First FAC Grant Application - General Queries

[Fenceton]

Evening all. I intend to apply for my first FAC grant in a couple of months time and wanted to get a bit of advice on a few points. Firstly, I understand the cost of applying for a FAC/anything to do with a FAC is expected to skyrocket soon, however I’m not in a position to apply just yet, so that’s why it’ll be in a couple of months.

My first query is regarding calibres and moderators. I’ll be applying for a .243 calibre and ideally I’d like a moderator for the sake of my hearing. With this being my first ever application, would either of these requests potentially create an issue? I’d be applying via Nottinghamshire Police, so not sure if anyone has any experience? My friend who stalks says sometimes forces can be a bit funny with a first timer applying for anything over a .22. My reasoning for applying will be deer stalking, and on land which has deer that require a .243, so hopefully this covers that?

My second query is in regards to the storage safe and FEO communication. Before I apply, do I need to have my storage fitted and in place in advance of someone coming to inspect? Or is this something I can discuss with an FEO once my application is in before they come to visit, in order to avoid fitting something/doing work that won’t be acceptable? Essentially the most ideal location for my gun safe would be in a downstairs room, with no visibility from outside. However, it would be in a room that would be potentially passed through if I have people over visiting. My thinking was to install a timber stud boxing around the cabinet to match the wall (it would be in a corner). With a bit of skirting around the bottom it would essentially be completely hidden unless you knew it was openable boxing and not a corner wall.

Finally, as I mentioned above I will be applying with Nottinghamshire police, so does anyone have any general information/experience in dealing with them?

Like I said this will be my first application for a FAC, so any other guidance anyone thinks could be useful is more than appreciated.

TIA

 

[User00057]

There are loads of post asking the same sort of thing mate. Best thing is to search first application.
As far as what you can have, it’s really a totally individual thing and no one on here can give you a definitive answer on that. All forces are different and it’s down to them at the end of the day.
If you can show justification for what you are applying for you have given yourself the best chance.

 

[Sandyb]

Best get your application in now… you’ll save a few quid on their new fees

 

[castbullets.co.uk]

I'm curious - why are you not in a position to apply? You seem to have everything you might need ie a good reason, meaning that with the upcoming increase in fees you are better off acting now rather than later. You might find that your interview visit is not for months or longer, meaning your delay now has only served to cost you more money with no other benefit?

Regarding the cabinet, it is better to have it sited prior to your FEO's visit. If you don't, that'll hold up your application until you do and will mean another visit from the FEO = more delays, more hassle. Your location is possibly OK, possibly not. Casual visitors to the house should not be able to discern that you have a gun cabinet. Concealing it or making it so that it isn't readily identifiable as a gun cabinet is sufficient.

From the Firearms Security Handbook 2020, 2.10:

Any firearm security cabinet etc. should be sited out of view from people both inside and outside the building. Securing to suitable building walls within built-in furnishings, e.g. wardrobes, cupboards, etc. can prove effective.

Wait and get their opinion if you must but in my opinion what you have said is more than likely going to be sufficient. Crack on with your application!

 

[BenBhoy]

I'm with notts. Pm me if ya like.

 

[sy247]

When I applied for a deer calibre i already had a FAC for 5 years for target shooting and had a number of small and pistol calibre firearms. I applied for a .270 for deer and they were very keen that I had completed the DSC1, which I had. They wanted to see evidence that I had stalking booked (I was doing paid stalks at the mine) to show good reason.

If you haven't done much centrefire shooting before I think joining a home office approved rifle club is a good thing to do. That makes it very straightforward to get a suitable rifle and demonstrate you are experienced with it. Then get it conditioned for deer.

 

[Fenceton]

When I applied for a deer calibre i already had a FAC for 5 years for target shooting and had a number of small and pistol calibre firearms. I applied for a .270 for deer and they were very keen that I had completed the DSC1, which I had. They wanted to see evidence that I had stalking booked (I was doing paid stalks at the mine) to show good reason.

