Met police persistently refuse my application

[urban]

I have a FAC and a deer-legal rifle. But I am restricted to target-only. I go stalking once or twice a year and I am obliged to use estate rifles rather than my own (which I'm far more familiar with, obvs). I have applied to have my FAC conditions changed to allow accompanied stalking but the Met police is just not having it. The home office guidelines literally state that “There is no requirement to establish ‘good reason’ for additional conditions” (Section 10.48) if you already own a rifle that you want to use for a different purpose. But the Met turned me down on the grounds that I don't have enough experience (20 years of target shooting, DSC1, safety officer at my clay shooting club). I am thoroughly fed up. Any advice?

U.

 

[slider]

I have a FAC and a deer-legal rifle. But I am restricted to target-only. I go stalking once or twice a year and I am obliged to use estate rifles rather than my own (which I'm far more familiar with, obvs). I have applied to have my FAC conditions changed to allow accompanied stalking but the Met police is just not having it. The home office guidelines literally state that “There is no requirement to establish ‘good reason’ for additional conditions” (Section 10.48) if you already own a rifle that you want to use for a different purpose. But the Met turned me down on the grounds that I don't have enough experience (20 years of target shooting, DSC1, safety officer at my clay shooting club). I am thoroughly fed up. Any advice?

U.

Are you a member of any shooting organisation such as SACS, NGO or BASC. They may be able to help. SACS in particular are good at this sort of thing.

 

[urban]

I'm a BASC member. I followed their advice for my second application. They said to quote the relevant home office guidance - which I did, and which the met police appeared to completely ignore. I don't want to **** off my FEO too badly because he could make my life difficult but, frankly, he doesn't appear to actually care about the home office guidance, he just says "not enough experience".

 

[Kalahari]

If you have a stalk booked you have "good reason" also don't worry too much about upsetting your FEO if you have the guidelines on your side emphasize this clearly. You can be forceful without being rude.

David.

 

[Cawdor118]

I'm a BASC member. I followed their advice for my second application. They said to quote the relevant home office guidance - which I did, and which the met police appeared to completely ignore. I don't want to **** off my FEO too badly because he could make my life difficult but, frankly, he doesn't appear to actually care about the home office guidance, he just says "not enough experience".

I love the old "not enough experience" chestnut. I reminds me of the the old job advert's for offshore workers - " 20 years north sea experience required, masters degree, 2 apprenticeships and must be <25 years old". If you don't get the chance, how can you ever gain "experience". I would as previously advised, contest that as far as I could. Utter nonsense.

 

[Roestalker39]

I'm a BASC member.

That’s your problem right there

 

[the_greenman]

Get the people who you say you go stalking with to write references as to your competence. If you still get no further with you FEO consider getting BASC to take it up with head of department to discuss why this particular FEO doesn't agree...

 

[palmer_mike]

submit your request in writing and insist that it is formally approved or denied in writing.

 

[Littlejimmy]

Take it you have asked what they need in experience? Obviously not gun handling or safety...

 

[TH4]

You say the met police won't allow it then you say it is the FEO. Which is it? If it is just the FEO then speak to the manager as he does not make the decision, it is the manager that says yes or no. If the manager is saying no then ask them to put in writing why they are refusing your request and why they are ignoring the home office guidelines

 

[Stalker62]

.

 

[sh1kar]

Eh?

 

[enfieldspares]

Not much help to the OP but it does at least show that the DSC1 hasn't helped at all in his application.

 

[mereside]

They can't ignore you put back in with past receipts and a couple of current dates that you have planned along with a letter from who ever your going out with, don't be worried about upsetting them that's your first mistake, you have good reason so take it further, politely and firmly that's all and don't take no for the answer, regards wayne

 

[long_range_rob]

Put it in again and insist that they give a written definition of sufficient experience. That means you can put in place ticks for all their experience boxes and reapply yet again.

 

[Selous]

I’m with Mike Palmer on this, request clarification on the reasons in writing then be prepared to argue your case. Ask for information on how go about appealing including going to court.

 

[Utectok]

I think SACS would help here they have an ex police firearms officer who usually sorts this sort of thing in a jiffy. Join and give them a call then apply for a variation. But.....
having said that this is strange and if there is some other reason and they are just being polite saying no experience then it might not be that simple? Often people go to their shooting organisation and say help me out and lie about some significant history that makes everyone look foolish.. not saying your that sort of person but it happens more than you would think...

 

[andyk]

I’d usually agree about not ****ing of your FEO too much but seeing as they’re making your life about as hard as they can anyway, it doesn’t seem you have much more to lose.

As others say, assuming there isn’t actually some proper (unmentioned) reason for the refusal I’d be complaining to the chief constable and possibly the PCC.

If you have a rifle there is simply no reason to limit what you can do with it if you can evidence another use.

I’d also kick up a bit of a fuss with BASC to actually do something useful. They appear keen to demonstrate that they’re still on their members side having ditched the legal expenses insurance and successfully challenging a wrongful refusal would help to show this. Your case would seem ripe for this, again on the basis that you haven’t overlooked something major.

 

[User00040]

Move to Scotland

 

[VSS]

Forget the "not enough experience" nonsense, just book a paid stalk (preferably somewhere that doesn't have an estate rifle available) and then they've got no choice but to amend your cert. You've already got an initial "good reason" and are clearly deemed suitable to hold a FAC.