Is an FAC worth it ?

[Deerhunter22]

Hi, I want to apply for an FAC I’ve been on quite a few guided stalks now but want to take that next step to getting an FAC then possibly more chance securing my own land afterwards.
But with all my research, YouTube ect I’m just having 2nd thoughts. It sounds like even without reason they can revoke certificates, and that it’s just in general hassle trying to obtain and maintain a certificate. The obtaining side of things is reasonable, don’t want to be handing out the rights to a rifle to a drug dealer not that I would imagine that kind of person even applys for one lol but you get my point.
Just wondering what others think is the hassle and risks worth it. Wouldn’t ever want a revocation to end in a loss of a lot of money I’ve read and heard the horror story’s especially in the wake of tht Plymouth shooting a few years ago. I’m in Scotland btw

 

[olliehopes]

If you've not been a bad boy go for it. If you think you're a risk having an FAC should you really be going out on paid stalks? The Police don't revoke for fun. They have to have proof that you're a danger to society!

 

[Stalker62]

Having a FAC/SGC comes with a financial and significant legal obligations.

If you are in any doubt about your desire to lawfully and financially engage with the process, perhaps it's not for you.

 

[enfieldspares]

If you go down the cheap, cheerfful, yet good quality and gets the job done you can get a secondhand stalking calibre rifle and a decent 'scope for under £400. In some cases in fact the 'scope will be more than half of that cost. And, again, if you don't reload you can buy factory ammunition and save all that money on a press, dies, powder, primers, and the components. I in fact ONLY reload because my press dates from when I reloaded pistol ammunition and shot Enfield rifles in competition. If I started now I'd be very inclined to use factory ammunition.

 

[andyk]

Some of it is scaremongering (not all, mind) so don’t be put off if it’s what you really want to do.

Most of the people on here have U.K. licenses and do so without significant issue, which should tell you something about how much weight to give the stories you find online.

I’d say there’s quite a lot of faff getting licensed but once you’re in it’s not too bad.

What I’d say is that if you second thoughts are just because of scare stories online, then ignore them and get your application in. If it’s really because you’re not sure you’re that fussed, then perhaps use an Estate Rifle for a little longer before deciding.

Of course, the advice assumes there aren’t good reasons for you being denied a license. If there are, that’s a different matter.

 

[Tim.243]

Hi, I want to apply for an FAC I’ve been on quite a few guided stalks now but want to take that next step to getting an FAC then possibly more chance securing my own land afterwards.
But with all my research, YouTube ect I’m just having 2nd thoughts. It sounds like even without reason they can revoke certificates, and that it’s just in general hassle trying to obtain and maintain a certificate. The obtaining side of things is reasonable, don’t want to be handing out the rights to a rifle to a drug dealer not that I would imagine that kind of person even applys for one lol but you get my point.
Just wondering what others think is the hassle and risks worth it. Wouldn’t ever want a revocation to end in a loss of a lot of money I’ve read and heard the horror story’s especially in the wake of tht Plymouth shooting a few years ago. I’m in Scotland btw

If you drive a car/truck the cost of running one a year, also driving responsibly as one pint could cost your licence/job.
For me a Fac/Sgc is a replacement to my diving as it is far cheaper, (don't think I could manage a 5 tank dive these days)
the dogs have a great time also with some foxing for farms it is a cheap outlet to stalking/pigeon shooting.

A cert runs for 5 years so with bargains out there with kit then divide your cost into 5 yrs
Rifle
mod
scope
bins
sticks
couple of knives
rope
cheap fridge out the local paper.

On that note off out for a wait in the H/S then foxing for the farmer.

 

[Deerhunter22]

If you've not been a bad boy go for it. If you think you're a risk having an FAC should you really be going out on paid stalks? The Police don't revoke for fun. They have to have proof that you're a danger to society!

I’ve not been a bad boy lol no drugs here just using that as an example. I just came across in my research on fac’s and what to apply for ect that they’re a lot of talk and around revoking or asking for voluntarily surrender admittedly it mostly news from across the border. I know I pose absolutely no threat to anyone and have never beaten anyone up ect just making a point and asking a question is all ae

 

[Cuthy246]

Think a lot of the revocation stuff is overstated. Figures from police Scotland annual report (2021-2022) show 874 granted with 23 refused, 5861 renewed with 14 refused and only 61 revoked.

 

[Deerhunter22]

Having a FAC/SGC comes with a financial and significant legal obligations.

If you are in any doubt about your desire to lawfully and financially engage with the process, perhaps it's not for you.