If you haven't done much centrefire shooting before I think joining a home office approved rifle club is a good thing to do. That makes it very straightforward to get a suitable rifle and demonstrate you are experienced with it. Then get it conditioned for deer.

Thanks for the information on your experience.
In response to you @DRZ , the reason I’m holding off on applying yet ties in with the above. I have my DSC1 booked, but not until March, following this I will be doing some local paid stalks and should have permission to stalk on a friends land. So I wanted to wait until then for a strong application. I could use the bookings as evidence now? But I don’t know how strong of an application that would be.

 

[gixer1]

Thanks for the information on your experience.
In response to you @DRZ , the reason I’m holding off on applying yet ties in with the above. I have my DSC1 booked, but not until March, following this I will be doing some local paid stalks and should have permission to stalk on a friends land. So I wanted to wait until then for a strong application. I could use the bookings as evidence now? But I don’t know how strong of an application that would be.

Don’t wait - get it in now and make sure you show the booking for DSC1 to the FEO, there should be nothing preventing this application being successful.

Get the cabinet installed, if you can hide it in a stud then all the better.

Do not wait as you will pay over double.

Regards,
Gixer

 

[Scotty99]

A lot depends on how they view your “good reason”. If you have permission to shoot on land with deer present and you have someone to take you out stalking and act as your mentor in the early days to show you the scopes until you have gained experience, then you might be ok to get a .243 with a deer condition in it. You will not get an open licence the licence will be conditioned for the land in which you have permission. They might insist you get DSC 1 before they will condition the licence for deer. As others have said get you application in now not just save money but it may take a long while to be processed. As for the cabinet you will have to have it installed ready for inspection when your FEO makes the visit to your home just prior to the FAC being issued.

 

[Fenceton]

Thanks all. I might go for it now then

 

[sy247]

Thanks all. I might go for it now then

You have got nothing to lose.

 

[Sandyb]

From re-reading your post, I would comment as follows…

Firstly, by the time your Doctor or other medical service has completed the proforma, you’ve missed the window before the fee price increases.. As these can take a month or more in some cases.
Secondly, until your application has been processed & approved, or you’ve spoken with the FEO, I’d be hesitant about purchasing and fixing any safes, you never know.. You can always purchase and install these prior to your first actual firearm acquisition.. So long as you’ve any area designated and a compliant safe in mind..

 

[castbullets.co.uk]

Secondly, until your application has been processed & approved, or you’ve spoken with the FEO, I’d be hesitant about purchasing and fixing any safes, you never know.. You can always purchase and install these prior to your first actual firearm acquisition.. So long as you’ve any area designated and a compliant safe in mind..

I don't know about his force but mine will not grant an initial FAC without a cabinet physically installed and checked prior to grant. I accept that not every force does things the same way but I've never read of a force not having this as a firm requirement.

Cabinets aren't cheap but nor are they fabulously expensive. They also do sell on the second hand market so although it will be a less I wouldn't worry too much about it myself unless the money lost is going to really bother you financially.

 

[Brno2e]

I am in Nott. They like you to have a DSC 1 for grant of a 243 for deer.
Factor the cost of this in too.

 

[VSS]

I am in Nott. They like you to have a DSC 1 for grant of a 243 for deer.
Factor the cost of this in too.

What they like and what they can actually insist upon and two different things.

 

[Fenceton]

Not sure why I didn’t think of it in the first instance but got a much more suitable place for the safe upstairs, so that is sorted.
Thanks for continued advice

 

[VSS]

Not sure why I didn’t think of it in the first instance but got a much more suitable place for the safe upstairs, so that is sorted.
Thanks for continued advice

It's not so sensible if you have to take your boots off and go traipsing through the house every time you want a gun out.

 

[Fenceton]

It's not so sensible if you have to take your boots off and go traipsing through the house every time you want a gun out.

That won’t be an issue