First FAC, insurance and questions.

[Nelly3]

Hello, I am applying for my first FAC, have not done a DSC1 yet, will in the future and good chance they might insist on it, I have joined a local range and had training in gun safety etc and can now use their rifles, I have also been out stalking with a friends as well who has DSC1/2 and other related qualifications and has been training and mentoring me, I have near on 400 acres of permission, Just have a couple questions, I have applied for a .243, can I discuss this when I have my meeting? About what would be suitable for my ground and what would likely be acceptable and maybe change it on their recommendations?
Also when is insurance best to be in place? Once it has been granted or is it best to have it in place prior to this, would it help my application if it was in place early on? Will probably go through BASC, also with insurance, I live in rented, will I need permission from my landlord to store firearms at my home for the insurance company?
Also, will my partners previous medical conditions potentially have a effect on my application? Or is it purely based on my medical history?

Thanks in advance for any help and advice!

 

[Orion]

Make your application for the rifle calibre/cartridge most suitable for the shooting you will be doing - don't be afraid to put down what you want.

Include a covering letter detailing all your previous and current experience and if possible a letter from your friend/mentor to back it up.

You have land and if it has deer on it you are good to go.

Storage arrangements can be discussed with the FEO at time of visit.

Many options available for insurance and BASC is not the only one - do a forum search.

Finally read the HOG especially chapters 10 & 13 and become very familiar with them before your interview.

 

[springbok787]

I think you should already tick most of the boxes for getting an FAC. Calibre wise .243 is a good starter and so long as your permission is cleared for use of 243 then you should be ok. I would give your local FLU a call armed with the address of your permission to firstly double check it is cleared and secondly check if there are any conditions attached. This will be important because at interview stage you may be asked about your permission. If the land isn't cleared then you might have an issue because your first ticket is likely to be restricted to land cleared by the police. if your land isn't cleared you may have to get it cleared.

With regards to your partners health this shouldn't be an issue as he/she shouldn't have access to the keys to the gun safe. Basically the gun will be licenced for you to use only and it a legal requirement for partners without FAC's etc to have access. For your partner to have access would be classed as an offence.

Cabinet wise your landlord should have an issue other than you will need to make good the damage caused by bolting it to a brick wall.

 

[Orion]

“Calibre wise .243 is a good starter ......”

I would suggest that if the OP is likely to be shooting the larger species of deer - he’s in Devon and we do get some of the bigger reds down this way - then there will be better cartridge options than ‘the FEOs favourite’.

 

[gonzo]

I am in Dorset, who are combined with Devon and Cornwall, as far as the licencing goes.
They were not interested in the DSC qualifications and would not take them into account, as far as adding deer/sporting use to my certificate. They just needed to see written permission to shoot on land.
Though in my case, it was not a first application, just adding sporting use to an existing FAC. So the safety/familiarity with guns was less of a concern for them.

 

[Nelly3]

Make your application for the rifle calibre/cartridge most suitable for the shooting you will be doing - don't be afraid to put down what you want.

Include a covering letter detailing all your previous and current experience and if possible a letter from your friend/mentor to back it up.

You have land and if it has deer on it you are good to go.

Storage arrangements can be discussed with the FEO at time of visit.

Many options available for insurance and BASC is not the only one - do a forum search.

Finally read the HOG especially chapters 10 & 13 and become very familiar with them before your interview.

Hi Orion,

Sorry if I should know this, and maybe I do, but what does HOG stand for?
I sent it off with a covering letter as well as experience, future plans, permission letters, the only reason Im thinking possibly not .243 is we have reds not far at all from me, not often at all on my permission but I am hoping to get further permissions once I have my licence. Ive seen one red on my land once, but Roe and Fallow mostly.
Thanks!

 

[Nelly3]

I think you should already tick most of the boxes for getting an FAC. Calibre wise .243 is a good starter and so long as your permission is cleared for use of 243 then you should be ok. I would give your local FLU a call armed with the address of your permission to firstly double check it is cleared and secondly check if there are any conditions attached. This will be important because at interview stage you may be asked about your permission. If the land isn't cleared then you might have an issue because your first ticket is likely to be restricted to land cleared by the police. if your land isn't cleared you may have to get it cleared.

With regards to your partners health this shouldn't be an issue as he/she shouldn't have access to the keys to the gun safe. Basically the gun will be licenced for you to use only and it a legal requirement for partners without FAC's etc to have access. For your partner to have access would be classed as an offence.

Cabinet wise your landlord should have an issue other than you will need to make good the damage caused by bolting it to a brick wall.

Thanks Springbok, I was more wondering would the insurance company need to see I have permission from my landlord for keeping firearms on site, he can be a funny bugger at times.
Thanks!

 

[Nelly3]

I am in Dorset, who are combined with Devon and Cornwall, as far as the licencing goes.
They were not interested in the DSC qualifications and would not take them into account, as far as adding deer/sporting use to my certificate. They just needed to see written permission to shoot on land.
Though in my case, it was not a first application, just adding sporting use to an existing FAC. So the safety/familiarity with guns was less of a concern for them.

