Changing address during firearms application

[Mich10a]

We have a firearms and shotgun application in with Leicestershire firearms. However it has now been nearly a year and we have just been told that the applications are going to be delayed even further. We had the inspection on 31st December 2025, and the FEO was really positive. However the applications have to go to meeting with the Chief inspector. We have now been told that they are waiting for a new chief inspector to be appointed so unfortunately this will delay our grant applications". We were hoping to have received them by now as we are due to be moving to the South Staffs area. Will we have to start the application process all over again or can we transfer the applications over to South Staffs firearms?
Any advise would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

 

[finnbear270]

Only your licensing office can be accurate on this one.
Maybe consult South Staffs at the same time?

 

[Mich10a]

Is that the FEO or the head of licencing at Leicestershire police? If the latter we don't know who that is as it was Nigel Rixon, but he left which caused the initial delay at the beginning of this year.

 

[muddy42]

We have a firearms and shotgun application in with Leicestershire firearms. However it has now been nearly a year and we have just been told that the applications are going to be delayed even further. We had the inspection on 31st December 2025, and the FEO was really positive. However the applications have to go to meeting with the Chief inspector. We have now been told that they are waiting for a new chief inspector to be appointed so unfortunately this will delay our grant applications". We were hoping to have received them by now as we are due to be moving to the South Staffs area. Will we have to start the application process all over again or can we transfer the applications over to South Staffs firearms?
Any advise would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

All I can say is that when you move address within the span of an existing application its a formality, Ive never had a reinspection of security. Your FAC remains granted by the force that granted it, so maybe you'll be lucky and it'll sneak through. You cannot put your life on hold, just notify Leicestershire a few days after you have moved address.

 

[rocketdogbert]

I know two people who have moved relatively recently and as a consequence of moving to a different firearms licensing area have had to re-apply for their FAC.
They had to go through the whole “new “ FAC process from the beginning, and at no point were they told it was a formality. One was even refused certain slots that he already had, and had to sell a couple of rifles. He could possibly have appealed, but didn’t.

@Mich10a if you move, don’t tell them, and get your FAC approved in the subsequently wrong area, you will be committing an offence. Your choice whether to take that risk or not.

 

[finnbear270]

All I can say is that when you move address within the span of an existing application its a formality, Ive never had a reinspection of security. Your FAC remains granted by the force that granted it, so maybe you'll be lucky and it'll sneak through. You cannot put your life on hold, just notify Leicestershire a few days after you have moved address.

And hope your new grant isn't on the door mat at your old address.

 

[TringSaint]

When I moved from TVP to Herts I had 11 months left on my license so I notified Herts who spoke with TVP.
Herts came out to do a cabinet check and that was it.
When my renewal came round it was a standard renewal.

 

[Mich10a]

We haven't got our FACs yet, it is in the process still 12 months down the line and it's looking like it will be delayed even further. So it's not a case of moving FACs, it's the applications which we are asking if they can be transferred to the new force.

 

[TringSaint]

I think you may have to reapply, as otherwise the grant would be for an address you no longer and the guns would no longer reside at.
Best call them I think!

 

[M@tt]

We had one club member in the BCH area, waiting for 12months or more for the application process to move from the filing of paperwork stage, moved to Lincs. Applied again and got the grant in quick time.

@Mich10a It would be better if you had your grant before you move, but if you do move you may have to re-apply. Speak to Staffs FLD.

@TringSaint you should have informed TVP, not BCH, but all's good I guess as long as it gets done. I guess this was a while ago, now it would be a long process.

 

[Greenmist]

As long as you're within the area, the application should still go ahead (perhaps if they pulled their finger out and delivered the service in a timely manner it would be unnecessary), just inform them of your new address, I suppose if everyone has to meet the CC, it will only add to the delay, what say BASC about this ridiculous new hurdle @Conor O'Gorman ?

 

[muddy42]

And hope your new grant isn't on the door mat at your old address.

Postal forwarding service? or ask the new occupants to keep old mail and go back.

