Interesting Avon and Somerset query

[1000kilograhams]

Not legal as such, apologies if this is incorrectly placed.

A friend of mine is waiting for a first time FAC / SGC application.

I think it's been around 9 months since the initial application, home visit done etc.

What's curious about this is he emailed them (A&S Police) at the begining of October 2025 and they said he was number 31 in the queue.

He emailed them earlier today (mid/end of Jan 2026) and they said he was number... drum roll... 31 in the queue.

Now of course renewals need to be processed first and will bump new grants back in the queue, that's a given, but I'm interested what people's thoughts are on this as to me it is suspect that it hasn't moved forward, position wise, in 3 months and makes me wonder how or why it would move forward in another 3 months, or 6 months, or however long.

Everyone I've spoken to who has recently had either FAC/SGC granted in this area has mentioned a year's wait, almost to the day, and Avon and Somerset seem to have mentioned a year to him a couple of times now, too.

Not looking for a rant or any anger, but wondering if I am being unduly suspicious as it feels as if there is something sneaky going on here. I've heard of extremely long variation times recently also.

 

[Canine]

Not all Firearms Licensing Departments operate with the same structure, however I would imagine that in this case the authoriser will process a series of applications in one go.

 

[1000kilograhams]

That's an interesting reply, thank you. I hadn't considered them doing a batch, as it were but that would go some way to explaining the literal complete lack of progress.

Seems like a poorly thought out approach, or at the leat very poor "customer" service considering we are paying in both tax and specific FAC/SGC fees.

I guess this stems from the Chief having to sign them off personally? Again, that seems poorly thought out in itself as that surely undermines the rest of the links in the chains' work, but hey ho...

No use in them arguing with them and no use getting too annoyed when it is the way it is, but it always feels like something is inherently wrong with this process and I just hate to see it / hear it.

Thanks again for the insight

 

[Jeff8861]

Here is a possibility. Over night an incident occurs involving one or more certificate holders, this is a serious incident. I would expect a large amount of staff would be pulled off the grants and renewals to work on the incident. Fld dont have the resilience to cope with these incidents or staff on the sick or an upheaval in the constabulary.
Not saying this has happened but fld are vulnerable to the slightest pressures in demand.

 

[Canine]

That's an interesting reply, thank you. I hadn't considered them doing a batch, as it were but that would go some way to explaining the literal complete lack of progress.

Seems like a poorly thought out approach, or at the leat very poor "customer" service considering we are paying in both tax and specific FAC/SGC fees.

I guess this stems from the Chief having to sign them off personally? Again, that seems poorly thought out in itself as that surely undermines the rest of the links in the chains' work, but hey ho...

No use in them arguing with them and no use getting too annoyed when it is the way it is, but it always feels like something is inherently wrong with this process and I just hate to see it / hear it.

Thanks again for the insight

The Chief Constable gives authority to certain Staff/Officers to perform various licensing functions, including granting Certificates, so they aren’t actually signed off by the Chief Constable personally, but each force works differently so A&S might still only have one or two people who can authorise them.

I agree that it is poor customer service, however the priority is always going to be current certificate holders, for obvious reasons. The system is certainly flawed, and there are huge issues nationwide it seems. My concern is not so much about wait times, which is obviously very frustrating, but more about processes and checks not being done correctly, because nothing is going to destroy our sport faster than someone having a gun that shouldn’t, and a knee jerk response as a result.

 

[wytonpjs]

I guess this stems from the Chief having to sign them off personally? Again, that seems poorly thought out in itself as that surely undermines the rest of the links in the chains' work, but hey ho...

I've never looked that closely at the signatures on mine but my last issued Sep 25 does not look like Sarah Crew whom I believe assumed command in Nov 21! Its an electronically applied image that looks like Clemi with as much longer surname and an illegible 3-digit Police Number. It has been the same on all of my varied certificates back 2023 although I then have a gap to a different signature in 2021. I have always assumed it to be a delegated responsibility though, so never given it much thought!

Edit: my post crossed with @Canine 's in the ether....

 

[Jeff8861]

Chief never signs the authority is given to the flm.

 

[1000kilograhams]

I appreciate all of the replies here, all are food for thought and all are more things to consider, so thank you to all of you.

I can certainly see any incident being very taxing for an already overworked department.

I also agree 100% that people who shouldn't have firearms having them is a recipe for disaster for anyone and everyone who enjoys shooting, be it hunting or target and these things reach far further than the people who are/were impacted directly.

Thanks again

 

[Canine]

I appreciate all of the replies here, all are food for thought and all are more things to consider, so thank you to all of you.

I can certainly see any incident being very taxing for an already overworked department.

I also agree 100% that people who shouldn't have firearms having them is a recipe for disaster for anyone and everyone who enjoys shooting, be it hunting or target and these things reach far further than the people who are/were impacted directly.

Thanks again

It’s been a pleasure to chat. All the best

 

[25 Sharps]

Chief never signs the authority is given to the flm.

Not always the case, most of mine have been signed by the FLM but I have had some signed by the Chief.

 

[dillieboy]

My friend applied and has been approved almost a year to the day. This is also with Avon and Somerset. Still waiting despite several phone calls. It's the gap between inspection/approval and signing the certificate that is frustrating.

 

[AfricaRob]

I have been waiting a year next month for grant (A&S) - so fingers crossed.
Officers and other staff have been helpful and responsive - think they are just short of resources.