It seems that the issues regarding an application are many and varied, I don't actually plan to fill out my first FAC application until 7th December, when I will have been a member of a full bore gun club for 12 months (they said they would support such an application after 3 months but the wife and I have had our 25th Wedding Anniversary this Summer, and money only goes so far!), and also a member of an NSRA gun club for about 9 months. I do find it compelling trying to get a perfect card, although I'm not interested in the least in competition, it's the personal challenge I enjoy, and I have to say, I have a long way to go, ha!
I've read variously that the siting of a gun cabinet can be a problem with respect to some FEOs, indeed I'm told in my area of West Mercia, that some applicants have suggested a bedroom but this was refused by the FEO, I've no idea of the reasons, but it seems ridiculous. We'll be presenting a fait accompli to the FEO at application, the wife will only allow me to fit the cabinet inside one of our fitted wardrobes in our bedroom, she refuses it elsewhere in the house because we have nowhere it could be hidden from view, and the wife doesn't want the grandchildren being aware that guns will be in the house.
So I take delivery of a 9 gun cabinet in the next few days, and it will be attached to the wall in the back of the wardrobe with the biggest rawl bolts I can fit. I'd be interested in any comments about the siting of the cabinet, and thoughts about whether the FEO will browbeat my wife as to its location, I don't personally give him good odds.
I note various comments regarding open and closed tickets, well whilst I have no particular issues regarding this, I do intend to shoot in Scotland at some point. In addition, whilst I've been out of shooting for something like twenty years, I do have military experience of firearms, both in 5.56, 7.62, and 9mm calibres, so I'm not a novice by any stretch of the imagination. However, I'm not arrogant either, I plan to undertake LANTRA courses for both rimfire and centre fire in pest/fox control, and also undertake a DSC1, despite being physically disabled. Although these courses do cost money, and it will possibly take me a year or so to gather the disposable income to complete all three.
In Wales I have a 45 acre permission for game, pest/fox control, which encompasses both sides of a valley, providing safe backstops, and have the promise from a friend for a permission for Muntjac in Cambridgeshire, but it might take me a couple of years to obtain a centre fire rifle anyway, due to limited funds, so I'm not overly upset at the closed/open ticket debate, at least until I get the .223 Rem I want, and perhaps a 6.5x55.
Its a journey I'm taking here, if it takes a couple of years then thats ok, I'm in no rush to play with all the toys at once, I want to enjoy things as much as possible at each level, and be able to back up the experience with qualifications, and if that takes time then it takes time. I'll not be a fair weather shooter by the way, all the rifles I intend to buy will be synthetic tools, I'm not one for walnut and polish, and I understand there's more shooting sport available when the weather isn't fine.
I realise I might not fit the profile of your average towny, and I'm not a rich man, or the most physically able, but I'm willing to give it a proper go, and intend to enjoy myself and make a few good friends along the way.
Any and all comments welcome.
I've read variously that the siting of a gun cabinet can be a problem with respect to some FEOs, indeed I'm told in my area of West Mercia, that some applicants have suggested a bedroom but this was refused by the FEO, I've no idea of the reasons, but it seems ridiculous. We'll be presenting a fait accompli to the FEO at application, the wife will only allow me to fit the cabinet inside one of our fitted wardrobes in our bedroom, she refuses it elsewhere in the house because we have nowhere it could be hidden from view, and the wife doesn't want the grandchildren being aware that guns will be in the house.
So I take delivery of a 9 gun cabinet in the next few days, and it will be attached to the wall in the back of the wardrobe with the biggest rawl bolts I can fit. I'd be interested in any comments about the siting of the cabinet, and thoughts about whether the FEO will browbeat my wife as to its location, I don't personally give him good odds.
I note various comments regarding open and closed tickets, well whilst I have no particular issues regarding this, I do intend to shoot in Scotland at some point. In addition, whilst I've been out of shooting for something like twenty years, I do have military experience of firearms, both in 5.56, 7.62, and 9mm calibres, so I'm not a novice by any stretch of the imagination. However, I'm not arrogant either, I plan to undertake LANTRA courses for both rimfire and centre fire in pest/fox control, and also undertake a DSC1, despite being physically disabled. Although these courses do cost money, and it will possibly take me a year or so to gather the disposable income to complete all three.
In Wales I have a 45 acre permission for game, pest/fox control, which encompasses both sides of a valley, providing safe backstops, and have the promise from a friend for a permission for Muntjac in Cambridgeshire, but it might take me a couple of years to obtain a centre fire rifle anyway, due to limited funds, so I'm not overly upset at the closed/open ticket debate, at least until I get the .223 Rem I want, and perhaps a 6.5x55.
Its a journey I'm taking here, if it takes a couple of years then thats ok, I'm in no rush to play with all the toys at once, I want to enjoy things as much as possible at each level, and be able to back up the experience with qualifications, and if that takes time then it takes time. I'll not be a fair weather shooter by the way, all the rifles I intend to buy will be synthetic tools, I'm not one for walnut and polish, and I understand there's more shooting sport available when the weather isn't fine.
I realise I might not fit the profile of your average towny, and I'm not a rich man, or the most physically able, but I'm willing to give it a proper go, and intend to enjoy myself and make a few good friends along the way.
Any and all comments welcome.