Moving from Surrey to Lincolnshire

[Xtrema]

I have recently moved from Surrey to Lincolnshire.
The Lincolnshire FEO has just visited and everything is fine but he wanted to take my FAC and SGC with him; they were only renewed last August.
Is this normal? I asked him what would happen if the police stopped me whilst out shooting and he said it would be fine as long as i had ID with me, then they would know who i am etc.
I should have photocopied them i guess but i'm told photocopies are not acceptable. He insisted on taking them anyway.

 

[Pedro]

They'll be just re-issuing them within Lincolnshire. Giving them numbers appertaining to them and with their logo, printing them and returning them I'd say. Shouldn't be anything to worry about. If there were any issues I 'd say the FEO would have mentioned them. Didn't the FEO say something like that?

 

[Xtrema]

He just said i should get them back in 2 to 3 weeks.
I will feel awkward, meanwhile,, out shooting without them.

 

[Free range rob]

I would have thought Pedro hit the nail on the head.
However, I always photo copy mine before sending for a variation or such like, paper evidence (although not original copies) are handy to keep check of any changes, omissions or errors.

 

[Stalker62]

I will feel awkward, meanwhile, out shooting without them.

Relax.

The world will keep spinning.

I have never taken my FAC/SGC to any shooting I have done.

We are all on the PNC (Police National Computer), and it is the work of a moment for them to check that you are legit.

I have taken 'photographs' on my phone, of my FAC/SGC as my own little 'comfort blanket" - who has a photocopier at home?

My local Sheriff's department has my 'real' FAC at the moment...it's all good.

 

[cjm1066]

My recent variation in Northamptonshire, they wanted my old certificate handed in before they gave me the new one. It makes sense as they don't want 2 certificates out there!

At renewal I give them as photo copy of the current certificate, so they have all the changes for their records and keep the current certificate - that might help in this instance?

 

[saddler]

I never hand over any paperwork until the new paperwork is ready.
The documents that he took away are not his, they were issued to you by a different force.

I've done this a few times moving from one address to another and the latter move was a change from Scotland to England = the less said about the admin. on that one the better; but IF I'd let the new FEO take over I'd have lost half my guns and had to engrave new maker names and serial numbers on what was left as he was unable to read the transcript correctly.

Not a case of two sets of docs in circulation, more a case of checking the new set against old, then handing the old ones over as you sign the new ones in their presence.

 

[Pete1774]

I always carry a colour photocopy of my FAC in my car. My (Lincs) FEO said that if I was stopped the officers would check my FAC by radio to HQ or on their in-car system regardless of any paper copy produced. Lincs Police Firearms Dept are usually very quick and easy to deal with so you should be fine.

 

[TH4]

I never send in my old certificate just a photocopy. At least I can still get ammo then if I need it.

 

[Xtrema]

I never hand over any paperwork until the new paperwork is ready.
The documents that he took away are not his, they were issued to you by a different force.

I've done this a few times moving from one address to another and the latter move was a change from Scotland to England = the less said about the admin. on that one the better; but IF I'd let the new FEO take over I'd have lost half my guns and had to engrave new maker names and serial numbers on what was left as he was unable to read the transcript correctly.

Not a case of two sets of docs in circulation, more a case of checking the new set against old, then handing the old ones over as you sign the new ones in their presence.

Well, that's what i thought but i had no choice as he folded them up and put them in his pocket.

 

[Xtrema]

I always carry a colour photocopy of my FAC in my car. My (Lincs) FEO said that if I was stopped the officers would check my FAC by radio to HQ or on their in-car system regardless of any paper copy produced. Lincs Police Firearms Dept are usually very quick and easy to deal with so you should be fine.

Thanks Pete.
It would make a change for me to have a licensing Dept which is quick and easy as Surrey/Sussex were far from quick and not particularly easy to deal with either.
You're not too far from me by the way, I am south east of Boston, almost on the marshes.

 

[deerstalker.308]

He just said i should get them back in 2 to 3 weeks.
I will feel awkward, meanwhile,, out shooting without them.

I cannot recall one time in 15+ years stalking that I’ve had my licence on my person. It stays safely at home, I can prove who I am with my driving license etc, they can check all of that electronically easily enough. I have got a photo of my license on my phone should anyone really press the matter but that’s it.

 

[Warren79]

When I moved to lincs they bought my new certificates with them when they did there checks and swapped them for my Thames valley ones, mind you when it came to renewal they took almost a year to do it!

 

[Apthorpe]

Relax.

The world will keep spinning.

I have never taken my FAC/SGC to any shooting I have done.

We are all on the PNC (Police National Computer), and it is the work of a moment for them to check that you are legit.

Although I have been with a friend who had his guns seized when stopped by the police and didn't have his certificate on him. Was a major PITA resolving the situation and getting them back.

I have taken 'photographs' on my phone, of my FAC/SGC as my own little 'comfort blanket" - who has a photocopier at home?

My local Sheriff's department has my 'real' FAC at the moment...it's all good.

 

[Davee]

Xtrema if your FEO was Barry P. then no worries, straight as a die, ex Interceptor I think, can appear to be a bit gruff but the best I've met. You're not that far away from me either. I always carry a colour copy of my FAC and SGC as it gives them a number to look for as opposed to a full computer search, and reduces the tension whilst they wait for a reply.

 

[Xtrema]

Hi Davee. Yep, you're about 20 minutes north from me.

 

[Xtrema]

Is it usual to be asked about social media accounts? I was asked about that also.

 

[Stalker_AG]

Is it usual to be asked about social media accounts? I was asked about that also.

What did they ask? I think this is a new thing becoming more common.

 

[Xtrema]

He wanted to know what social media accounts i had. He didn't ask for details, just which ones e.g. Facebook, Twitter etc.
In all my years of possessing an FAC and SGC i have never been asked such questions.

 

[LincsWolfie]

He wanted to know what social media accounts i had. He didn't ask for details, just which ones e.g. Facebook, Twitter etc.
In all my years of possessing an FAC and SGC i have never been asked such questions.

Yes it is after the last shooting down south.