Franchi Matt
Well-Known Member
Prohibited- maybe not technically.
Excluded- hopefully.
Driving record preventing obtaining a license?
- Thread starter Chefmihalis
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Excluded- hopefully.
Brighty3006
Well-Known Member
No way
Stalker62
Well-Known Member
In particular, the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exclusions and Exceptions) (Scotland) Order 2013 (“the 2013 Order”) specifies certain categories of proceedings and questions which are excluded from the protections under section 4(1) and (2) of the 1974 Act. These include (a) proceedings under the Firearms Act 1968 (“the 1968 Act”) in respect of the grant, renewal, variation or revocation of a firearm certificate, shot gun certificate or specified permit, and (b) any question asked, say in an application form, for the purpose of assessing a person’s suitability to hold such a certificate or permit. Accordingly, applicants for a firearm or shot gun certificate must disclose all spent convictions when asked for this information, and the police may consider this information (regardless of the nature and date of the conviction(s)) when determining the application. Although recent amendments1 to the 2013 Order have qualified the requirement to disclose all spent convictions, those qualifications do not apply to the exclusions relating to firearms licensing, which is about protecting the public from lethal weapons falling into the wrong hands.
Woodsmoke
Well-Known Member
Firearms, drugs, and alcohol are mutually exclusive. As mentioned several times above, you've been caught demonstrating poor judgement and a disregard for the law on two separate occasions, both while in charge of a vehicle, and both relatively recently. I'm afraid your chances of being granted an FAC anytime soon are pretty remote.
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I won't repeat what others have said, but I think they are very likely to be correct. Plymouth has made forces even more risk averse and, if media reports are to be believed, they are revoking certificates for things which arguably should not lead to a revocation (to be clear, what you describe should).
The best person to speak to is your local FEO, and be frank about the circumstances of your offences. If you play them down to get a positive answer, don't be surprised if when you actually apply the response isn't the one you expected. I wouldn't expect them to give the ok at this stage (and, for what it's worth, don't think they should), but you might get some pointers about how to get yourself into a position to be considered, and how long that might take.
Also keep in mind that the FEO can look at all circumstances, which includes suspicion of offences as well as convictions. Given you have been convicted of drug driving, there is an inescapable conclusion that you have also possessed drugs.
It is also worth having a think about the circumstances of your offences (I'm not suggesting you put them on here) but if your drink driving was only a little over the limit it may not cast the same doubt on your character as if you were double it (for example) or if it followed a lengthy police chase. To be clear, I'm not suggesting being a little over is ok, it isn't, only that there are things you could do to make it even worse.
As others have said, convictions are never spent for these purposes. However, putting some time between the offence and application can't hurt as it might allow you to say that you have learned from your errors. Were I in your position, and I really wanted a license, I'd have a serious think about why you found yourself in the situations you describe and then work out how to ensure those situations aren't repeated, e.g. keeping bad company, not having the right coping strategies etc. It can't hurt if, in some years time, you can explain to the FEO why you made those mistakes and why they won't be repeated because you've addressed the causes.
In any case, you will always be on thin ice. If you do manage (in future) to get a license and repeat anything like that behaviour, I can't see you being granted any leeway at all.
The best person to speak to is your local FEO, and be frank about the circumstances of your offences. If you play them down to get a positive answer, don't be surprised if when you actually apply the response isn't the one you expected. I wouldn't expect them to give the ok at this stage (and, for what it's worth, don't think they should), but you might get some pointers about how to get yourself into a position to be considered, and how long that might take.
Also keep in mind that the FEO can look at all circumstances, which includes suspicion of offences as well as convictions. Given you have been convicted of drug driving, there is an inescapable conclusion that you have also possessed drugs.
It is also worth having a think about the circumstances of your offences (I'm not suggesting you put them on here) but if your drink driving was only a little over the limit it may not cast the same doubt on your character as if you were double it (for example) or if it followed a lengthy police chase. To be clear, I'm not suggesting being a little over is ok, it isn't, only that there are things you could do to make it even worse.
As others have said, convictions are never spent for these purposes. However, putting some time between the offence and application can't hurt as it might allow you to say that you have learned from your errors. Were I in your position, and I really wanted a license, I'd have a serious think about why you found yourself in the situations you describe and then work out how to ensure those situations aren't repeated, e.g. keeping bad company, not having the right coping strategies etc. It can't hurt if, in some years time, you can explain to the FEO why you made those mistakes and why they won't be repeated because you've addressed the causes.
In any case, you will always be on thin ice. If you do manage (in future) to get a license and repeat anything like that behaviour, I can't see you being granted any leeway at all.
Chefmihalis
New Member
That went down a little harder than I expected. Cheers to the lovely bunch of perfect human beings who judged rather than just offering a helpful opinion lol.
Thanks to those of you that actually gave useful answers, much appreciated! I think I'll carry on going through the gun club route, I've spoken to the owner of the club and he knows about my past - he thinks that with time, education and training I may be able to obtain a license. I just thought I'd post here to see if anyone had been in a similar situation and what their outcome was.
Thanks to those of you that actually gave useful answers, much appreciated! I think I'll carry on going through the gun club route, I've spoken to the owner of the club and he knows about my past - he thinks that with time, education and training I may be able to obtain a license. I just thought I'd post here to see if anyone had been in a similar situation and what their outcome was.
