RFD status

User00003

Well-Known Member
anyone here experience to tell me about the requirements for RFD registration? as in, living in purchased, rented accomodation, living in city/out of city. Having it as a side-business and/or main business, etc. etc.

any costs associated. storage/security/legals, etc.

sorry, just if you have time.

thanks

PKL
 
Your best bet in the first place PKL is to look at the guidance to police document which is posted in the legal section of this site. There is quite a bit of information in the document about the requirements of registering as a RFD.
 
Phone Fettes and ask to speak to the firearm licensing, they may have some documentation they can forward you.
0131 311 3131
 
been through it with a fine tooth comb

insurance (not to bad if you seek out specialists)
redcare alarm (not too bad if you seek out cheap ones!)
if residential inner wall secure "zone" with approved cabinet(s) (depends on residence) rented vs owned should make a jot of difference as how many commercial properties are owned by the shop?
your lease if rented may preclude some things though

your issue is the reluctance of the majority of the big boys to allow business accounts to non-shop fronted businesses (no names but Edgars!)

I am currently working through the stuff myself
 
been through it with a fine tooth comb

insurance (not to bad if you seek out specialists)
redcare alarm (not too bad if you seek out cheap ones!)
if residential inner wall secure "zone" with approved cabinet(s) (depends on residence) rented vs owned should make a jot of difference as how many commercial properties are owned by the shop?
your lease if rented may preclude some things though

your issue is the reluctance of the majority of the big boys to allow business accounts to non-shop fronted businesses (no names but Edgars!)

I am currently working through the stuff myself

how about cutting the middle man out and seeking an import license?
 
anyone here experience to tell me about the requirements for RFD registration?

L&B ask for a business plan, monitored alarm & suitable security...

how about cutting the middle man out and seeking an import license?

Easy done.
ALL goods sold wihin the EU are covered by warranty - as a mate had to point out to EB as he'd brought a Remington in from Germany direct & EB were made to do the warranty work as UK agents...not something they were keen to do nor happy to be made public knowledge!! oops, let slip on that one...
 
how about cutting the middle man out and seeking an import license?

In my experience... manufacturers are usually quite careful to protect the interests of their "main dealers" and will refer you to them and be very reluctant to let you bypass them.

However.... in a devolved Scotland... perhaps you can play on the potential issues that will arise with our seperate legislatures digressing even further... which they do seem set to do, whether we "go it alone" or not. Just a thought.
 
anyone here experience to tell me about the requirements for RFD registration? as in, living in purchased, rented accomodation, living in city/out of city. Having it as a side-business and/or main business, etc. etc.

any costs associated. storage/security/legals, etc.

sorry, just if you have time.

thanks

PKL

The application form is pretty simple however the authorities will expect you to make a go of it and and not just be a source of cheaper materials to your mates. As the other pms have said, you really need your own home for part time as local authorities or land lords are unlikely to be very forgiving or approving of your new venture. Security as already stated will be a major feature. You will be expected to have extensive security in the form of alarms, night lights and secure cabinets. Oddly enough, the authorities will consider a part time business but will emphasise the business side as stated previous.

Regarding trade access, this will probably be one of your biggest hurdles if you don't have a shop front. We are supposed to live in a free market economy but the reality is very different and you will find doors closed to you without a shop front and a high level of protectionism to main dealers. I can understand it to be honest as there is a high level of investment involved however they should also remember what it was like to start small.

Like any business you will need to build a trading history and for the first three to six months will be pro forma ie pay cash up front until you are deemed reliable enough to be given terms. Try the small dealers and traders first.

You might be lucky with banking but as soon as you tell them what business you are in you will hear the shutters come down.

In summary, are there a load of hurdles preventing you starting? Will you wonder if it is worth it? Hell yes but dont give in. Persevere and pursue your plan.
 
There is no issue in running an RFD from your home address and using your house or its garage as the business premises providing certain security requirements are adhered to.

Redcare refers to a particular product and is often misquoted as being the required system. It's not. Any monitored alarm system passed to a standard will generally suffice, monitored simply meaning that should it be activated then someone sitting at the alarm company office picks up the activation and passes the call on to the police for them to attend, as opposed to waiting for a neighbour to phone in saying they can hear an audible alarm sounding somewhere. The system will generally need to have door or window contacts and PIR sensors fitted within the property.

Night lights are generally not required as part of a security plan for an RFD but may be considered a good addition. I don't even know if I would describe the requirements as extensive to be honest, just suitable for the job of keeping firearms and other goods secure.

As for not having a shop front, well that is a distinct advantage to being an RFD at home re security. You are not advertising the fact. Most RFD's who do operate from home build up their business through word of mouth and perhaps the odd add in a magazine offering mail order. Once they get to be known, their customers by the nature of being a FAC/SGC holder are generally trustworthy and will only pass on the details of your whereabouts to other similarly minded folk.

One thing that will be considered is crime profiles for your area. If there are high instances of break-ins for example to surrounding properties then that may cause an issue as opposed to a quiet rural setting with one crime a year being reported. However, it can work the opposite way as well if the property is too remote.

Drop me a PM if you want to find out a bit more...
 
The application form is pretty simple however the authorities will expect you to make a go of it and and not just be a source of cheaper materials to your mates.

actually that is none of their business.
if I want to run a small business with limited stock and limited turnover so long at the terms of the security are in place there is nothing that says the Police need to review my business plan

you can tell them whatever they want to hear but ultimately it is up to you how much you sell and to whom

I had a long discussion with the Police and the major concern is security, visibility and delivery
 
actually that is none of their business.
if I want to run a small business with limited stock and limited turnover so long at the terms of the security are in place there is nothing that says the Police need to review my business plan

you can tell them whatever they want to hear but ultimately it is up to you how much you sell and to whom

I had a long discussion with the Police and the major concern is security, visibility and delivery

I agree with you Bewsher, merely reiterating what was told to me by the authorities when my application went in. Ultimately however they hold the final say as to whether or not you are deemed suitable. Fully agree with jamross on crime rates in the area however that is just as applicable to a normal FAC application. Intersted in how pkl gets on as I originally hail from West Lothian and used to remember what L&B were like once upon a time.
 
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