Application timeline - Police Scotland

[Mycroft]

Just in case this might prove helpful to those applying for their FAL, here's the timescale for my application.
I live in Speyside, and initial application posted to Inverness
I already held a SGC and asked for a renewal to be made co-terminous
I applied for:
.22
.243
.357 lever action
.303
.44 black powder pistol

.243 was for deer, vermin, zeroing and target over any ground where I have permission
The rest for target only

4/8/25 - application sent
7/9/15 - cheque cashed
22/9/15 - visit from 2 constables for interview and to check security
9/11/15 - email from PC in charge of application asking for return of current SGC
14/12/15 - SGC and FAL arrived in post with everything I asked for granted, and all calibres allowed for all purposes

Both references were followed up by telephone

All in all pretty smooth

 

[Norrie1956]

Hiya, Not a bad timescale at all, considering you were getting a new grant...I was 4 months for a renewal with one new calibre added ( 270) ....BUT, well pleased nonetheless, and had a smooth application...

 

[nick.308]

i would call 4 months ages but i can't remember how long mine took

 

[Kev]

They got mine 4th May (SGC and FAC applications ), still waiting......

 

[bogtrotter]

My renewals have always taken around four months, visit from FEO four months before renewal, check security , check firearms held fill in forms , new certificate arrives few days before expiry of current FAC simple full marks to what was Central Scotland Police.

Havn't done a renewal yet under Police Scotland but have done quite a few Visitors Permits and they have actually been processed quicker than before .

Despite all the horror stories I can't find any fault,long may it continue.

 

[slider]

different parts of the supposedly unified Police Scotland appear to be at the polar ends of reaction time.

I put my application in to Fettes (former L&B) in mid august. interview in mid November and still waiting on ticket.

Glasgow and Inverness get great reports

 

[Island]

I have a friend who submitted an SGC application to Glasgow last April and only received his ticket mid-December.

He sent me copies of all the correspondence between himself and various people in the FL department and to say I was distinctly unimpressed is a bit of an understatement. It was a comedy of errors from start to finish...

 

[rutland]

Lincolnshire is shocking , you wait ages , the FEO'S are pulling their hair out but that's what you get when the police farm it out to G4S,

 

[Pedro]

Lincolnshire has farmed out firearms licencing to G4S??

 

[VIGILAIRE]

Lincolnshire has farmed out firearms licencing to G4S??

Yes they have.

 

[Yan_k]

My variation was sent in to the Aberdeen office a week before Christmas for a .243 and got it back last week. Very quick. However my other half sent in her SGC application a few weeks before Christmas and hasn't heard a thing yet. They are usually quite good though, we are lucky up here.

 

[Norrie1956]

My mate called me last night, his SGC renewal came in on Saturday morning.., 8 weeks from sending off, incl home visit...he's well chuffed...Well done Central Scotland Police...

 

[mine2209]

Another story... I am a transfer into Aberdeenshire of my SGC and grant of FC, my paperwork was sent off in December when I was made to return my SGC to my old force before they would transfer me.

I currently am still waiting and still don't have a paper certificate which means technically I could be in a dark place if I was stopped and in possession of a SG...

I got my security visit yesterday, and I must say the Officer was very helpful and does seem to be trying to speed things up now he is aware but its obviously still frustrating for me sitting here in the dark.

I heard today that I could be still waiting for weeks/months for it all to come through, I kinda understand the backlog on the firearms grant even though it seems a ridiculous wait compared to my old force even, but seems a joke for the SGC since I already hold the it so there are no checks to do its just a case of printing it off and posting it out...

Ill try to remember to let you know when its all complete and in order.

 

[cerealthriller]

My renewal took 4 1/2 months after the date when they cashed the cheque.