Fingers crossed! I will in the future likely doe the DSC1, but trying to spread the costs a bit, plus I have a mentor and other stalker friends so I dont feel it is urgent to do it straight away.
Thank you!

 

[Woodsmoke]

Thanks Springbok, I was more wondering would the insurance company need to see I have permission from my landlord for keeping firearms

Nope, they don't. Firearms come under your normal household insurance. Unless your tenancy has specific exclusions you don't need to let your landlord know. Just remember the cabinet needs to be securely fixed to the 'fabric of the building' though, so you may cause some minor damage. As long as you're prepared to make good if and when your tenancy comes to an end there shouldn't be any issue. Your entitlement to hold firearms is between you and your FLD, nothing to do with your landlord

P.S. 'HOG' is Home Office Guidance, by the way

 

[Nelly3]

Nope, they don't. Firearms come under your normal household insurance. Unless your tenancy has specific exclusions you don't need to let your landlord know. Just remember the cabinet needs to be securely fixed to the 'fabric of the building' though, so you may cause some minor damage. As long as you're prepared to make good if and when your tenancy comes to an end there shouldn't be any issue. Your entitlement to hold firearms is between you and your FLD, nothing to do with your landlord

P.S. 'HOG' is Home Office Guidance, by the way

Thanks Woodsmoke, Its all fixed securely to a main wall in a safe place tucked out the way already.
Thanks for the heads up on HOG, is this what you mean?

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/518193/Guidance_on_Firearms_Licensing_Law_April_2016_v20.pdf

Dont think ill be printing that off!

 

[Orion]

Thanks for the heads up on HOG, is this what you mean?

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/518193/Guidance_on_Firearms_Licensing_Law_April_2016_v20.pdf

Dont think ill be printing that off!

That’s the one. It’s a ‘live’ document that is best viewed online anyway.

If reds are around consider something with a wider range of bullet weights - plenty to choose from.

 

[jimbo1984]

Fingers crossed! I will in the future likely doe the DSC1, but trying to spread the costs a bit, plus I have a mentor and other stalker friends so I dont feel it is urgent to do it straight away.
Thank you!

Of course it’s entirely up to you but if you don’t need it I wouldn’t bother if you have good people to show you , all the best with it and enjoy your stalking !

 

[Nelly3]

That’s the one. It’s a ‘live’ document that is best viewed online anyway.

If reds are around consider something with a wider range of bullet weights - plenty to choose from.

Thanks, from my little knowledge and a bit of research a 6.5x55 seems a good alternative, I will likely be doing a bit of fox control as well to keep the farmers happy. Although I might be buying second hand and the choice of rifles are not so great.
Thanks again!

 

[bogtrotter]

Nope, they don't. Firearms come under your normal household insurance. Unless your tenancy has specific exclusions you don't need to let your landlord know. Just remember the cabinet needs to be securely fixed to the 'fabric of the building' though, so you may cause some minor damage. As long as you're prepared to make good if and when your tenancy comes to an end there shouldn't be any issue. Your entitlement to hold firearms is between you and your FLD, nothing to do with your landlord

P.S. 'HOG' is Home Office Guidance, by the way

Perhaps but for example social housing ( council) firearms are forbidden unless prior permission has been given.

 

[Nelly3]

Perhaps but for example social housing ( council) firearms are forbidden unless prior permission has been given.

Hi Bogtrotter, its a private landlord and just checked my tenancy agreement and nothing in their saying I cant!

Thanks!

 

[Nelly3]

Of course it’s entirely up to you but if you don’t need it I wouldn’t bother if you have good people to show you , all the best with it and enjoy your stalking !

Thanks Jimbo, Ive been stalking them for years taking pictures, without trying to be big headed I have a very good eye for spotting them! Have a look at some of my pics

 

[jimbo1984]

Thanks Jimbo, Ive been stalking them for years taking pictures, without trying to be big headed I have a very good eye for spotting them! Have a look at some of my pics

Excellent mate you clearly have an eye for them !

 

[Fadcode]

With regards to your partners health this shouldn't be an issue as he/she shouldn't have access to the keys to the gun safe. Basically the gun will be licenced for you to use only and it a legal requirement for partners without FAC's etc to have access. For your partner to have access would be classed as an offence.

Cabinet wise your landlord should have an issue other than you will need to make good the damage caused by bolting it to a brick wall.

Could you just clarify that highlighted statement please.

 

[springbok787]

Could you just clarify that highlighted statement please.

Sorry typo and a bad one. Should be illegal not legal.

Apologies all

 

[VSS]

They will want to know about other people who live in your house, and any health / psychological / domestic issues they may have / have had in the past. This is the sort of thing that gets talked about at your interview with the FEO. They might also want to ask your partner how he / she feels about having firearms in the house.