Lawfully and financially are fine by me that isn’t the issue it’s the what ifs I’m going through the what if you are asked to surrender a rifle for whatever reason what’s the process there can you have that stored with and RFD ect ? Just heard the story’s of police loosing them playing loose with the word loosing just meaning they maybe sold them on or something I’ve just heard those story’s and particularly from a family friend.
Can’t see why I’d have to surrender or be revoked not unless police up here went the same route as Cornwall when that shooting happened and were revoking everyone

 

[Pete1774]

There's currently a review of everything firearms which could mean an increase in the cost of FACs and further restrictions.
GPs also seem to see the med cert as a "nice little earner" My GP has just increased the cost from £55 to £90
If you're going to get one then the sooner the better.

 

[Deerhunter22]

There's currently a review of everything firearms which could mean an increase in the cost of FACs and further restrictions.
GPs also seem to see the med cert as a "nice little earner" My GP has just increased the cost from £55 to £90
If you're going to get one then the sooner the better.

See with certs do you just contact the doctor ? I was going to just use medcert for an ease and less hassle also don’t want to get a medical done by a doctor who then try’s to charge 400 like one I’ve hear of in Edinburgh seems outrageous that for someone who doesn’t know you to say yes think he is trust worthy

 

[andyk]

Can’t see why I’d have to surrender or be revoked not unless police up here went the same route as Cornwall when that shooting happened and were revoking everyone

I think D&C revocations were overstated.

What came out shortly after Plymouth was that Davison should not have had an SGC and D&C knew it (or, if they didn’t, that was due to a breakdown in internal communication).

That led all forces to undertake a review to make sure that they didn’t have similar situations, i.e. people where they failed to act on info they had.

It seems perfectly plausible that Davison wasn’t the only “bad egg” that D&C had failed to deal with properly and that their review led to them sorting others out, or perhaps deciding that borderline cases that previously hadn’t caused a revocation probably should do.

One of the YouTube shooting channels found a couple of people who’d been revoked in the aftermath and made it sound like a serious injustice. However, I recall one of the videos didn’t show the final page of the revocation letter on which the earlier part of the letter implied the reasons would be on. All in, it looked like there was a lot more to those revocations than meet the eye.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure the police do over react in some situations but I can believe there were some justified revocations and that some of the most vocal in response to that had a axe to grind and/or were just stirring the pot.

 

[Deerhunter22]

If you go down the cheap, cheerfful, yet good quality and gets the job done you can get a secondhand stalking calibre rifle and a decent 'scope for under £400. In some cases in fact the 'scope will be more than half of that cost. And, again, if you don't reload you can buy factory ammunition and save all that money on a press, dies, powder, primers, and the components. I in fact ONLY reload because my press dates from when I reloaded pistol ammunition and shot Enfield rifles in competition. If I started now I'd be very inclined to use factory ammunition.

I can afford the costs of this sport buying rifles ect it’s the what if we have a time where police want to revoke or have you surrender because of god forbid something like Plymouth happens I wouldn’t want yo
Just say bye to £1000’s maybe just reading too much and getting my head into a hole. I can’t see why outwith a response like that to a shooting I’d have my license revoked

 

[nun_hunter]

Remember people post about negative experiences more often and with more passion than people who just have a good experience or as expected.

 

[timbrayford]

Hi, I want to apply for an FAC I’ve been on quite a few guided stalks now but want to take that next step to getting an FAC then possibly more chance securing my own land afterwards.
But with all my research, YouTube ect I’m just having 2nd thoughts. It sounds like even without reason they can revoke certificates, and that it’s just in general hassle trying to obtain and maintain a certificate. The obtaining side of things is reasonable, don’t want to be handing out the rights to a rifle to a drug dealer not that I would imagine that kind of person even applys for one lol but you get my point.
Just wondering what others think is the hassle and risks worth it. Wouldn’t ever want a revocation to end in a loss of a lot of money I’ve read and heard the horror story’s especially in the wake of tht Plymouth shooting a few years ago. I’m in Scotland btw

If you have "good reason" you are entitled to an FAC !

 

[VSS]

Obtaining a FAC isn't difficult and, provided you behave yourself, keeping it isn't difficult either.
For every one negative / scaremongering story you have heard there will be hundreds of people who've held a FAC for many years without any bother whatsoever.

