IPCC complaint

[Conor O'Gorman]

There is no governmental will to change the way firearms laws are administered in the UK. There is also no joined up thinking about virtually anything in the UK. When it comes to UK firearms laws and field sports, it strikes me that even those who are participants can't agree amongst themselves. Don't hold your breath thinking anything is going to change for the better in the future. I was born and lived in England for 53 years, had shotguns since I was 16, and had FAC for 33 years before moving to Sweden. My dealing with the authorities here from day one regarding importing and using my firearms has been nothing but cordial and hassle free.
I do look back at the UK with a sad smile at the complete mess the UK has become.
Now, being a Swedish citizen, there is no chance I'll ever movie back to the UK. The thought of having to apply for a FAC and going through all the crap that has been written about in this thread would take away my will to live.
I was a WAGBI/ BASC from the age of 16 to 53.
Well that's my morning waffling out the way and I'm off out to feed our ducks, hopefully get one more duck shoot before the water freezes over and give the lab pup a bit of training.

Thanks for the context and given your experience perhaps the following article may be of interest:

Sweden may have the answer to America’s gun problem

Vox is a general interest news site for the 21st century. Its mission: to help everyone understand our complicated world, so that we can all help shape it. In text, video and audio, our reporters explain politics, policy, world affairs, technology, culture, science, the climate crisis, money...

www.vox.com

 

[Apthorpe]

Of course there is a 'lack of consistency' in firearms licensing - because the decision is made by humans.

The system is not perfect (because it is designed and operated by humans), and there have been some terrible decisions made by FLDs: but my point still stands.

If I was the FLM, and I was reviewing an application, I would seek to review all the intelligence, and previous decisions that were held.

If I was the FLM, I'd want to administer the system intelligently and get things done. I do fully accept that achievement is a dirty word in the public sector, and that the creation of unnecessary work and process is the primary aim.

I am upcoming for renewal myself in the New Year. I fully expect them to review, all the data that is held against my name.

Fun fact.

I am going 'old school' with a paper application, a cheque, and photograph, so am already expecting fun and games.

View attachment 393955View attachment 393956View attachment 393957

 

[Jagare]

Thanks for the context and given your experience perhaps the following article may be of interest:

Sweden may have the answer to America’s gun problem

Vox is a general interest news site for the 21st century. Its mission: to help everyone understand our complicated world, so that we can all help shape it. In text, video and audio, our reporters explain politics, policy, world affairs, technology, culture, science, the climate crisis, money...

www.vox.com

The article is reasonably accurate. The hunting exam can be done on a intensive course over a short period but you would need to have studied the course literature thoroughly beforehand.
Swedish gun laws are not dissimilar to UK gun laws. It's the application that is different. The hunting exam and gun laws are applied the same throughout the country.
Even here the police occasionally over step the mark but are normally told there place by the government or courts.
I stand to be corrected but I think in the UK there are 9 guns per 100 people and Sweden it's 36 guns per 100 people. If I remember right our Nordic neighbour Finland is #3 in the world for gun ownership per 100 people.

 

[Stalker62]

If I was the FLM, I'd want to administer the system intelligently and get things done. I do fully accept that achievement is a dirty word in the public sector, and that the creation of unnecessary work and process is the primary aim.

Not managed to get out yet?

 

[Apthorpe]

Not managed to get out yet?

The large majority of my household's income is paid to the state and I don't have disposable income. The majority, if not the totality, of your household's income is received from the state and you do have both time and disposable income. Given the obvious inequality, making snide comments in threads where you're claiming the public sector is underfunded might seem somewhat graceless.

No. I am stuck indoors with an excess of work and caring for sick relatives (largely owing to the failures of the NHS essentially to turn up to work, or to be able to organise anything). I had been hoping to get a day's shooting on Saturday, but weather forecast has put that in doubt.

 

[Stalker62]

The majority, if not the totality, of your household's income is received from the state and you do have both time and disposable income.

@Apthorpe

Is that true? You have no clue where my 'income' originates.

Given the obvious inequality, making snide comments in threads where you're claiming the public sector is underfunded might seem somewhat graceless.

There is no 'obvious inequality' - I know nothing of your personal circumstances, and I can assure you, you know nothing of mine. Not sure how my asking if you had managed to get out yet, can be interpreted as 'snide'?

My suggestion about you trying to get out, was genuine as was the follow up.

No. I am stuck indoors with an excess of work and caring for sick relatives (largely owing to the failures of the NHS essentially to turn up to work, or to be able to organise anything). I had been hoping to get a day's shooting on Saturday, but weather forecast has put that in doubt.

Again I know nothing of your personal circumstances, but again note your reference in the 'failures' of the NHS.

I do hope you manage to get out on Saturday - even if it is just for a walk.

 

[jthyttin]

I stand to be corrected but I think in the UK there are 9 guns per 100 people and Sweden it's 36 guns per 100 people. If I remember right our Nordic neighbour Finland is #3 in the world for gun ownership per 100 people.

This is the usual Small Arms Survey b*ll**** bingo that lives a live of it's own. They use some made up percentage of registered to unregistered firearms.

In Europe, vast majority of firearms are registered, oh in France single barrel shotguns used to be in D category i.e. no need to even register. Btw France has f*cked up EU firearm legislation big time and several occurences.

But in Finland, practically every firearm is registered and the real ownership doesn't differ from other Western/Northern European countries. A bit over 8% of population hold a firearm certificate (and thus own a firearm, since we don't have "open slot" policy on certificates). And there are a bit less than 27 firearms per 100 citizens.