Thanks for taking the time to type all that up, much appreciated. As you said bad company and bad choices, all my own responsibility. I know that they have just appointed a new FEO in my area, as you mentioned I may look at reaching out to them and speaking to them about it before making the application. Thanks for the advice
Triggermortis
Well-Known Member
So, if not a prohibited person, it’s not automatically a no chance for a grant?
Pete1774
Well-Known Member
If you are not already a member of a club you will not get a FAC regardless of any convictions. You need to join a club first, then apply for a licence. I doubt your application would be approved with your recent convictions and you may even have trouble geting club membership.
Stalker62
Well-Known Member
There is a hypothetical chance he would get an FAC.
The reality is rather more depressing for him.
8x57
Distinguished Member
A bit of a grey area that one Pete. As you not doubt know all applications for club membership of H.O. approved rifle and pistol clubs must be notified to the Chief Constable. The OP hasn't actually been refused a FAC/SGC certificate yet, in all probability he would be at this present time if he were to apply. I think the probability is that the firearms department would suggest/apply influence to the club that membership should be denied. However they may say keep your nose clean and we will review the situation in 3 years time.
Woodsmoke
Well-Known Member
You've left yourself wide open to some fairly straightforward comments, to be honest. Actions have consequences, and as driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol has the potential to kill perfectly innocent people I personally think you've got away very lightly indeed. We're not going to pat you on the shoulder and tell you everything will be ok
Bavarianbrit
Well-Known Member
Judgemental? No I think the replies were more realistic than you are. Decisions made do bring consequences, emigration might be your future way into shooting. Good luck with the future.
You asked for a judgement on the facts provided. The people judged that you wouldn't be a suitable candidate to hold a firearm/shotgun certificate. It's obviously not the answer you wanted to hear.
These are not ancient offences, committed years ago when you were a much younger man. They're very recent. Be patient, in the future you might stand a chance but I'd say at the moment, the chance is slim to none
These are not ancient offences, committed years ago when you were a much younger man. They're very recent. Be patient, in the future you might stand a chance but I'd say at the moment, the chance is slim to none
Agree with most of what has been written so far. From personal experience, I have a conviction for driving whilst over the prescribed limit of alcohol (Stupid shop run the morning after a night out). Received a hefty fine and 20 month ban. Disclosed all information on my first application (8 year gap between offence and applying). Was never brought up in any subsequent interviews etc.
I cannot comment on the drug driving side of life.
I cannot comment on the drug driving side of life.
Sonicdmb73
Well-Known Member
I have a few friends who have been in trouble with the police in their past. Who now have SGC/FAC. The emphasis is on the word “past”. In each case it was a number of years before they got a SGC then after a number of years of shotgun ownership. Some of them got FAC’s but it was after years.First proper post here, I am looking at applying for my license in the next few months - once TVP start allowing applications again. I have a DR10 (Drink drive) from 2016 and a DG10 (Driving under the influence of cannabis) from 2018.
What are the chances of being accepted for a license? I'll obviously be open about everything on the application. I'm also planning on joining a club with a range to learn proper gun safety and practice shooting before I apply for my license.
Thanks
Do yourself a favour and don’t make a formal application until you are likely to have it granted. A refusal has to be stated on any future application.
By all means try to speak to your local FEO. They are the person who you have to get past first application wise and might offer some advice on what they would like to see. Timescale wise etc going forward from here.
In the meantime you can use an airgun and joining a club probably won’t harm any future application.
I have no idea how you ended up in the situations you did. Although I think many would probably be surprised how easy it is to be slightly over the DD limit (and probably should think more about if they should do one or the other), however no such excuses for drug’s, they’re all illegal.
So for any future application they will be looking for and need to be convinced that. You have matured and learned from your mistakes and that they can trust (as much as they can) you are not likely to repeat them.
It’s not impossible but it will be a case of slowly slowly catchy monkey ie time waiting keeping your nose clean.
You have certainly made it an uphill task. But you can get involved without a certificate (assuming you are not prohibited) clay shooting or paid stalking. Are a couple of ways or airgun target shooting, your local gun club. Then it’s a waiting game.
By show you have changed I don’t just mean don’t get caught again. I mean look seriously at your peer group and potentially remove some of them from your social group. Associate with known drug users and you will always be doubted.
I don’t know you or your exact circumstances, I would suggest that you are brutally honest with yourself and think would you grant yourself a FAC at the moment? Do you knowing the circumstances of both offences and any surrounding factors. Think your lifestyle and or attitude has changed enough to be trusted? Do you honestly believe that you can convince the FLD at this point in time?
On the face of it I think it is probably too soon, will a future application be successful? Possibly.
TH4
Well-Known Member
After all the negative comments and judgements, my advise would be join your club, learn safe gun handling and learn to shoot while showing the other members you are a responsible and safe person. In the meantime speak to TVP firearms and ask them when they think an application may be successful. You will find a lot of the people on here are very holier than thou and have never done anything wrong in their life, not that they admit to anyway. Good luck with your start in shooting.
Franchi Matt
Well-Known Member
Don't take offense mate no ones perfect, from what I read you have recieved good honest advice from a group of people who recently have had new rules and regulations bestowed on them because of the wrong people having firearms- if your that passionate about the sport you would understand the reaction you have recieved.
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