Firearms renewal and grant anyone doing anything about the generally abysmal turnround ?

[Len the dog]

Fortunately I come under the jurisdiction of Cleveland Police and their service is excellent, however I realise that not all forces are equal. However, I personally don’t think that the situation will improve for those suffering from poor service as there is simply no incentive for those forces to improve, if anything things will get worse because the Police, the government and our detractors all want to see the end of private ownership of firearms in the UK.
If this can be helped along by placing obstacles in our way then that is what will be done, more people will give up already held certificates and less people will take up new ones.

 

[Len the dog]

I went out Christmas Eve in Norwich with the Mrs, and I spent more money in 3 hours than my FAC/SGC costs for 5 years, now do you get more point that the service is unjustifiable at the present price range that it is charged at?

So really, it comes down to the point of you, either wait and be patient, or you have to pay more to get a better service

The danger is that we pay more and still get the same **** poor service, it’s not like we can shop around for another provider that is either cheaper or offers a better service.
Having just sent in my coterminous renewal a matter of days ago, I have to agree that £65 for 5 years is ludicrously cheap, especially when compared to the GP charging me £50 for a few minutes of box ticking (also reasonable IMO).

 

[Phil fox man]

I might be wrong but are there two queues at the firearms department,mine went through very easily as I use mine for my work and don't " chop and change " my guns and just want to get out and shoot.
and possibly another one for the ones who want to change guns and calibers on a frequent basis thus causing a backlog.
in my previous trade if you were a constant mitherer you got put to the back of the list.

 

[Leec6.5]

Again, that’s my argument, why have four or five guns that will do one job?

That’s where you hold up is!

 

[NullMac]

Why is it that England, Wales and NI have this problem ?
The Police in Scotland seem to be managing fine.

Because Police Scotland have been applying the rules for at least 5 years before the Plymouth shooting.

Presumably after that cock up some of the firearms departments in parts south are trying to work out who they licensed that they should not have which will take longer than doing it right the first time.

 

[Dave Lakes]

Again, that’s my argument, why have four or five guns that will do one job?

That’s where you hold up is!

Yeah but why is there a hold up? Because of the insistence on variations. We don’t want them, they arguably don’t improve safety, so it’s just a (largely) redundant process that takes up time being cited as the issue. Same for land clearances.

if you increase the cost of the certificate, we’ll just be paying for these same unwanted processes, with no guarantee that the service will improve. Sort the process first, then see if it needs more money to make it work.

 

[Night òwl]

I think licence holders get what they pay for currently and as said above you need to be organised and patient.
Would the service be improve if they doubled or tripled the cost of renewal , and no doubt alot would moan if the price did increase because we have been used to such a low cost service over the years.
For what we get over a 5 year period I struggle to see how they do it financially as it is , if carried out by a private company it would be a £1000 each time to cover costs .

 

[timbrayford]

Not at all, it’s just the fact that you lot need get your shite together and quit your bitching!

just because you’re paying £60odd for an FAC now, the same price it’s more or less been for the last 20 years that I’ve had an FAC, it proves the point that is a price that is not justifiable purely because they’ve not got the staff to get around, like I said, underfunded mismanaged and run by a public service that is already overstretched, it needs to be priced correctly, to be done efficiently!

Either that, or get prepared for a long wait again I ask what’s the problem?

Edit - in fact the FAC/SGC is the only thing that is priced so cheap, everything else has gone through the roof.

Alternatively you might say that its unduly expensive because it is based around the paper/ink/village bobby/era of 1920?

 

[McKenzie]

Seems straight forward & prompt in East Lothian.

 

[Jon P]

Alternatively you might say that its unduly expensive because it is based around the paper/ink/village bobby/era of 1920?

What was the price of an FAC licence in 1920 ? , I remember my first SGC in the late 1980 being a small white piece of paper with a police stamp over my name and address. Can’t remember the cost but was very cheap then.

 

[Len the dog]

Back in the day the police didn’t have so much pressure on their finite resources, they didn’t have to rigorously monitor social media for nasty name calling, their time wasn’t taken up handing out tea and sandwiches to protesters, and their calendar wasn’t littered with numerous rainbow coloured parades. So I would imagine the price of an FAC could be pegged to a very reasonable amount.
Unfortunately it will only get worse in a few years because they will start to see a torrent of claims from within their ranks for arthritic knees brought on by officers having to rest their entire bulk on one.

 

[Leec6.5]

Alternatively you might say that its unduly expensive because it is based around the paper/ink/village bobby/era of 1920?

You can cling onto that dream of you like

 

[Mike L]

Ah bless, fell flat………..again

 

[timbrayford]

What was the price of an FAC licence in 1920 ? , I remember my first SGC in the late 1980 being a small white piece of paper with a police stamp over my name and address. Can’t remember the cost but was very cheap then.

2s 6d for a renewal 5s for the initial grant or in todays money around £ 5.50 and £11.00 respectively

 

[timbrayford]

You can cling onto that dream of you like

2s 6d for renewal & 5s for grant , loads cheaper than today, in real terms this equates to around £ 5.50 & £ 11.00

 

[Leec6.5]

Ah bless, fell flat………..again

Do your shoe laces up then you won’t fall over !

 

[timbrayford]

2s 6d for renewal & 5s for grant , loads cheaper than today, in real terms this equates to around £ 5.50 & £ 11.00

2s 6d for renewal & 5s for grant , loads cheaper than today, in real terms this equates to around £ 5.50 & £ 11.00

In comparison driving licences cost 5s when introduced in 1903 and now cost £21.50 for 10 years. On the face of it £10 for a 10 year FAC/SGC looks to be a fair charge

 

[Foxyboy43]

Be careful what you wish for. FACs were increased to £90 5 or more years ago in NI on the promise of a new system and very fast turnaround times. Service is now dreadfully poor - despite being raised to Command Gold (CC) level - last figures available were a backlog of 5,000 and growing.
Another example of computerising a bad system instead of sorting the overly complex and cumbersome one out first and taking the opportunity to move FACs to 10 years or even life duration.

 

[Leec6.5]

Be careful what you wish for. FACs were increased to £90 5 or more years ago in NI on the promise of a new system and very fast turnaround times. Service is now dreadfully poor - despite being raised to Command Gold (CC) level - last figures available were a backlog of 5,000 and growing.
Another example of computerising a bad system instead of sorting the overly complex and cumbersome one out first and taking the opportunity to move FACs to 10 years or even life duration.

What’s £90 really?

Not a great deal what does that cover, an FEO travelling around the block to see two maybe three home inspections in a day in fact that wouldn’t even cover a days wage and fuel and running of the vehicle

 

[Namman]

Again, that’s my argument, why have four or five guns that will do one job?

That’s where you hold up is!

Who needs enemies from outside when we have opinions like this.
Frankly I am appalled with some of the posts on this topic.
Apathy and acceptance of a less than ideal situation will do the sport no good.