Martindale2025
Busy member
i eventually got my FAC but not until i complained to the local councillor, police boss lady and the FAO several times. it took 15 months NOW i cant decide what gun to bloody buy
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the Daily hi thread
FAC wait times.
- Thread starter Bardot
- Start date
zakdingel
Member Extraordinaire
That it then when i win big im moving next door!!!!!----mine just landed today after a 7 -8 weeks one for one i had to ring them and chase it as im running out of ammo and need a batch for comps spoke with them last Thursday they were understanding they said the workload they have is building up as they is only a couple that can do them --many forces just don't have the staff trained in firearms ticket's -it can be frustrating but anyone waiting just sit tight your time will come --i also think it is about time we had a card type of ticket where you can go into a RFD and do one for one in there that day even if there is a charge that will free loads more time for them to deal with full applications and renewal's
Crossbows have similar leglislation to airguns here in the UK apart from the mail order part and possibly some others.
Crossbows Act 1987
An Act to create offences relating to the sale and letting on hire of crossbows to, and the purchase, hiring and possession of crossbows by, persons under the age of seventeen; and for connected purposes.
I can see that changing though , licensed like the Brocock SCGC airguns where current owners will apply for a license and they won't be able to buy them , sell them or gift them.
Hiram
Super member
I've often wondered why the UK doesn't follow the gun law models of European nations like Sweden or Germany. While still restrictive (by US standards) they seem to be much more reasonable, permissive, workable and, well, sane. And both Sweden and Germany appear to have lower murder rates than the UK, so perhaps if the UK were to lighten up a bit on restrictions, it wouldn't move the needle much in regard to serious crime. Maybe responsible citizens owning firearms for responsible reasons is nothing to be afraid of.
3595wilk
Member Extraordinaire
I think cost would be a barrier @Hiram - at least for the German model. Sports shooting takes about 12 months to finalise and requires club membership and monthly visits and a weekend long examination. Based on club costs in Germany, that's about £1000 ahead of actually purchasing a sporting firearm.
The hunting route is even more costly. Circa 150 hours of compulsory training, plus the cost of the Jadgschein and the compulsory insurance - both of which only last 3 years - add up to a conservative figure of about £2300......and a lot more if you choose the accelerated training course.
Then they operate a fee system for the licence too plus fees for additional firearms I believe - at least for hunting. Think the sports (yellow) licence, means you can go and buy a new firearm straight away....but are limited to a number of purchases each year.
Not sure about the Swedish model. Hopefully @JohnnySweden could assist?
We moan about our system yes, but around £200 for a co-terminous 5 year ticket seems a bargain........
That said, I firmly believe we should have some form of mandated training required for sports and especially hunting ownership. A system left to gun clubs to assess suitability is subjective in the extreme - and leaves all parties open. And just because a farmer says you can shoot rabbits on their land is probably not the best way to assess competence with a firearm.....
The hunting route is even more costly. Circa 150 hours of compulsory training, plus the cost of the Jadgschein and the compulsory insurance - both of which only last 3 years - add up to a conservative figure of about £2300......and a lot more if you choose the accelerated training course.
Then they operate a fee system for the licence too plus fees for additional firearms I believe - at least for hunting. Think the sports (yellow) licence, means you can go and buy a new firearm straight away....but are limited to a number of purchases each year.
Not sure about the Swedish model. Hopefully @JohnnySweden could assist?
We moan about our system yes, but around £200 for a co-terminous 5 year ticket seems a bargain........
That said, I firmly believe we should have some form of mandated training required for sports and especially hunting ownership. A system left to gun clubs to assess suitability is subjective in the extreme - and leaves all parties open. And just because a farmer says you can shoot rabbits on their land is probably not the best way to assess competence with a firearm.....
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JohnnySweden
Super member
Here its a pretty straightforward and inexpensive process, the cost is - for political reasons - an important factory since money should not be a limit for people acquiring a FAC.
Basically only 2 things are required;
1. Suitability of the person, no criminal activities and of a sound mind (no mental health issues)
2. Proven enough proficiency, knowledge and good judgement
Exactly how one aquire and prove the second point is up to imagination.
Usually one passes a Hunting Exam (typically theoretical studies 3 hours one evening a week during 20 weeks for a total of 60 hours, then 2 written and 3 practical tests). This qualifies and has the additional bonus of acquiring the right to hunt animals, set traps etc.
The cost, from £100-2000
Another popular path is competition.