 

[enfieldspares]

I can afford the costs of this sport buying rifles ect it’s the what if we have a time where police want to revoke or have you surrender because of god forbid something like Plymouth happens I wouldn’t want yo
Just say bye to £1000’s maybe just reading too much and getting my head into a hole. I can’t see why outwith a response like that to a shooting I’d have my license revoked

Been there twice in 1988 when self loading rifles were banned and in 1996 when pistols were banned. Both by those "friends of shooting" the Tories BTW. Everything can be "banned" if the Government decides be it gin traps, flick knives and gravity knives, foie gras production, mink farming,100 Watt lightbulbs, so called "dirty" diesels in London, wood burning stoves, leaded paint, curved swords, telescopic batons and etc., etc.. If it's lawful and it's an activity you want to do then do it. If it get's banned then it's gets banned. At least you enjoyed it whilst you could. Life's too short to worry about what's next. Heck a my age I often go to sleep thinking that one of those nights I may not wake up next morning.

 

[vpk999]

Hi, I want to apply for an FAC I’ve been on quite a few guided stalks now but want to take that next step to getting an FAC then possibly more chance securing my own land afterwards.
But with all my research, YouTube ect I’m just having 2nd thoughts. It sounds like even without reason they can revoke certificates, and that it’s just in general hassle trying to obtain and maintain a certificate. The obtaining side of things is reasonable, don’t want to be handing out the rights to a rifle to a drug dealer not that I would imagine that kind of person even applys for one lol but you get my point.
Just wondering what others think is the hassle and risks worth it. Wouldn’t ever want a revocation to end in a loss of a lot of money I’ve read and heard the horror story’s especially in the wake of tht Plymouth shooting a few years ago. I’m in Scotland btw

It's all down to what you want to do. I can give you 2 scenarios and pick the one you prefer:-

1. Buy a football season ticket for maybe £1000 or more. Go to a game with 60,000 other fans and spent your afternoon screaming, shouting abuse at the players and other fans and getting totally worked up.

or

2. Do your DSC1 and get your FAC, SGC and your Scottish airgun licence whilst you're at it. Buy a decent rifle and scope combination for say £3000 or less. Get a permission from a local friendly farmer or pay maybe £800 per year to be a member of a syndicate. Spend 5 or 6 hours in the hills or fields stalking and perfecting your field craft. The peace and tranquility is bliss, especially at 4 am on a Summer morning after roe bucks, whilst everybody else is sleeping.

I have met loads of like minded pals through, shooting, stalking and rifle clubs and will continue to do it for as long as my health allows.

Don't let the dooms day merchants put you off.

 

[hoodwink]

If you can get your doctor to do the medical certification, not all doctors do, it will usually be quicker and cheaper.it has to go through your doctors anyway to supply the medical notes and i think a marker on your records, if thats not the case it will soon.
absolutely go for it dont hesitate, its a great pastime or profession. Scotland i think is Deer central, and your biggest cost to some of the best Stalking in the world is fuel for the vehicle to get you there, especially if you get your own permission.
Good luck with your endeavour.

 

[Stalker62]

Lawfully and financially are fine by me that isn’t the issue it’s the what ifs I’m going through the what if you are asked to surrender a rifle for whatever reason what’s the process there can you have that stored with and RFD ect ? Just heard the story’s of police loosing them playing loose with the word loosing just meaning they maybe sold them on or something I’ve just heard those story’s and particularly from a family friend.
Can’t see why I’d have to surrender or be revoked not unless police up here went the same route as Cornwall when that shooting happened and were revoking everyone

Just take a breath and (ironic I know) stop reading too much on the internet/YouTube/FaceBook/Tinder/Grinder/whogivesafcuk.

Devon & Cornwall Police are not 'revoking everyone'.

You haven't even got an FAC/SGC and already you are worried about the Police rocking up and taking your arsenal and selling it on GunTrader.

There are (obviously) instances where Police have issued FAC/SGC to people they had no right in so doing. We have all seen how that can pan out. Some Forces (Services) are now trying to shut the stable door, and are re-visiting their decisions to issue such FAC/SGC in the first place. Good. This needs to be done.

If the Police have got it wrong, then they need to put it right, and no right-minded individual would have an issue with that.

By and large. If you are 'sound' - you have nothing to fear.

However, Police will always (should always) act on any intelligence they have, that an individual is not fit/no longer fit, to hold firearms. This may (almost certainly will) involve them taking your guns.
Good - that is their job.

Firearms may have to been removed and stored at the local Sheriff's office or (at your expense - RFD).

Be aware. If you agree to 'voluntarily' surrender your firearms you have no legal right of appeal. If they need to, let them seize them and take the appeal route (if necessary) to its conclusion.

Plenty of folk, have their firearms seized for a period of time, and then returned when the investigation proves that any concerns were unfounded.

You are worrying way too much.