Wylyekeeper
Active Member
Interesting and well worth a read.
http://www.nationalgamekeepers.org.uk/news/ngo-gets-tough-on-failing-police
http://www.nationalgamekeepers.org.uk/news/ngo-gets-tough-on-failing-police
NGO gets tough on failing firearms licensing departments
- Thread starter Wylyekeeper
- Start date
caorach
Well-Known Member
Here in Northern Ireland it was taking 12 to 24 months to process a certificate. BASC put some pressure on them and I believe this has improved significantly and for a while I was hearing of reasonable times but I'm starting to hear a few people talking of 5 - 6 months again.
Jimbo 30 06
Well-Known Member
I can only say well done NGO and George Wallace. I am happy that i am a supporter member as the NGO in my opinion is the best.
Jimbo
Jimbo 30 06
Well-Known Member
+1 I had problems with Cheshire over conditions even though i had open Certificate it took six months for George Wallace to fight my corner but the outcome was in my favour. As you say BASC did nothing to help only point me in the direction of pragraphs in the Home Office Guidance which i already had a copy and had read myself.
Jimbo
Southdowns_stalking
Well-Known Member
I sent mine off on friday 10th Aug 1st class recorded, arrived back on my door mat wednesday, im with Hampshire and can't fault their service so far...... maybe im just lucky!
Edit: I did enclose a quote from my FAO saying this was needed back asap, might be worth having a chat to yours and seeing if they can assist.
Having spoke to them on occasions, and been informed that they only started looking at Aprils mail at the beginning of August I shall ring today and quote what your experience was and ask why everyone else is being kept waiting.
mine was sent on the 4 April renewal date was June and I have spoken to them twice by phone and been refused a temporary licence as quote it takes as long to do as a normal licence
mine was sent on the 4 April renewal date was June and I have spoken to them twice by phone and been refused a temporary licence as quote it takes as long to do as a normal licence
deeangeo
Well-Known Member
I didn't have any problems with Cheshire FLD at all in 2011. My renewal was in on time and the new certificates were back bang on expiry date of the old cert. Took 3 weeks for the turnaround.
Best it's ever been, no hassle at all.
Cheers, ATB
Hants
Well-Known Member
My limited experience with Hampshire licensing is that they are a bl***y joke. That level of productivity, or lack of it, in the outside world just would not rub. The FEO's I have found to be very helpful but those in the office are beyond belief.
We have a friend who works in the Wiltshire firearms licensing and the contrast could not be more marked.....maybe we should have moved there.
We have a friend who works in the Wiltshire firearms licensing and the contrast could not be more marked.....maybe we should have moved there.
Cumbria are very good.
I had a free 2 for 2 variation completed in 30 days.
HWH.
I had a free 2 for 2 variation completed in 30 days.
HWH.
Orion
Well-Known Member
Seriously?
Please don't be fobbed off with that kind of answer because you are potentially in a very serious position - unlawful possession of firearms carries how many years jail time?
They don't want to issue a temporary permit because it reflects badly on them and their renewal figures. Period.
In your position I would immediately contact them by email or letter, (registered/recorded delivery), demanding that they either forward your renewed FAC or issue the permit. You'll at least go some way to covering yourself - at the moment you are very much on offer.
I wouldn't mind betting that your FAC will then appear on your doorstep as if by magic.
[h=3]PLEASE NOTE: This site is not monitored 24 hours a day - in an emergency, always dial 999.[/h]
Due to current staffing levels and volume of work, we have extended our expected delivery / completion times for the processing of renewals and grant applications, transfers of sales, change of addresses or ownership of licensed items and any connected correspondence. The current processing time is anticipated to be up to 16 weeks. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
From the Hampshire police web site! I assume everyone in hants needs a temporary ticket.
Orion
Well-Known Member
Probably do judging by your experience!
Seriously though, there is no 'get out of jail free' card with this issue - you either have a valid FAC or a temp permit, or you are in unlawful possession of firearms. There is no leeway on it and the police can't make vague gestures referring to the fact that they are 'processing' the application.
