I have held a FAC since the early 10's. Shotguns never really interested me until my wife convinced me to try something new for my 40th birthday. We had a great day at Purbeck, the instructor was excellent, all good fun.
Wishing I had done this years ago naturally I was online filling out the form days later.
So the long wait began. I naively hoped at the time by already having a FAC the process wouldn't take so long, they would already have my number so to speak.
We are all aware of the situation with D&C & D so wont cut into it here, I'll just copy and paste my time line I put together below ▼
SGC Timeline:
19th September 2021 – Filled in the SGC application online with D&C Police.
26th January 2022 – D&C Police sent a letter confirming the new medical form is indeed required for pre-existing applications. That same afternoon I printed off the form and dropped it into my doctors.
27th January 2022 – Doctors receptionist called to say they had forgotten to charge the £30.00 fee, could I come back and pay ASAP so progress can continue. Honest mistake fair enough.
28th January 2022 – Doctors fee now paid.
2nd February 2022 – Receptionist called to say the form is completed and ready for collection. I had it in the post to D&C Police that same afternoon.
2nd September 2022 - After nearly a year since applying I contacted D&C to see if they had an ETA. I got a fairly blanket reply saying they could confirm my application but we’re unable to give any time scale. By now it was common knowledge D&C police we’re struggling.
8th May 2023 – Sent another polite email asking after an ETA, same blanket response.
30th January 2024 – Realising it had been well over two years since my application I emailed Dorset Police who are a now regaining control of licencing the Dorset area.
31st January 2024 – A member of Dorset licencing team called and apologised for the incredibly long delay. I was basically told my SGC is pretty much good to go but annoyingly D&C had lost the medical form. They really can’t issue the SGC without it so could I please acquire a new one from my doctor. That same afternoon I was back at the doctors with fresh paperwork.
14th February 2024 – Hadn’t heard from the doctors for a couple of weeks so after lunch I popped in to see if they had an ETA. I was told the form had been completed and sent off that very morning.
16th February 2024 – I called the direct number of the chap I had previously spoken to at Dorset Police to ask if they had received the medical form. I was directed straight to voice mail so I left a polite message to call me back when possible.
21st February 2024 – Dorset police called back and confirmed they had received the new medical form; it was now being pushed through to the chap who makes the final decision. He estimated another week or two with the caveat they may decide for a home inspection. It had been a several years since the last inspection of my existing FAC. This would obviously add time to the process but I’m happy with that either way.
22nd February 2024 – Received another phone call, an inspection is indeed required and booked for the following week.
28th February 2024 – Very positive FEO inspection & interview. All being well I should have the SGC in a week or so.
9th March 2024 – Finally after 2½ years my SGC arrives in the post.
Wishing I had done this years ago naturally I was online filling out the form days later.
So the long wait began. I naively hoped at the time by already having a FAC the process wouldn't take so long, they would already have my number so to speak.
We are all aware of the situation with D&C & D so wont cut into it here, I'll just copy and paste my time line I put together below ▼
SGC Timeline:
19th September 2021 – Filled in the SGC application online with D&C Police.
26th January 2022 – D&C Police sent a letter confirming the new medical form is indeed required for pre-existing applications. That same afternoon I printed off the form and dropped it into my doctors.
27th January 2022 – Doctors receptionist called to say they had forgotten to charge the £30.00 fee, could I come back and pay ASAP so progress can continue. Honest mistake fair enough.
28th January 2022 – Doctors fee now paid.
2nd February 2022 – Receptionist called to say the form is completed and ready for collection. I had it in the post to D&C Police that same afternoon.
2nd September 2022 - After nearly a year since applying I contacted D&C to see if they had an ETA. I got a fairly blanket reply saying they could confirm my application but we’re unable to give any time scale. By now it was common knowledge D&C police we’re struggling.
8th May 2023 – Sent another polite email asking after an ETA, same blanket response.
30th January 2024 – Realising it had been well over two years since my application I emailed Dorset Police who are a now regaining control of licencing the Dorset area.
31st January 2024 – A member of Dorset licencing team called and apologised for the incredibly long delay. I was basically told my SGC is pretty much good to go but annoyingly D&C had lost the medical form. They really can’t issue the SGC without it so could I please acquire a new one from my doctor. That same afternoon I was back at the doctors with fresh paperwork.
14th February 2024 – Hadn’t heard from the doctors for a couple of weeks so after lunch I popped in to see if they had an ETA. I was told the form had been completed and sent off that very morning.
16th February 2024 – I called the direct number of the chap I had previously spoken to at Dorset Police to ask if they had received the medical form. I was directed straight to voice mail so I left a polite message to call me back when possible.
21st February 2024 – Dorset police called back and confirmed they had received the new medical form; it was now being pushed through to the chap who makes the final decision. He estimated another week or two with the caveat they may decide for a home inspection. It had been a several years since the last inspection of my existing FAC. This would obviously add time to the process but I’m happy with that either way.
22nd February 2024 – Received another phone call, an inspection is indeed required and booked for the following week.
28th February 2024 – Very positive FEO inspection & interview. All being well I should have the SGC in a week or so.
9th March 2024 – Finally after 2½ years my SGC arrives in the post.
