Gun Certificate?
Discussion
In all seriousness
If you want a Firearms license and you are not a farmer/landowner with need to control vermin or (eg) hunt deer then best way is to join a local shooting club that caters for your interest (rifle or shotgun, there are no pistols in the UK any more - ask Tony). They will teach you basic safety and how to shoot. Thereafter membership of the club is an acceptable reason for application for FAC or a shotgun certificate (the latter is slightly easier to get). Home security must meet minimum standards (club will explain, but separate secure storage for firearm and ammunition is required.
Oh, and if you mention home defence, personal protection, Rambo, Deathwish or similar then you are unlikely to be successful.
Currently my personal favourite is "practical shotgun" - though the solid slug 12g do thump the old shoulder. Left-handed is particularly difficult given the metalwork holding up my left side. For that you need a full FAC (not shotgun cert) ane a tube- or box magazine 12g semmi-auto or selectable pump/auto. Hours of harmless fun.
If you want a Firearms license and you are not a farmer/landowner with need to control vermin or (eg) hunt deer then best way is to join a local shooting club that caters for your interest (rifle or shotgun, there are no pistols in the UK any more - ask Tony). They will teach you basic safety and how to shoot. Thereafter membership of the club is an acceptable reason for application for FAC or a shotgun certificate (the latter is slightly easier to get). Home security must meet minimum standards (club will explain, but separate secure storage for firearm and ammunition is required.
Oh, and if you mention home defence, personal protection, Rambo, Deathwish or similar then you are unlikely to be successful.
Currently my personal favourite is "practical shotgun" - though the solid slug 12g do thump the old shoulder. Left-handed is particularly difficult given the metalwork holding up my left side. For that you need a full FAC (not shotgun cert) ane a tube- or box magazine 12g semmi-auto or selectable pump/auto. Hours of harmless fun.
Most of the stuff you will need to know is here:
www.basc.org.uk/content/certificate_application_f
but don't get excited as it is a long and complicated procedure. I have both, shot gun and section 1 (firearm). I went down the pest control route for the reason to want mine but the rifle club is the other alternative.
Some of things to bear in mind for the firearm (section 1 aka rifle):
You really must be able to show reasons for wanting one
You must be prepared to be police background/history checked (and possibly your family)
You will have your medical history looked into
You must have the required security at home and have somewhere to fit the required cabinet, etc
You must have somewhere to actually use the rifle, a farm or farms for pest control (why, where etc) or a gun club
You must have the land that you want to use it on approved by the firearms officer - they'll visit and look at the lay of the land, footpaths, roads etc.
It's hard work and incredibly frustrating going through the process but if it all works out it's a great feeling when you get your license.
www.basc.org.uk/content/certificate_application_f
but don't get excited as it is a long and complicated procedure. I have both, shot gun and section 1 (firearm). I went down the pest control route for the reason to want mine but the rifle club is the other alternative.
Some of things to bear in mind for the firearm (section 1 aka rifle):
You really must be able to show reasons for wanting one
You must be prepared to be police background/history checked (and possibly your family)
You will have your medical history looked into
You must have the required security at home and have somewhere to fit the required cabinet, etc
You must have somewhere to actually use the rifle, a farm or farms for pest control (why, where etc) or a gun club
You must have the land that you want to use it on approved by the firearms officer - they'll visit and look at the lay of the land, footpaths, roads etc.
It's hard work and incredibly frustrating going through the process but if it all works out it's a great feeling when you get your license.
jwo said:
A person i know has obtained a shotgun licence which i find very disturbing (due to the person behaviour and ability to get into a storming rage over the smallest thing). Obviously my knowledge would be unknown to the issuing authorities - is there anything i could do?
You must. Talk to your local firearms licensing bureau, your local police station will give you their number.
Seriously - do it.
jwo said:
A person i know has obtained a shotgun licence which i find very disturbing (due to the person behaviour and ability to get into a storming rage over the smallest thing). Obviously my knowledge would be unknown to the issuing authorities - is there anything i could do?
Keep out of his way.....
minghis said:
It's hard work and incredibly frustrating going through the process but if it all works out it's a great feeling when you get your license.
I disagree on this point - mine was very straight forward...