I'm just saying that:
1) the statutory condition regarding notification of change of address technically applies to certificate holders not applicants, and
2) without undue delay, I think are the words, so its a retrospective obligation, you don't have to inform them of your intention to move, do you?

 

[rocketdogbert]

Postal forwarding service? or ask the new occupants to keep old mail and go back.

I'm just saying that:
1) the statutory condition regarding notification of change of address technically applies to certificate holders not applicants, and
2) without undue delay, I think are the words, so its a retrospective obligation, you don't have to inform them of your intention to move, do you?

You can’t make an application with a knowlingly incorrect address, that’s an offence, and effectively what the OP will be doing

 

[muddy42]

You can’t make an application with a knowlingly incorrect address, that’s an offence, and effectively what the OP will be doing

But the OP applied 12 months ago? At that time of the application and right up to the date he moves house, the address on the application is correct. Theoretically you can decide to move house with 24hrs notice or intend to move but the house purchase falls through so you change your mind - a retrospective obligation makes send in these scenarios. Plus I think it would be reasonable for the FAC to be granted by now.

Unless you can tell me otherwise, I dont think there isn't an obligation to inform the police of your intention to move address? I think its retrospective.

 

[W1LL]

I moved house during application from Gwent to Powys. Rang Gwent to inform them of the move (sounds easier than it was) they refunded my fees, after 18 months of nothing, they sent my file and application to DP, who rang me days later, repaid DP the fees over the phone, told them the new address and date of moving, booked an FEO visit and was all sorted and signed off within 3 weeks of being moved in. DP are pretty good and have common sense to be fair to them.

 

[cjm1066]

You have paid for an FAC application.

Notify them of your new address, your application was correct when they received it, they can pass it in but you shouldn't have to pay again.

 

[Mich10a]

I moved house during application from Gwent to Powys. Rang Gwent to inform them of the move (sounds easier than it was) they refunded my fees, after 18 months of nothing, they sent my file and application to DP, who rang me days later, repaid DP the fees over the phone, told them the new address and date of moving, booked an FEO visit and was all sorted and signed off within 3 weeks of being moved in. DP are pretty good and have common sense to be fair to them.

Did you have to do a new proforma and was that 18 months after you notified them of change of address or 18 months after you submitted your application?

 

[W1LL]

Did you have to do a new proforma and was that 18 months after you notified them of change of address or 18 months after you submitted your application?

18 months after I submitted my original application living in Gwent, we bought a new house across the border in Powys. They just transferred the paperwork and my FAC app, SGC ect to Dyfed Powys who were happy with it and due to the wait with the previous FLD they were good as gold and cracked on with it, didn’t have to do any of it again. But as we all know every force does its own thing.

 

[rocketdogbert]

But the OP applied 12 months ago? At that time of the application and right up to the date he moves house, the address on the application is correct. Theoretically you can decide to move house with 24hrs notice or intend to move but the house purchase falls through so you change your mind - a retrospective obligation makes send in these scenarios. Plus I think it would be reasonable for the FAC to be granted by now.

Unless you can tell me otherwise, I dont think there isn't an obligation to inform the police of your intention to move address? I think its retrospective.

OP has to inform original FLD now he knows he’s moving, simple as that, the application cannot legally proceed with information that is known to be incorrect.

Do you think if you applied for an FAC then during the process you wouldn’t need to tell the FLD if you had been diagnosed with a notifiable illness?

FLD will decide on course of action, it’s that simple

 

[Apthorpe]

OP has to inform original FLD now he knows he’s moving, simple as that, the application cannot legally proceed with information that is known to be incorrect.

I don’t think you’ll be able to find any legal basis to support that assertion. Why must he inform the FLD? He is not a certficate holder, so that duty does not exist. The information must be correct at the time of application, the applicant is not required to proactively do anything else until a certificate is granted.

Do you think if you applied for an FAC then during the process you wouldn’t need to tell the FLD if you had been diagnosed with a notifiable illness?

You would not. You would have to inform the police immediately if you were granted a FAC, but not before that time although the system is such that your GP would (assuming they did their duty properly) do this anyway.

FLD will decide on course of action, it’s that simple