Firearms certificate

[Liveonce]

Theres plenty of clues in this thread among others

you can email them, even write to them, does it actually make a difference? so you got your free variation several months after you disposed of your last firearm did you?

They hold all the cards unless you have the money to take them to court and you would still likely lose as the HO statutory guidance for chief constables is exactky that guidance not statutory law.

We may not like it, but we play by their rules, simple as that.

 

[spanj]

you can email them, even write to them, does it actually make a difference? so you got your free variation several months after you disposed of your last firearm did you?

They hold all the cards unless you have the money to take them to court and you would still likely lose as the HO statutory guidance for chief constables is exactky that guidance not statutory law.

We may not like it, but we play by their rules, simple as that.

No I got my free variation within a reasonable timeframe. Just under 3 weeks if I recall correctly.You need to remember the Police dont make the rules, their role is to enforce them and administer them in the case of firearms licencing. Herein lies the problem, they are both judge and jury. The shooting orgs SHOULD be publicly challenging these creeping changes (I have no idea how many cases they do defend successfully or otherwise) and so should every affected shooter. Sure, give up if it becomes too big a financial burden but dont just roll over

 

[M@tt]

the HO statutory guidance for chief constables is exactky that guidance not statutory law.

It is seen as best practice, asking them why they feel the need to go against the Guidance is the same as asking why they believe they need to go against best practice.

But, take the fatalist attitude and do nothing, then it will never change.
Ask politely what their reasoning is and you start a dialogue/discussion which can get people looking at things differently. It doesn't mean one was right or wrong in the first instance, but after a different perspective was taken a different conclusion could be the outcome.

But moaning about it without trying is the easy thing to do.
.

 

[Liveonce]

But, take the fatalist attitude and do nothing, then it will never change.

Over what many many years of owning firearms, I have written to my MP, visited my MP surgery, made a formal complaint via the PCC against my Chief Constable marched in London, filled in the various consultations like the lead one, the knife one, the section 2 to 1.

Over that time I have lost my pistol, lost my semi auto centerfire rifles, so know the pain of losing.

So please do not accuse me of having a fatalist attitude.

The Ho guidance on firearms licencing for Cheif Constsble has no standing in law.

What have you done?

 

[M@tt]

The Ho guidance on firearms licencing for Cheif Constsble has no standing in law.

What have you done?

My comment was a general statement, not directly aimed at you, nor did I mean to hit a nerve. However, you do sound like you've given up trying to argue your position.

I'm not going to list what I have done in support of shooting, suffice to say I am still doing it, I haven't stopped.

I have found in the past that if I respectfully point out the differences with reasoned arguments we often come to a compromise, or more often they see it my way when the laws, rules or guidance are followed.

As for your point about the law, read section 55 of the primary act. It says that the police (and the courts in relation to appeals) must have regard to the Guidance when dealing with such matters. It is a Statutory Guidance.

 

[ContinShots]

Firearms certificate currently has .22, 65x55 and .308 on it
Recently sold my 6.5 x 55, if I want to purchase another one do I have to reapply to the firearms officer or does the slot become vacant once I’ve sold the rifle ?
Had conflicting info some say have to apply for a 1 for 1 variation others said yes I now have a vacant slot

If you've not requested a one for one variation very soon after you sold the rifle, you will have to pay for a variation for a new slot (and justify the new slot). It's all in the guidance.

 

[Liveonce]

If you've not requested a one for one variation very soon after you sold the rifle, you will have to pay for a variation for a new slot. It's all in the guidance.

And read your certificate , they normally say words like

disposal of a firearm does not authorise a replacement to be obtained unless your certificate has been varied for this purpose.

 

[M@tt]

And read your certificate , they normally say words like

disposal of a firearm does not authorise a replacement to be obtained unless your certificate has been varied for this purpose.

I was sure it used to say this, but I looked at my last two FACs and it's not there.
I wonder if it was on the notification form they used to send out.

 

[Liveonce]

I was sure it used to say this, but I looked at my last two FACs and it's not there.
I wonder if it was on the notification form they used to send out.

obviously another example of different police forces doing it differently, mine has it, Kent.