One joins a target shooting club, practice and take part in their courses. When proficient enough they will certify that you are qualified enough. You will recieve a certificate allowing you to compete nationally, outside the club and use other clubs ranges.
The cost £50-500, with an addition membership fee anually app £30
Then there is the odd ways, like as a former service member of the armed forces, the police force etc
You can use letters of merit from them to confirm you to qualify for a FAC. Usually free of charge.
In general, due to our mandatory conscription in the national service most people have a good understanding in how to handle firearms safely and have taken part in basic education of the matter, even if they only served behind a desk etc.
Accidents with firearms is thankfully very rare here, and socially frown upon.
Carelessness with a firearm is pretty much seen as a drunk driving incident, a sign of very bad judgement/flawed character and nothing anyone wants to brag about, like some do for a speeding ticket...
As a yardstick, my application for TVP went in on 18/06. Got an automated text yesterday (24/06) confirming they have received, and stated 12 weeks from receipt.
About the same time it took my GP surgery to know the difference between its arse and its elbow.
About the same time it took my GP surgery to know the difference between its arse and its elbow.
Sak
Super member
21 months waiting for SGC, i'm not bothered now. Will i get interest on my £79 ?I’m on 17 months wait for FAc application and counting
JohnnySweden
Super member
The situation in the UK is indeed amazing from our point of view. 
A friend who had to wait 16 working days (outside the legal requierment of 14 working days), got a personal letter with his confirmation where the superintendent expressed his apology for their slow service...(probably trying to avoid getting a complaint filed)
A friend who had to wait 16 working days (outside the legal requierment of 14 working days), got a personal letter with his confirmation where the superintendent expressed his apology for their slow service...(probably trying to avoid getting a complaint filed)
D34n87
New member
When did you start your application? I started mine in April and had my interview in July. I asked at the meeting and was told that they are taking at least 12 months from start of application.
for anyone that has theirs, how long did it take after they had all the infomation. Had my interview, they have both my references and GP Documents. They have confirmed they have everything they need from me.
Mammoth200
Active member
Nice to hear of someone getting there in the end! I'm just approaching 12 months wait, having applied to Suffolk back in August last year. I'm being told up to 24 months by BASC, and 20 months by the FLU. I - like you - sent a letter through to the Suffolk PCC Tim Passmore explaining my position, which netted me a letter through the police complaints management unit from the firearms licencing manager, but the only difference between this and previous communications was this had my name at the top, very little difference in content, no real idea on the size of the backlog, how long it'll potentially take.
For my own interest, I have done a freedom of information request in order to try and ascertain for myself the length and breadth of the backlog, whether the data suggests it's increasing or decreasing in size, and whether I can work out a better metric for when they might consider picking up my application.
Worth mentioning that I've not had any contact for a home visit, just responses to effectively say "expect a long wait".
Martindale2025
Busy member
If you haven’t even had the home visit then it’s going to be a while if it’s anything like mine. It took a year after my home visit for me to actually receive my FAC. Luckily for me I already had everything in place because of my shotguns and only had to buy an ammo safe and a key locker for my spare cabinet keys which I had already bought anyway. The FAO was a decent guy and told me that some of his colleagues just let the visits pile up and can’t really be bothered most of the time. To get the backlog down he likes to just do a couple every week to get them off his desk.
tony1951
Well-known member
I am waiting for my FAC and Shotgun Cert renewal from Northumbria. They seem pretty reasonable to me about any dealings I have had with them over many many years. I got my first Shotgun Cert in 1975, so I have been dealing with them a long time, every five years when the certificate lapses and needs renewing.
I made my most recent reapplication in mid February, and I got a letter / permit extension a couple of weeks ago recognising that they would not be able to renew my certificate in time (mid August). The letter extends my certificate for two months beyond its expiry date.
I emailed trying to get an idea when the home visit might be and they responded that they were about to start on my certificate renewal (phoning the farmers to check I do pest control and satisfy the 'good reason for possession' criteria, and maybe checking my referees really know me and think I am sensible....
I do wonder if they will question my age now at 75 years. However I am fit as a lop and going shooting pests about three or four times a week just now. I have cleared well over a hundred rabbits since February, so I am doing the business. One of my farmers is especially grateful. He has an equestrian place and is worried about rabbit holes and he is over run with the beggars. He will speak very well of me. I am clearing them at the rate of 12 to 18 each weekly visit since he got in touch with me. The other will also be ok, even though I am getting far fewer for him each visit. I have taken fifty- one rabbits from his farm since February, even though they are not easy to approach.
