GMP and "Extra Checks"

[8x57]

So do I, shooters are just too nice or just too polite most of the time.
There are of course the exceptions but in general most shooters are far too compliant and are willing to accept all sorts of rubbish that is sometimes spouted by some of the twerps that they allow to answer the phone in firearms departments. It's a pity that you don't always get to speak to the organ grinder as many of the FEO's and their managers can be very helpful.

 

[stalker 79]

So i spoke to BASC today and there legal team, just like 8x57 said and otheres, i should have only sent them a letter informimg them of a address change and nothing more, so im going to collect my firearms tomorrow and crack on with stalking and foxing, he just said to wait till they arrange to call round and inspect the cabinets..

 

[kes]

There is no obligation for them to check your cabinet -YOU are responsible for the safekeeping of weapons granted under Section 1 or 2 and air rifles (where a youngster may have access otherwise).
The police do NOT have to approve the cabinet or its installation but it is wise to buy one which is sufficient to meet the criterion of 'safe-keeping' and cannot easily be removed.
Mine has not been inspected since I moved and I have changed the cabinet and bought 2 new rifles.
BASC'c advise is therefore incorrect.

 

[matt_hooks]

fox stalker, sadly I think you might have an issue recovering your guns from your RFD without some evidence that you are entitled to have them (i.e. a current FAC/SGC) It is unlawful for them to hand over a firearm to someone that cannot show they have a right to be in possession of it. Even if you leave your rifle at the RFD for a service, or to have some other work done, you need to show your FAC with either the relevant rifle on it, or an empty slot for them to sign that rifle on to. Sounds like the FEO has done a real number on you.

I moved to Scotland from Berkshire in October. I informed TVP the week before I moved, and have sent several reminders. I have also contacted Police Scotland to inform them directly (above and beyond what I am legall required to do). My renewal is due shortly. It's a good thing I was aware of this and sent the application in on time, as neither force bothered to send me a renewal reminder.

 

[Spaniel]

Hi all, just an update. I've held an FAC for over 30 years. Every dealing I've ever had with GMP has always been positive. Ive recently applied for a 1 4 1 variation, i had no option my old faithfull .243 finally siezed up and became unsafe. I chased up when I could expect my ticket back. A week later I've received a reply to my e-mail. My variation has been processed and has gone for research/vetting. This may take some weeks to complete. My FAC has been at the same address for its duration, I've not had any changes to my circumstances, Been pretty boring really, still married to the same woman for 40 years. Have I been abused by her no! Have I abused her no!. To be vetted sounds like a castration is about to be performed!!! I hope this is not going to be a horror story. I feel Violated, if I had quirks in my demeanour surly they would have shown up by now. What can I do about this daft situation. N A F thing.

 

[mollydog]

I sent in a 1 for 1 for a moderator in the first week of June and have still not received my certificate back either .After three phone calls they have no idea when I might receive it .
A very poor service from GMP

 

[tumbleweed]

So much for the Big IF, IF they are allowed to up the price etc etc Accepted by all these so called great associations, Everything will be all rosy and fine, Well according to these later posts some have been well and truly had their pants taken down and shafted by the powers that be. I worked for the government for over 20 years and in all that time i can tell you that your local MP just loves to get in about the govmnt depts as it makes them look brilliant to all their constituents, They don't have to mention exactly what the case was about but they do mention the dept and that they had been taken to task and the senior managers in this this case Chief Constables will be wanting to know what exactly is going on as these reports will go back to the ministers in Downing Street and somebody gets their erses felt on their way out the door. So don't forget the Pen is sometimes more powerful than you think.

 

[Spaniel]

Hi everyone!
well to carry on this bloody saga. To update I still am waiting for the return of my FAC for a 1 4 1 variation. I spoke to a staffs police fire arms officer at the midland game fair. I informed him I'd been waiting for 2 months for a fac variation. Quote: "Your bloody joking! It takes 15 minutes to administer and make changes." he advised me to write to them and reiterate that my circumstances had not changed so why the hold up. I duly e-mailed GMP and today I have received a reply.

The bones of which is. I am in the que with 50 others waiting vetting and My fac has been procesed. I'd already been told this a month ago. They have said they have to be careful and I can not jump the que. I don't want to expound anymore on my predicament, however I have already been vetted and granted An FAC!!! I don't feel I have the right jump any que. I'm not asking for that, I'm just asking for them to be reasonable and to do my 1 4 1 and return my FAC so I can purchase my new .243 and carry on with my recreation legally.