Please don't leave yourself exposed when all it takes is an email or letter to put the ball squarely in their court.
sikamalc
Administrator
Perhaps a word in your local MP's ear (providing he is a supporter of field sports, although that shouldnt make any difference) or a letter of concern to the Chief Constable pointing out the error of the FA Depts way's.
I am astonished (well not really) at the growing inconsistancy of the whole affair. However I will say that as a rule Kent are very good and I am lucky to have a very good FEO.
Jimbo 30 06
Well-Known Member
+1 Taff please do as Orion say's otherwise your next post could be asking for help in getting the return of your guns. Are you a member of NGO if so also contact them i am sure they will offer to act for you if your not a member then it is well worth £35 to join. Good luck.
Jimbo
Tamus
Well-Known Member
Seriously?
Please don't be fobbed off with that kind of answer because you are potentially in a very serious position - unlawful possession of firearms carries how many years jail time?
5 years... and I've an uncertain recollection that it is also a "strict liabilty offence".
"Absolute or Strict liabilty" means... Unusually in British law, no bad intent need exist, on the part of the person on trial, for guilt to be established and if found guilty of commiting such an offence... there are no excuses, there is no defence or consideration of mitigating circumstances, there is no option of leniency or sentence reduction.. go straight to jail for the manadatory minimum term.
Sh1t creek and no paddle, for sure.
al4x1
Well-Known Member
I had a slight delay on my last one but when it arrived it was dated from the date of expiry of the old one, so technically I never committed an offence, Obviously you get those who want to play by the letter of the law but the odds on a prosecution when you've been told its fine by the people issuing the certificates is infintessimal. If it wasn't we would be seeing people in court over it and I'm guessing its not happened to anyone.
Sussex are pretty good - takes about 3 months for a new cert and 1-2 months for a variation.
As far as I can tell it's about budget cuts more than individual depts ability - Sussex team was cut by 50% a few years back, though luckily most of them are shooters so its still relatively quick compared to some of you guys.
Rather than asking for a temporary licence I send in a copy, with a covering note saying I will retain my licence in order to purchase ammo etc, but that I will return it by next day delivery if they notify me when it's being processed. Seems to have worked ok so far...
Firearms licensing depts aren't the enemy any more than the police are - they're just under-resourced and bogged down with poor admin-heavy processes in the same way most public services are... I'm guilty of whinging just like everyone else, but when all's said and done I've seen the amount of crap they have to fill in for each application/variation and feel sorry for them (our bit is the tip of the iceberg). Remember they get lumbered with every fireworks display, vet/agricultural application, etc in addition to ours. Also being so few of them there's no effective cover when someone gets ill, dies, or retires.
The Home Office has given "Guidance" - which is basically like me asking my mechanic what I should do and him saying "well you could kind of do this, but if there's a problem it's on your head"!!! Firearms law is a mishmash of past legislation that gets more contradictory and complicated each time there's a tragedy. It needs a total re-write. Then they can start to put together an efficient universal licencing policy.
As far as I can tell it's about budget cuts more than individual depts ability - Sussex team was cut by 50% a few years back, though luckily most of them are shooters so its still relatively quick compared to some of you guys.
Rather than asking for a temporary licence I send in a copy, with a covering note saying I will retain my licence in order to purchase ammo etc, but that I will return it by next day delivery if they notify me when it's being processed. Seems to have worked ok so far...
Firearms licensing depts aren't the enemy any more than the police are - they're just under-resourced and bogged down with poor admin-heavy processes in the same way most public services are... I'm guilty of whinging just like everyone else, but when all's said and done I've seen the amount of crap they have to fill in for each application/variation and feel sorry for them (our bit is the tip of the iceberg). Remember they get lumbered with every fireworks display, vet/agricultural application, etc in addition to ours. Also being so few of them there's no effective cover when someone gets ill, dies, or retires.
The Home Office has given "Guidance" - which is basically like me asking my mechanic what I should do and him saying "well you could kind of do this, but if there's a problem it's on your head"!!! Firearms law is a mishmash of past legislation that gets more contradictory and complicated each time there's a tragedy. It needs a total re-write. Then they can start to put together an efficient universal licencing policy.
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