POST FEO VISIT UPDATE:
After pleasantries were out of the way he asked me where my gun cabinet was. Took him to the cupboard and showed him the locked cabinet. He tapped the wall around it (to ID the type and thickness of wall surface) and I explained the cabinet back was screwed into a wooden stud on one side, which is fixed to the external wall, and with threaded rods fixed into the external whinstone walls with resin on the other side. I also explained that the bottom screws were secured into the wooden flooring.
He wanted to see inside the cabinet, so I asked him to step outside my flat whilst I collected the keys. I opened the cabinet and brought him back in. He counted the gun capacity of the cabinet and noted it. He told me he was pleased that I asked him to leave the flat, that it was exactly what he was looking for and that asking him to 'turn his back a minute' wouldn't have been sufficient. I told him that CCTV was being installed near my flat which was another plus point for him.
He then brought out a form which had questions that largely mirrored the FAC application and he confirmed various details with me. This came across as an opportunity for me to demonstrate how well I knew my own FAC application details and that I was confident in what I was applying for. I had my DSC1 and Wild Game Hygiene certificates, alongside BASC magazines out on the table which he clocked and he noted that I am a DSC1 holder and BASC member on the form.
He wanted another print out of my land permission. He also said that 'they' need a total acreage figure of land that you have permission to shoot on. Told him I could get this but he never pursued it.
Presumably playing devils advocate (he is an ex-military marksman...), he quizzed me on if a 6.5 Creedmoor would be legal for reds. So I explained my reasoning for the 6.5 choice and how it's legal for all species Scotland and he was content with that.
I asked about how long I would wait from here and he said anything from 2 weeks to 3 months, but that he can't really say because it depends on whether issues get flagged up by his superiors, who also look through the FAC application and do thorough background checks. He explained that the main hold-ups are coming from the GP practices, especially if private services are used to provide the GP Medial Declaration. He explained it's not worth using these services because they can't directly put a note on your file that you are a firearms holder, so you end up having to pay the private service provider plus your GP in the end to complete a successful application.
The final question was along the lines of "If you were out stalking a deer and it ran out into a public place, what would you do?". To which I replied, "I would stop stalking and not enter the public space". He followed the question up with, "What would you do then? How would you make your firearm safe?". To which I replied, "I would unload and remove the bolt and proceed back to my vehicle.". He was content with that.
The whole visit took 40 minutes and he noted 'Tidy and secure' on the form he was filling out. He said at the end what he's looking for is whether the applicant is sensible and someone he can advocate to have a firearm and be able to sleep at night. What he was not looking for was someone who was likely to go on a weekender bender and get the guns out for a play...
It's true that he politely tested my knowledge on my application and on firearm safety. However, if you've done your homework this won't be an issue. Demonstrate to them how suitable an applicant you are with your knowledge.
FINAL TAKE HOME:
Do your homework on the firearms legislation and law relevant to your country
Get a DSC1 or provide evidence that you can safely and competently operate the type of firearm you are applying for
Be confident in your application
Present yourself, skills and experience well
Don't be an arse - they are only trying to ensure you are fit and competent for a firearms certificate and you may have to deal with the same FEO for decades to come!
Good luck (though you won't need it)
Sam
I also fully agree with the current situation, the police have a duty of care so will never “ask for nothing”.
