My diary of my FAC application 😵‍💫

[Stalker62]

I would hazard a guess that the average age of a recreational shooter is towards the upper end of the scale for outdoor pursuits, therefore natural wasteage, for want of a more caring word, will only increase with every year that passes.

I will see your "Recreational Shooter" and raise you "Muzzler Loader".

Some years ago, I was watching a line of gentlemen, firing off their various black powder firearms at Bisley. I would guess I was about 45 years of age then.

Attracted by the smoke and noise, I wandered over to give my eyes a treat.

Very decent bunch, one of whom invited me to fire off some ancient piece of history. I did and enjoyed it immensely

"Are you interested in joining our club?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Well look at us. We are all dying out and there is no one under 70".



He was I think, only half joking.


Fast forward the hands of time, and last Sunday found me at Bisley meeting up with the MLAGB (Surrey Branch) to explore the possibilities of me joining that Club.

What saddened me, was that me turning up to observe, increased that day's attendance by 25%.

I kid you not.

One bloke (unseen) in the butts, one RO and one on the point, with some 1700s Swiss flintlock rifle that weighed as much as a family saloon.

I will however have another look at the club on one of their "Pistol Days".

Unless they get some 'fresh blood' injected into that club, I fear for the future.

 

[ruffapuffa]

It seems to be a trend across all types of bodies that everything is taking longer and you spend more time hanging on the phone. This slowdown feels like the new normal.

 

[Len the dog]

I'm well into my 50's and the last day I was invited to I was referred to as "the young 'un".

It is the same at work, I look around the table and I'm definitely still very close to the average. However that could just be my perception because shooting keeps me fit & healthy whereas sitting in the armchair watching football strangely enough doesn't.

 

[foxhunter]

I'm well into my 50's and the last day I was invited to I was referred to as "the young 'un".

Same here , mid 50s with all my hair ...often get called Son or young un

All the fresh air and exercise ....long may it continue

 

[BlackWing]

North Wales

Hey neighbour!

North Wales coast near the Welsh Riviera(as it was...)

 

[Steve2_1]

Same here , mid 50s with all my hair ...often get called Son or young un

All the fresh air and exercise ....long may it continue

Well I'm 38, I occasionally bring my 13 year old to my shooting club, and I definitely sense an element of delight when he comes along. Which is very nice. But shooting does seem to be very much a dwindling pursuit which is a shame.

I'm a part time scout leader, and occasionally we bring the kids to a nearby airgun range. Obviously in very a supervised environment but they love it

 

[Len the dog]

Hey neighbour!

North Wales coast near the Welsh Riviera(as it was...)

Born in Lancashire (God's own country), but grew up in Colwyn Bay.

 

[Len the dog]

Well I'm 38, I occasionally bring my 13 year old to my shooting club, and I definitely sense an element of delight when he comes along. Which is very nice. But shooting does seem to be very much a dwindling pursuit which is a shame.

I'm a part time scout leader, and occasionally we bring the kids to a nearby airgun range. Obviously in very a supervised environment but they love it

When my son was in Scouts I went through the DBS process to go along on the camps as a parent helper, I was horrified when it came to toasting marshmallows over the open fire, they wouldn't let the kids anywhere near it and the scout leaders did the toasting (with heavy rigger gloves on) and passed the marshmallows to the kids.

Absolutely no way would they have entertained so much as a catapult.

 

[bobthedug]

When my son was in Scouts I went through the DBS process to go along on the camps as a parent helper, I was horrified when it came to toasting marshmallows over the open fire, they wouldn't let the kids anywhere near it and the scout leaders did the toasting (with heavy rigger gloves on) and passed the marshmallows to the kids.

Absolutely no way would they have entertained so much as a catapult.

Until a couple of years ago, I was involved in our local Scout group. I had been a “parent helper” for years when my 2 kids were members and on retiring, I went through the process and got the necessary qualifications to become a Leader.
We were lucky to have qualified Archery and Airgun instructors and both indoor and outdoor ranges for both on a large farm who provided excellent facilities.
I became heavily involved in the air gunning side and it was very popular with the kids.
I remember though that the “permission slip” which the parent or guardians had to sign was amended to assure parents that “no target would represent any human or animal form”
It seems that the large Zombie targets that I bought and let the kids use went down a treat with them but not so much with one of the parents.
We even them preparing freshly caught fish and shot rabbits which were eaten with great delight after cooked at a camp fire.
A couple of times a year there was also clay pigeon shooting which was very well attended and enjoyed.
I don’t know if those pursuits were popular due to the Scout group being located in a rural, farming community but they were all done above board with all the necessary H snd S paperwork in place

 

[Len the dog]

Until a couple of years ago, I was involved in our local Scout group. I had been a “parent helper” for years when my 2 kids were members and on retiring, I went through the process and got the necessary qualifications to become a Leader.
We were lucky to have qualified Archery and Airgun instructors and both indoor and outdoor ranges for both on a large farm who provided excellent facilities.
I became heavily involved in the air gunning side and it was very popular with the kids.
I remember though that the “permission slip” which the parent or guardians had to sign was amended to assure parents that “no target would represent any human or animal form”
It seems that the large Zombie targets that I bought and let the kids use went down a treat with them but not so much with one of the parents.
We even them preparing freshly caught fish and shot rabbits which were eaten with great delight after cooked at a camp fire.
A couple of times a year there was also clay pigeon shooting which was very well attended and enjoyed.
I don’t know if those pursuits were popular due to the Scout group being located in a rural, farming community but they were all done above board with all the necessary H snd S paperwork in place

My son is now in the CCF at his school, one afternoon the contingent commander produced a brace of pheasant in the feather and asked who fancied a go. Apparently even he had never dressed a bird before so it was up to my 14 year old son to show them all how to do it, they then 'cooked' and ate them.
Fortunately there are still a few people around that understand the values that we shooters hold so dear, however much in the minority.

