If firearms licensing was to be reformed what should it look like?

[weblyish]

Get rid of the whole open/closed land clearence thing. It doesn't seem to have caused any problems in scotland.

If you've been deemed suitable to own a rifle, surely a part of that assessment is if you have the sense/experience/training to determine whether something is a safe shot for that calibre? Similarly, if a piece of land is cleared up to say a 223, why is a 243 any more dangerous if we are trusted to make a judgement with regards to backstop etc.

I see someone else has mentioned on this thread about how a lot of these replies will be from the FAC holders perspective, and whilst this would be beneficial to FAC holders, theres no denying that removing closed tickets and land clearence would would ease what I imagine is quite the administrative burden.

I assume that when the police approve land up to a certain calibre there is no definite list of what is included ? (Also as usual I assume they will approve cartridges not calibres just for complexity)

are we working on ME or velocity or just making it up as you go along

I doubt I want to know the answer to this

 

[NickJ]

This is a bit pie in the sky thinking as this will probably never happen but it may be a useful exercise.
How could firearms licensing be reformed to streamline the process yet maintain or hopefully improve public safety?
There are clearly regular issues that crop up that clog the system, 1 for 1 variations and changing rifles and moderators immediately spring to mind. There are also substantial differences in decisions between constabularies that are often ridiculous.
How could the system be improved?
Centralisation of licensing?
Applying bands of calibres (eg can purchase/ hold up to three deer rifles between .243 and .300 that can be purchased and traded? Similar bands for fox, small vermin, game abroad, target rimfire, target centrefire etc.,.
Standardisation of ammunition allowance for each calibre unless a need for more can be proven?
Moderators off ticket?
Thoughts on a postcard please!!

One central firearms licensing authority staffed by informed people

 

[Jamoy1993]

Wishful thinking but i would love:

Fully Digital System with all functions able to happen through a secure web portal, with certain checks able to happen between RFD's and other certificate holders (to prevent instances like the one that just happened down south)
One Certificate but Different Categories:

1. Cat A: Shotguns,
2. Cat B: Rifles (Hunting, Target, Rimfire, Unrestricted Capacity Shotguns)
3. Cat C: Semi Auto Centre Fire Pistols and Rifles (All Purposes)
4. Cat D: Section 5 (Pretty much just for select fire, not easy to get just like it currently is)
5. Cat E: Destructive Devices? Anti Tank Launchers, Tank Cannons, Grenades ETC (Probably Sect 5)

Able to purchase any Firearms up to the amount you can securely hold. Maybe with certain security requirements above a certain count.

Remove limits on ammunition counts - if someone wanted to, they could easily stockpile more than they should. Most people won't buy more than they can shoot and safely store anyway.

Allow Semi-Automatic Centre-fire Pistols and Rifles in a way like in certain European countries. I think you need a certificate for 5 years before you are permitted to buy semi automatics in these countries. We could at least trial this by limiting the numbers initially. A good example would be Switzerlands system.

Moderators are permitted if you hold an FAC, no need to have them as a ticketed item.

No Requirements For Variations, Just Reporting of Acquisition and Disposal up to your safe storage limit.

 

[tackb]

Wishful thinking but i would love:

Fully Digital System with all functions able to happen through a secure web portal, with certain checks able to happen between RFD's and other certificate holders (to prevent instances like the one that just happened down south)
One Certificate but Different Categories:

1. Cat A: Shotguns,
2. Cat B: Rifles (Hunting, Target, Rimfire, Unrestricted Capacity Shotguns)
3. Cat C: Semi Auto Centre Fire Pistols and Rifles (All Purposes)
4. Cat D: Section 5 (Pretty just for select fire, not easy to get just like it currently is)
5. Cat E: Destructive Devices? Anti Tank Launchers, Tank Cannons, Grenades ETC (Probably Sect 5)

Able to purchase any Firearms up to the amount you can securely hold. Maybe with certain security requirements above a certain count.

Remove limits on ammunition counts - if someone wanted to, they could easily stockpile more than they should. Most people won't buy more than they can shoot and safely store anyway.

Allow Semi-Automatic Centre-fire Pistols and Rifles in a way like in certain European countries. I think you need a certificate for 5 years before you are permitted to buy semi automatics in these countries. We could at least trial this by limiting the numbers initially. A good example would be Switzerlands system.

Moderators are permitted if you hold an FAC, no need to have them as a ticketed item.

No Requirements For Variations, Just Reporting of Acquisition and Disposal up to your safe storage limit.

well that makes way too much sense to ever happen !

would cat E cover flame throwers ? asking for a friend..........

