Open license

[Ryan Malcolm]

Hi guys. I am wanting to apply for an open license, and was wondering what is the best way to go about it?

 

[Tazz]

I am assuming that you are starting from a “restricted” FAC currently. I would start with a conversation with your FEO to see what “experience and timescale“ are they expecting on your part to open your ticket up

 

[Ryan Malcolm]

I am assuming that you are starting from a “restricted” FAC currently. I would start with a conversation with your FEO to see what “experience and timescale“ are they expecting on your part to open your ticket up

Yes I am. I have had my fac since 2019

 

[Sampo]

If you believe you have considerable experience with the centerfire, have permissions in your name, talk to the FEO. He/ she needs to justify it to the higher up and the more you can collate such as letter of recommendation, permissions, dates you have been out to showcase the experience etc, the better. Talking to FEO is definitely the first step in my view.

 

[MarkD123]

I went from initial grant (closed) to open within 6 months.
I just needed to lay out my good reason and justify why I wasn’t a risk to go from closed to open in such a short time.
One good reason is if you have landowners contacting you to go and control ‘vermin’ on their land.
Another good reason, if you don’t have the above good reason, is going on paid stalks (which you would need an open condition for).
I was just honest, didn’t over elaborate on anything and laid out why I didn’t present a risk in them granting me an open condition.
Mind you, I’d had shotguns for years and years at the time so that would have gone in my favour too.

 

[Ryan Malcolm]

If you believe you have considerable experience with the centerfire, have permissions in your name, talk to the FEO. He/ she needs to justify it to the higher up and the more you can collate such as letter of recommendation, permissions, dates you have been out to showcase the experience etc, the better. Talking to FEO is definitely the first step in my view.

Thanks for the advice

 

[Ryan Malcolm]

I went from initial grant (closed) to open within 6 months.
I just needed to lay out my good reason and justify why I wasn’t a risk to go from closed to open in such a short time.
One good reason is if you have landowners contacting you to go and control ‘vermin’ on their land.
Another good reason, if you don’t have the above good reason, is going on paid stalks (which you would need an open condition for).
I was just honest, didn’t over elaborate on anything and laid out why I didn’t present a risk in them granting me an open condition.
Mind you, I’d had shotguns for years and years at the time so that would have gone in my favour too.

Thanks for the advice

 

[Tim.243]

Hi guys. I am wanting to apply for an open license, and was wondering what is the best way to go about it?

How would you explain why you need the conditions "relaxed" on your current FAC?

Tips can be found

The *calibre RIFLE/COMBINATION/SMOOTH-BORE GUN/SOUND MODERATOR and ammunition shall be used for shooting vermin including fox, and ground game/ deer (delete as appropriate) and any other lawful quarry, and for zeroing on ranges, on land deemed suitable by the chief officer of police for the area where the land is situated and over which the holder has lawful authority to shoot. (The words underlined may be omitted once the certificate holder has demonstrated competence. There is no set time for this and each case should be considered on its individual merits).

 

[WellieP]

I'm in the same position and last month I sent through a list/log of my stalking experience, two references and a letter outlining my understanding of safety plus the practical reasons I need my ticket opening (work, obtaining permissions, etc). I've done my best to 'build a case' that shows I'm ready and suitable for an open cert, so just waiting with fingers crossed now.

I was told that some people shoot regularly and so build experience quickly and get their cert opened earlier. Others may shoot once or twice a year and so the process will take longer. It's case by case.