Any advise would be appreciated. I feel like a one legged man in an arse kicking contest!!!

Good hunting
spaniel

 

[kes]

My advice would be to send a letter (hardcopy) to the manager of the firearms and explosives unit concerned and ask for an explanation, citing the full, painful history. I would also quote that you have been advised by BASC and Staffs etc and was told that there is a backlog and that you cannot 'jump the queue'. Could he/she please give you a definitive statement on the delay and reasons for it, as you wish to advise your shooting organisation so they can act on your behalf and, if necessary copy the reply to the Police and Crime Commissioner for your area.
See what happens - you do have to rock the boat sadly but without any agression for the obvious reasons.

 

[Spaniel]

As old as I am I finally have learned to copy and paste.
This is the actual e-mail recieved today.

Unfortunately your file is still with our vetting dept. The variation has been processed but vetting still needs to be carried out. I appreciate what you are saying with regard to you being of good character and I don't doubt it. However, the same cannot be said of everybody, and as your file is with a few boxes of files for probably 50 other people, you will appreciate that it takes quite some time to complete. Your file may, or may not take long, but it won't be cherry picked from the box containing all the other files.

Please bear with us, we will get your certificate back to you as soon as we possibly can.

Regards
Firearms Licensing Unit
Greater Manchester Police
​

 

[AN DU RU FOX]

spaniel do what ive done ,,,give up! sorry but its the only suggestion i can give with regards gmp,i rang after three months got a reply ,write a letter and send it in,no response, sent an email back in the beginning of may no response,and before people say have some patience or get in touch with your insurer i have done but at the end of the day you still need someone to pop their head above the wall and say hello! now and again,i am now just waiting till my renewal comes around and see if i get any responce then,,,,,,and i know they are inundated with paperwork but come on answering an email,?

 

[Clayduster]

Has anyone got any up to date info of how long GMP are taking for variations please? Christmas is coming and I have a new rifle on order.

 

[reggiegun]

Mine was 5 months for a variation

 

[Clayduster]

Bloody hell the shop will have to keep it until March

 

[kes]

Just a suggestion. It seems quite a number of FAC owners are having the same difficulty here. What I suggest is you need to act together. I would contact a couple of likeminded GMP FAC holders and ask BASC/NGO/CA to send a specific series of questions to members in the GMC area. This could establish who are FAC holders of the total membership, their difficulties, and suggest you form an action group with your orgs to publicise the delay directly to P&CC's first and then the relevant member of parliament. Only by pushing this to the next level will anything change - this sint a service its a penalty. BASC etc should have taken this up already but........................?????

 

[Whitebeard]

Just a suggestion. It seems quite a number of FAC owners are having the same difficulty here. What I suggest is you need to act together. I would contact a couple of likeminded GMP FAC holders and ask BASC/NGO/CA to send a specific series of questions to members in the GMC area. This could establish who are FAC holders of the total membership, their difficulties, and suggest you form an action group with your orgs to publicise the delay directly to P&CC's first and then the relevant member of parliament. Only by pushing this to the next level will anything change - this sint a service its a penalty. BASC etc should have taken this up already but........................?????

Your having a laugh kes, one of the main reasons firearms licensing is in this mess in the first place is because too many FAC holders are frightened to rock the boat.

Ian.

 

[teyhan1]

Why don't people get their MP involved?
I did and it got a quick response.
You pay for them, use them and if many people write to their MP and make his life a misery, I bet he'll be crawling all over the Firearms Dept wanting answers.

 

[Spaniel]

Hi Whitebeard / Kes, I enjoy my sport. I would like to throttle the pen pushers who are dealing with my 1-4-1. However to rock the boat may cause me to have even more holdups. I've e-mailed, I've phoned I've felt as if I'm a bloody nusence to GMP. I've phoned BASC twice and been quoted nearly verbatim of the need for the police to protect the public, which is what GMP have said. I live in a labour safe seat so I'm not going to go there with my MP. As I have previously stated I'm a law abiding person who is being vetted for a second time in 5 years. I have other firearms and shotguns!! If I am now a possible risk to public safety, why hasnt plod taken my weapons during the last 4 months of this sorry saga!!


Gotta go there's someone at the door!! Could it be plod???

 

[Fallowfield14]

Sounds like GMP have gone back to the bad old days when James Anderton was the Chief Constable.

 

[dave 67]

Does seem to me to be totally different from my experiences with them, 1 month for initial grant of FAC, 1 week last time I had a variation in with them.
Shame as they always came across uber efficient before, guess someone has caused the system to back up.