 

[Jamoy1993]

well that makes way too much sense to ever happen !

would cat E cover flame throwers ? asking for a friend..........

Yes!

 

[Hook'N'Bullet]

The .22 pistol ban should be repealed, it is an absolute absurdity and it enrages me that we are the only nation in Europe with an absolute prohibition on handguns and for 25+ years we have just tolerated this.

The concept of a coathanger/LBP is ludicrous and a constant reminder of the embarassing state of shooting in GB.

We cant get anything over a .22RF pistol in Ireland.

There are legacy holders, if you had one pre 2008, you could keep it and renew every 3 years no problem but after 2008 they stopped issuing new licenses on them. Shame really

 

[Jamoy1993]

We cant get anything over a .22RF pistol in Ireland.

There are legacy holders, if you had one pre 2008, you could keep it and renew every 3 years no problem but after 2008 they stopped issuing new licenses on them. Shame really

And in NI you can have Centerfire Pistols. And all over the rest of the mainland we have to have coathanger pistols

 

[Elshad]

We cant get anything over a .22RF pistol in Ireland.

There are legacy holders, if you had one pre 2008, you could keep it and renew every 3 years no problem but after 2008 they stopped issuing new licenses on them. Shame really

At least you can still get .22s though - I would absolutely settle for that in GB

 

[Hook'N'Bullet]

At least you can still get .22s though - I would absolutely settle for that in GB

You cant?! I would have thought you'd have grounds to get them based on Olympic shooting events. I think thats the only reason we can get them.

To be honest, I've no interest in a pistol here, once you have a license granted, you open yourself up a lot more to scrutiny by the Garda. Cant be bothered with any more hoops to jump through

 

[nf-fuse]

Get rid of the whole open/closed land clearence thing. It doesn't seem to have caused any problems in scotland.

If you've been deemed suitable to own a rifle, surely a part of that assessment is if you have the sense/experience/training to determine whether something is a safe shot for that calibre? Similarly, if a piece of land is cleared up to say a 223, why is a 243 any more dangerous if we are trusted to make a judgement with regards to backstop etc.

I see someone else has mentioned on this thread about how a lot of these replies will be from the FAC holders perspective, and whilst this would be beneficial to FAC holders, theres no denying that removing closed tickets and land clearence would would ease what I imagine is quite the administrative burden.

Yes I'm having a lot of problems because of land clearance.

Comments on here about how great it is is seem to come from people who've had an open ticket for donkeys years and a cabinet full of guns. I'm sure that's fine.

Actually getting in to stalking is quiet difficult.

 

[nf-fuse]

I assume that when the police approve land up to a certain calibre there is no definite list of what is included ? (Also as usual I assume they will approve cartridges not calibres just for complexity)

are we working on ME or velocity or just making it up as you go along

I doubt I want to know the answer to this

You know the answer.....

 

[Hook'N'Bullet]

Make it all digital.

Do the German system-exams and you must demonstrate a certain level of skill and knowledge which takes real commitment to achieve. From there you have no limit or quite a large limit on number or firearms or calibres. Get rid of the absurd target/quarry conditions and land sign off and all that and closed tickets, if you’ve demonstrated your commitment skill and knowledge and been granted FAC and have the landowners permission and you believe a 470nitro express is required to shoot muntjacs then so be it (clearly this would not be the case with proper training and level of attainment).

Centralise it all as well and make whatever body it is apply the actual guidelines as written.

No ammo limits, mods off ticket.

If its anything like their fishing regs then no thanks!

I was in Frankfurt on a work trip last summer and wanted to do a little fishing. My god what a rigmarole.

• First you have to do a course/training - proof of participation in an officially certified preparatory course must be provided. The course may not begin more than 18 months before the examination date. The course comprises at least 30 hours and is offered by angling clubs and educational institutions. Prices usually range between 70 and 250 euros.
• Examination: The fishing exam comprises 15 questions each in the subject areas of water science, fish science, equipment science and legal science, i.e. a total of 60 questions, of which at least 75% must be answered correctly within 2 hours. The cost of taking the fishing license exam varies. The cost is usually between €15 and €100
• Issuing costs: After passing the exam, the fishing license must be applied to the competent authority. The cost of issuing a fishing license can range from 10 to 50 euros.
• Fishing fee: In many states, in addition to the fees for issuing a license, an annual fishing levy is levied, which is used for the maintenance and protection of waters. This levy also varies by state and can be between €5 and €20 per year.

Safe to say I didn't bother.