With Northumbria I have with only one exception, about thirty years ago, found them very helpful and constructive. The exception was I think down to one nasty fellow, who may have been involved in some way with handling a horrible violent shotgun rampage that happened near where I lived back then. This officer was a nightmare. He was rude to my wife when he turned up late one evening wanting to see my guns, without any prior arrangement, so I was out at the time and after that, and a very surly vist with me, he declined to renew my certificate for no good reason until I wrote and said his refusal was unlawful and I would resort to court action. The certificates arrived in the post a week later. That was an anomaly around these parts. Everybody else has been very good, if a bit slow at times because of staffing numbers.
This is the horrible rampage that I think caused my only problem with Northumbria. It was a long time ago, but a hideous incident that I think influenced the policeman who gave me trouble.
www.heraldscotland.com
I made my most recent reapplication in mid February, and I got a letter / permit extension a couple of weeks ago recognising that they would not be able to renew my certificate in time (mid August). The letter extends my certificate for two months beyond its expiry date.
I emailed trying to get an idea when the home visit might be and they responded that they were about to start on my certificate renewal (phoning the farmers to check I do pest control and satisfy the 'good reason for possession' criteria, and maybe checking my referees really know me and think I am sensible....
I do wonder if they will question my age now at 75 years. However I am fit as a lop and going shooting pests about three or four times a week just now. I have cleared well over a hundred rabbits since February, so I am doing the business. One of my farmers is especially grateful. He has an equestrian place and is worried about rabbit holes and he is over run with the beggars. He will speak very well of me. I am clearing them at the rate of 12 to 18 each weekly visit since he got in touch with me. The other will also be ok, even though I am getting far fewer for him each visit. I have taken fifty- one rabbits from his farm since February, even though they are not easy to approach.
With Northumbria I have with only one exception, about thirty years ago, found them very helpful and constructive. The exception was I think down to one nasty fellow, who may have been involved in some way with handling a horrible violent shotgun rampage that happened near where I lived back then. This officer was a nightmare. He was rude to my wife when he turned up late one evening wanting to see my guns, without any prior arrangement, so I was out at the time and after that, and a very surly vist with me, he declined to renew my certificate for no good reason until I wrote and said his refusal was unlawful and I would resort to court action. The certificates arrived in the post a week later. That was an anomaly around these parts. Everybody else has been very good, if a bit slow at times because of staffing numbers.
This is the horrible rampage that I think caused my only problem with Northumbria. It was a long time ago, but a hideous incident that I think influenced the policeman who gave me trouble.
Gun killer locked away for life Casual 20-minute shooting spree left one dead and 14 people injured
A GUNMAN was ordered to be locked away for the rest of his life in a secure mental hospital after a shooting spree which left one person dead and 14…
www.heraldscotland.com
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Bardot
Proactive member
I started my application summer last year. I was told they aim to process all grants within 12 months and at that time it was running within that time frame. As that time was up I contacted them recently to see what the score was, and received the reply that due to staff shortages I should not expect anything back until early next year. (I had my FEO visit, ref checks and medical report all sorted within the first 4 weeks.) I'm meeting with 5 of the FEOs from A&S on Friday so may have some better news then but I doubt it ! (Who did you have for your meeting)
tony1951
Well-known member
Why do you need to meed FIVE Firearms Enquiry Officers to get a permit?
If I am not misunderstanding your post, and I do hope I am, it seems like they could increase their throughput 500% if they let you meet with one of them and the others could meet other applicants.
I must have this wrong - surely...
Bardot
Proactive member
They are coming to my local gun club for a meet and greet ! They visit once a year or so to answer questions and see what we are up to. I may be wrong but believe A&S have a total of 13 FEOs with these five being the most local to the club.
Mammoth200
Active member
Yeah I think you're likely correct there, it's going to be a fair while before I can expect anything. The kicker really was the licencing data back when I applied suggested a wait of perhaps 4 months or so, then when later batches of quarterly data were published, it became quickly apparent that this was no longer the case! Disappointed to hear the other FEO's aren't as prompt as the one you encountered, I feel like that explains a lot. I hope my application finds his desk soon lol
D34n87
New member
I had my interview with Hayley, she was really nice, the interview went well and she said she was happy with everything. In an email i sent after i asked her if i was looking at at least another 9 months from now as she had said at least 12 months from date of application and she said "Hopefully around 9 months, fingers crossed they catch up and it could bee sooner!"