But basically you can't get a gun on a whim - the fact you are asking on this forum suggests to you don't already know someone who shoots, so the chances are you've no land over which to legally shoot. You then really only have the club option. The next question is do you want to shoot Shotgun...moving clay targets etc, rifle...still paper targets, or practical...you run round in a controlled environment and shoot shotgun or rifle at targets against the clock.
Whichever you fancy you need to find the nearest club pop along and introduce your self. I got into Clay and 'rough' shooting through my father in law and is a wonderful passtime (even better if I had more time!) so can highly reccomend it. But if you just fancy having a stash of guns under the bed, then forget it as you can only own a shotgun or Firearm if you can show that you NEED one. Even if you join a club and show your self as a trusted person I think you have to go regularly for about 6 months before you can realistically apply for a rifle. So yes, it is a little more involved in getting a firearm cert, than shotgun, but if you can show you've good reason to own one, then you can have one...providing you've not got a dodgy past/serious criminal record.
What kind of shooting do you think you want to do?
As Virgil points out, no club will support you until you pass the probationary period. This tends to weed out those who donn't actually want to get into the sport - it's a little harder to hit the intended targets than Hollywood would have you believe.
Back in the good o'l pistol shooting days, we had a simple rule before accepting anyone as a full member - 6 months regular attendance then a test with .22 single fire target pistol at 20yds. Put 10/10 anywhere on a P11 target. Suprising how many never did manage that one. Oh, and if you slip up on weapons safety or attitude someone was bound to see you and out you go.
As to owning a "stash", firearms are a tool. If you are involved in different disciplines you may need different tools.
Back in the good o'l pistol shooting days, we had a simple rule before accepting anyone as a full member - 6 months regular attendance then a test with .22 single fire target pistol at 20yds. Put 10/10 anywhere on a P11 target. Suprising how many never did manage that one. Oh, and if you slip up on weapons safety or attitude someone was bound to see you and out you go.
As to owning a "stash", firearms are a tool. If you are involved in different disciplines you may need different tools.
virgil said:
It's hard work and incredibly frustrating going through the process but if it all works out it's a great feeling when you get your license.
I disagree on this point - mine was very straight forward...
But basically you can't get a gun on a whim - the fact you are asking on this forum suggests to you don't already know someone who shoots, so the chances are you've no land over which to legally shoot. You then really only have the club option. The next question is do you want to shoot Shotgun...moving clay targets etc, rifle...still paper targets, or practical...you run round in a controlled environment and shoot shotgun or rifle at targets against the clock.
Whichever you fancy you need to find the nearest club pop along and introduce your self. I got into Clay and 'rough' shooting through my father in law and is a wonderful passtime (even better if I had more time!) so can highly reccomend it. But if you just fancy having a stash of guns under the bed, then forget it as you can only own a shotgun or Firearm if you can show that you NEED one. Even if you join a club and show your self as a trusted person I think you have to go regularly for about 6 months before you can realistically apply for a rifle. So yes, it is a little more involved in getting a firearm cert, than shotgun, but if you can show you've good reason to own one, then you can have one...providing you've not got a dodgy past/serious criminal record.
What kind of shooting do you think you want to do?
Whatever.
minghis said:
Whatever.
Blimey - really didn't mean to hit a nerve...was just saying that my entry into S/Gun ownership was actually very straight forward...sorry for any offence caused.
I've found the Essex force have always been very reasonable and quite efficient - which is nice to know!
As others have said, just because its your right to own a firearm you are not going to necessarily get granted a ticket just because of that right.. you will have to provide the name and address of your gun club for references and you will find most are quite strict. My local club operates a 60% rule, you have to attend 60% of all meetings in the first 6 months and demonstrate a good attitude to the sport and willingness to learn.
However, shotgun permit is much easier to obtain and most forces don’t require you to join a club first, just intending to join is often enough.
However, shotgun permit is much easier to obtain and most forces don’t require you to join a club first, just intending to join is often enough.
matchless said:
will just get a longbow and arrows then as its easier and more deadly in some circumstances, after all I think its still the law that we all do one hours archery practice on a Sunday is it not?
Is it also true that any Welshman found within the city walls of Chester can be bow and arrowed to death after 9.0 p.m..
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