it's worth the extra hassle.
I grew up as a country lad so was around guns as a child, now moving back to rural life. Not a gun expert by any means, but I do know the dangerous end from the safe end.
It's all very different to Texas, was there earlier in the year, walked in to a range and with my driving license, rented an M-16 and a .38 pistol to shoot a few rounds. No safety talk, no supervision, just off you go and enjoy yourself!
I'm not in a massive hurry so will mull it over.
Anybody know if you apply for both, but they refuse the firearms part, would you still get the shotgun license or would they refuse it all?
I have my own land with an abundance of foxes, hence the need for some sort of gunnage. Shotgun is a bit overkill for foxy woxy, rifle would be perfect, but not sure if it's worth the extra hassle.
I grew up as a country lad so was around guns as a child, now moving back to rural life. Not a gun expert by any means, but I do know the dangerous end from the safe end.
It's all very different to Texas, was there earlier in the year, walked in to a range and with my driving license, rented an M-16 and a .38 pistol to shoot a few rounds. No safety talk, no supervision, just off you go and enjoy yourself!
maser_spyder said:
Excellent responses, thank you.
I'm not in a massive hurry so will mull it over.
Anybody know if you apply for both, but they refuse the firearms part, would you still get the shotgun license or would they refuse it all?
I have my own land with an abundance of foxes, hence the need for some sort of gunnage. Shotgun is a bit overkill for foxy woxy, rifle would be perfect, but not sure if it's worth the extra hassle.
I grew up as a country lad so was around guns as a child, now moving back to rural life. Not a gun expert by any means, but I do know the dangerous end from the safe end.
It's all very different to Texas, was there earlier in the year, walked in to a range and with my driving license, rented an M-16 and a .38 pistol to shoot a few rounds. No safety talk, no supervision, just off you go and enjoy yourself!
Well you have the land subject to appraisal by a firearms liason officer you have a valid excuse (foxes) most people would use a .22 centrefire rifle like a .223 for foxes but see what the officer suggests. It is VERY rare but not unheard of to be refused a shotgun and they would need a damn good reason. you have nothing to lose so may aswell apply for both. if you have rabbits you could use a .22LR Rimfire rifle make sure you request a sound moderator (classed as another firearm incidentally) to protect your ears a little I'm not in a massive hurry so will mull it over.
Anybody know if you apply for both, but they refuse the firearms part, would you still get the shotgun license or would they refuse it all?
I have my own land with an abundance of foxes, hence the need for some sort of gunnage. Shotgun is a bit overkill for foxy woxy, rifle would be perfect, but not sure if it's worth the extra hassle.
I grew up as a country lad so was around guns as a child, now moving back to rural life. Not a gun expert by any means, but I do know the dangerous end from the safe end.
It's all very different to Texas, was there earlier in the year, walked in to a range and with my driving license, rented an M-16 and a .38 pistol to shoot a few rounds. No safety talk, no supervision, just off you go and enjoy yourself!
vinnie01 said:
Well you have the land subject to appraisal by a firearms liason officer you have a valid excuse (foxes) most people would use a .22 centrefire rifle like a .223 for foxes but see what the officer suggests. It is VERY rare but not unheard of to be refused a shotgun and they would need a damn good reason. you have nothing to lose so may aswell apply for both. if you have rabbits you could use a .22LR Rimfire rifle make sure you request a sound moderator (classed as another firearm incidentally) to protect your ears a little
I have a resident deer in the forest too, but I'd like to keep him (her), just the foxes I want to get rid of. And moles (but that's another story).
I'll stick the application in, talk to the officer and see what they say. Ta for the advice, appreciated.
I'm guessing the .22LR rifle you mention there is a 'real' rifle and not an air rifle?
maser_spyder said:
I have a resident deer in the forest too, but I'd like to keep him (her), just the foxes I want to get rid of. And moles (but that's another story).
I'll stick the application in, talk to the officer and see what they say. Ta for the advice, appreciated.
I'm guessing the .22LR rifle you mention there is a 'real' rifle and not an air rifle?
maser_spyder said:
just the foxes I want to get rid of. And moles (but that's another story).
