For your interest -
Shotgun and firearm renewal forms arrive with me on 12th Jan I complete and return on 17th. My currents certs expire on 17th March.
I phone two weeks later to ask if the paperwork has been received - yes it is being processed. I phone early March informing them my cert expires shortly and still I have not received a visit - I will hear shortly
8th March home visit by police every thing in order fine. I am told that it is unlikely that I will receive my new licences before the expiry date and therefore I should take all weapons to a gun dealer on the 17th to store until my new licence appears. At which point I explain that I have not been negligent in anyway - officer agrees and tells me in that case keep the guns after the 17th but don't use them? I explain that I would be in possession of firearms w/o a current licence, a serious offence. I went on to say that the force HQ informed me that they would issue a temporary licence if there was a shortfall between renewal and expiry date. The officer agreed this was a good idea and settled on that.
I was amazed that I was firstly told to put them in storage at my cost for how long? and secondly to keep them w/o a current licence - 3 rifles and 5 shotguns.
Next time round I will submit my renewal 4mths in advance - that should be enough time?
Shotgun and firearm renewal forms arrive with me on 12th Jan I complete and return on 17th. My currents certs expire on 17th March.
I phone two weeks later to ask if the paperwork has been received - yes it is being processed. I phone early March informing them my cert expires shortly and still I have not received a visit - I will hear shortly
8th March home visit by police every thing in order fine. I am told that it is unlikely that I will receive my new licences before the expiry date and therefore I should take all weapons to a gun dealer on the 17th to store until my new licence appears. At which point I explain that I have not been negligent in anyway - officer agrees and tells me in that case keep the guns after the 17th but don't use them? I explain that I would be in possession of firearms w/o a current licence, a serious offence. I went on to say that the force HQ informed me that they would issue a temporary licence if there was a shortfall between renewal and expiry date. The officer agreed this was a good idea and settled on that.
I was amazed that I was firstly told to put them in storage at my cost for how long? and secondly to keep them w/o a current licence - 3 rifles and 5 shotguns.
Next time round I will submit my renewal 4mths in advance - that should be enough time?