Interesting positon from Police on FAC Conditions

[Orion]

More of the same firearms departments making it up as they go along. Ask them where in the firearm laws or HOG2016 it states that as you are having trouble finding it.

This ^^^^

Suggest the OP read chapters 10 & 13 of HOG thoroughly and then question the ‘policy’ that has apparently been manufactured by the FLD - “knowledge is power” (Sir Francis Bacon).
Then request that his case be considered on it’s own merits as per well established precedent.

 

[jer]

I think you may have made the mistake of asking your FEO, too many of them have little clue about what the law says on firearms licensing or they have a personal agenda. I would deal directly with the licensing manager and very politely explain your experience, if you get no joy multiple regular requests from you to clear/assess land will probably change their mind.

 

[kimh]

TVP did me well, I found three new pieces of land walked them on three occasions with the FEO and I think he learnt a thing or two from a shooters perspective (No Dunlop wellies on the second walkabout for a start) they removed my restriction when I asked and gave me a pistol also when I asked

 

[TH4]

Thames valley have had some very good FEOs and also some bad ones like the one that pointed my 416 out of the window and pulled the trigger to see if it was loaded and asked if my 308 was semi automatic!!!!!!

 

[paul o']

TH4 bet he came from Essex

 

[Ade8mm]

Does anyone know what experience/knowledge/qualification a FEO is required to have if any) before he/she can get the job as a FEO and before he/she assess ground for suitability?
Does the Home Office have any minimum requirement on this?

Maybe I should email Priti Patell

And as for saying ground is suitable for a .17 but not a .308 (for example) is complete bllx and the old bill are asking for problems going down that route.
It is either a safe back-stop or it is not. IMHO !

I have met at least one FEO who didn't know the difference between a shotgun and a rifle so it is a fair question methinks.

 

[paul o']

Essex used to be jobs for the boys , One was a RFD poacher turned gamekeeper he was full of his own self importance it begged belief , we now have guy's that fully know there Stuff some ex Firearms or are very clued up thank god , the old lags have gone or are Dead

 

[Whitebeard]

Does anyone know what experience/knowledge/qualification a FEO is required to have if any) before he/she can get the job as a FEO and before he/she assess ground for suitability?
Does the Home Office have any minimum requirement on this?

Maybe I should email Priti Patell

And as for saying ground is suitable for a .17 but not a .308 (for example) is complete bllx and the old bill are asking for problems going down that route.
It is either a safe back-stop or it is not. IMHO !

I have met at least one FEO who didn't know the difference between a shotgun and a rifle so it is a fair question methinks.

Interesting one this, when i applied for a 17 Fireball it was taking some time, so i spoke to the Firearms licensing manager on the phone who apologised for the delay as she had to ask one of her colleagues what the difference was between that and a 17HMR, the so called expert was on holiday hence the delay. This lady is a first class Firearms licensing manager and sits on FELWG

 

[Essex stalker]

Essex used to be jobs for the boys , One was a RFD poacher turned gamekeeper he was full of his own self importance it begged belief , we now have guy's that fully know there Stuff some ex Firearms or are very clued up thank god , the old lags have gone or are Dead

I agree, I have always found the recent Essex FEO,s that my kids and I have had dealings with to be very knowledgable and also very helpful. In most cases I think they have made a judgement on us within the first few minutes of being in the house. Also find it helps if you can make them a decent cup of coffee!

 

[Ade8mm]

So it seems (so far) as I suspected. No one on SD has a clue as to what, if any, training or experience is required in order to be a FEO.

 

[Ade8mm]

I agree, I have always found the recent Essex FEO,s that my kids and I have had dealings with to be very knowledgable and also very helpful. In most cases I think they have made a judgement on us within the first few minutes of being in the house. Also find it helps if you can make them a decent cup of coffee!

Yes, I strongly believe they generally know who the good guys are, which is fine but that does not answer the question

 

[CarlW]

I have only ever had good FEOs. Relatively knowledgable but also humble (and smart) enough to learn something.

I remember once showing one my half-full 32-gun safe. His response was fabulous: "It'd be a shame not to fill it up, wouldn't it?"

 

[Liveonce]

Unfortunately like most things in life change now is constant. For many years I was fortunate enough to have the same FEO, he got to know you and your immediate family, but sadly he died in an accident, now they look to reorganise move the FEOs around the postcodes on purpose so you hardly get opportunity to get to know each other.
For as the FEO I had for many years once said to me, it’s not about the firearm but the people who own them.

 

[paul o']

typed it in and the web spat out the info : Firearms Enquiry Officer - College of Policing

So it seems (so far) as I suspected. No one on SD has a clue as to what, if any, training or experience is required in order to be a FEO.

 

[kennyc]

When I was with Thames valley my Feo said something completely different.

TVP wouldn't open mine until it was 3 years old

 

[kes]

Yorkshire are known to issue open certs from the grant. Someone - I make no further comment should take this as a test case - utter and complete twaddle, masquerading as the past precedent and more heinous - the law.

 

[kimh]

So it seems (so far) as I suspected. No one on SD has a clue as to what, if any, training or experience is required in order to be a FEO.

They are to be impartial administrators, taking the applications as they read them. Other more senior departments (Home Office) are there to advise on technicalities, it's looked down upon if they are from the shooting fraternity when applying as they are deemed impartial, however, it's a progression to retirement if you are ex AFO

 

[Greenmist]

TVP used to have and ex soldier, ex firearms officer as an FEO, he was an absolute joy to deal with and very pleasant and knowledgable . Most of the PC's were sound as well, I've always seen them as having good staff but poor management and policies

 

[ian67]

I have a friend whose wife is a WPC.
When she returned from maternity leave they put her on FEO duties.
She has no firearms experience and zero interest in them.
In fact my mate says she's quite anti about them.
She even told him he would not get a .308 for a first rifle.
I ran him through the process and kindly told him to fk his wife off regarding not to apply for a .308, he has access to red and roe.
Anyway long story short he got the .308 and .22LR.
This is in Scotland.

 

[Farmer_J]

My TVP feo is a shooter, we talked through different calibres. The use of field craft etc. He even recommended I go up to a .308 rather than the .243 I requested because I was shooting fallow. Good guy, I hope he’s still there come renewal.