There's only one way to get rid of a mole ........ 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fePU5CIHpas
vinnie01 said:
there are 3 types of rifle all in the same calibre confusingly... you have .22 centre fire rifles likt the 220 swift the .223 the 22 hornet and the 222. you have the .22 rimfires (.22 LongRifle .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire .22 Short) and then you have the point .22 air rifle. all shoot a 5.5 mm projectile however the method of propulsion differs enourmously (i used to work in a shooting and fishing shop)
I've got some reading to do....Last thing, for the firearms section of the application, you have to put which type of gun you're intending to purchase, and the quantity of ammunition. I'm guessing if you limit ammunition to a couple of standard boxes that would be acceptable?
Sounds like I need a .22 rifle for the foxes, and a shotgun for the Jasper Carrott method of mole hunting.
Might see if there's any local clubs too, on the basis it wouldn't hurt to learn a bit before I purchase anything.
.22LR is a little light for foxes unless you're only operating at close range. 22CF would be wiser and extend your reach.
Remember you have to justify every single item be it rifle or mod, and then ask for expanding ammunition if it's for vermin/game. Also as mentioned your land will need to be cleared first.
In essence, everything on an FAC is up for debate within the rules - an SGC is an SGC: once you've got it you can add or remove items at will. With an FAC you have to jump through the hoops for everything. So you may find they'll allow you X but not Y and so on, and their reasoning will come down to land, experience (yours, not theirs), and reasons for requesting something - asking for .308 for boar in the middle of Kensington is unlikely to get a favourable result!
Remember you have to justify every single item be it rifle or mod, and then ask for expanding ammunition if it's for vermin/game. Also as mentioned your land will need to be cleared first.
In essence, everything on an FAC is up for debate within the rules - an SGC is an SGC: once you've got it you can add or remove items at will. With an FAC you have to jump through the hoops for everything. So you may find they'll allow you X but not Y and so on, and their reasoning will come down to land, experience (yours, not theirs), and reasons for requesting something - asking for .308 for boar in the middle of Kensington is unlikely to get a favourable result!
Well, I expect to receive my FAC in the next few days and I want to buy my first rifle.
I have narrowed it down to two but I keep wavering between them.
Firstly, a Bushmaster M17S, a bullpup in .223/5.56. I have always liked bullpups and I know that the trigger is going to need some work to fettle. But I still want one.
Secondly, a Mosin Nagant sniper rifle. Who wouldn't want a genuine WWII sniper rifle in their cabinet?
Bugger, I can only afford 1 for now.
I have narrowed it down to two but I keep wavering between them.
Firstly, a Bushmaster M17S, a bullpup in .223/5.56. I have always liked bullpups and I know that the trigger is going to need some work to fettle. But I still want one.
Secondly, a Mosin Nagant sniper rifle. Who wouldn't want a genuine WWII sniper rifle in their cabinet?
Bugger, I can only afford 1 for now.
MKnight702 said:
Purely for punching expensive holes in cheap card.
My local range has 25, 50 and hopefully soon 100m ranges, plus I hope to do some longer distance stuff at Bisley when I get the chance.
The point of a bullpup configuration is mobility, and some do indeed use them for hunting. For just paper punching I'm struggling to see the point, particularly given the dire reviews of the thing. Nagant would be more classic, but is a bit of a brute. I guess it's down to whether you want to be hugely accurate and then improve / tweak / modify from there or if you just want something that's "cool" or "fun" to hold and shoot and don't care whether it's up to snuff or not. My local range has 25, 50 and hopefully soon 100m ranges, plus I hope to do some longer distance stuff at Bisley when I get the chance.
I don't punch paper other than for zeroing, so it's not really my bag, but those two are spectacularly different approaches, and neither will give you sub-MOA accuracy or much option for modification if that's you're bag.
MKnight702 said:
Well, I expect to receive my FAC in the next few days and I want to buy my first rifle.
I have narrowed it down to two but I keep wavering between them.
Firstly, a Bushmaster M17S, a bullpup in .223/5.56. I have always liked bullpups and I know that the trigger is going to need some work to fettle. But I still want one.
Secondly, a Mosin Nagant sniper rifle. Who wouldn't want a genuine WWII sniper rifle in their cabinet?
Bugger, I can only afford 1 for now.
I would imagine the UK FAC spec is a straight pull rather than semi automatic in the 223 calibre?I have narrowed it down to two but I keep wavering between them.
Firstly, a Bushmaster M17S, a bullpup in .223/5.56. I have always liked bullpups and I know that the trigger is going to need some work to fettle. But I still want one.
Secondly, a Mosin Nagant sniper rifle. Who wouldn't want a genuine WWII sniper rifle in their cabinet?
Bugger, I can only afford 1 for now.
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