 

[Stalker62]

I remember though that the “permission slip” which the parent or guardians had to sign was amended to assure parents that “no target would represent any human or animal form”
It seems that the large Zombie targets that I bought and let the kids use went down a treat with them but not so much with one of the parents.

That parent is failing in their duty to prepare their offspring for the inevitable.

I first started to prepare for the apocalypse in 1978, when I saw this:-



Decades later, Simon Pegg (very funny man) obviously felt the same:-



As a consequence, he wrote and starred in this:-




All well and good, but what protection has he really provided for his children?

I am with @bobthedug on this. The next generation needs to be made ready.

They need to be able to "toast their own marshmallows".

In my house, we know better...








Not that the film "Dawn of the Dead" scared the bejesus out of me, and scarred me for life or anything...

 

[Len the dog]

I prepared for the apocalpyse when I saw this.

 

[Stalker62]

I prepared for the apocalpyse when I saw this.

View attachment 257880

That is just Zombies in swimwear.

So I'm told by those who have watched it...

 

[VSS]

This is all very true, and can't be ignored. An FAC is very much a privilege which has significantly more against than for, and really is at the bottom of the police priority list. It will get more difficult in time I'm sure. It's just sucks for us responsible, law abiding shooters.

No, it's not a privilege, it's a right. That's why it's called a certificate, not a licence. If you satisfy the criteria of sound mind etc etc then you have a right to own firearms. They can't just reject your application on a whim, and you don't need to pass a test or sit an exam.

 

[Steve2_1]

No, it's not a privilege, it's a right. That's why it's called a certificate, not a licence. If you satisfy the criteria of sound mind etc etc then you have a right to own firearms. They can't just reject your application on a whim, and you don't need to pass a test or sit an exam.

Think shotgun is a right, and firearm as in rifle is categorised differently? Anyhow, you are right, if one is of sound mind with a justified reason to own one and clear medicals, etc, then it should be granted.

 

[Apthorpe]

This assertion (held by many) is simply not supported by the evidence.

This from the H.O.


As at 31 March 2021, there were:

• 156,033 firearm certificates on issue, a 2% decrease
• 548,521 shotgun certificates on issue, a 3% decrease
• 565,929 people held a firearm and/or a shotgun certificate, a 3% decrease of 20,422 since last year

In the year ending 31 March 2021, there were:

• 4,988 new applications for firearm certificates, of which 98% were granted and 2% were refused

9825 applications in the year to 2017. A 49% decrease.

• 10,901 new applications for shotgun certificates, of which 97% were granted and 3% were refused

But there were 23,718 applications in the year to 2017. A 54% decrease.

• 2,566 new coterminous applications, of which 97% were granted and 3% were refused
• 306 firearms certificates were revoked – a decrease of 18% (-65) compared with the previous year and 0.2% of the total firearm certificates on issue
• 982 shotgun certificates were revoked – a decrease of 14% (-159) compared with the previous year and 0.2% of the total shotgun certificates on issue
• Experimental statistics: 365 firearms and shotguns were reported as lost or stolen; of which, 126 were lost and 239 were stolen

Whatever the figures are, I think you’re on a sticky wicket if you want to argue that police/Home Office policy can be correlated with outcomes.

 

[Len the dog]

Think shotgun is a right, and firearm as in rifle is categorised differently? Anyhow, you are right, if one is of sound mind with a justified reason to own one and clear medicals, etc, then it should be granted.

A chief constable is obliged to issue a person with a SGC unless he can prove them unsuitable, for an FAC the onus is on the applicant to prove that they are both suitable and have genuine reason.

 

[bobthedug]

That parent is failing in their duty to prepare their offspring for the inevitable.

I first started to prepare for the apocalypse in 1978, when I saw this:-

View attachment 257874

Decades later, Simon Pegg (very funny man) obviously felt the same:-

View attachment 257875

As a consequence, he wrote and starred in this:-


View attachment 257876

All well and good, but what protection has he really provided for his children?

I am with @bobthedug on this. The next generation needs to be made ready.

They need to be able to "toast their own marshmallows".

In my house, we know better...



View attachment 257877




Not that the film "Dawn of the Dead" scared the bejesus out of me, and scarred me for life or anything...

I actually saw these rounds for sale when I was in the States and according to the chap in the shop, they were selling like hot cakes!
Perhaps they know something we don’t?

 

[Len the dog]

I actually saw these rounds for sale when I was in the States and according to the chap in the shop, they were selling like hot cakes!
Perhaps they know something we don’t?

Let me guess, they thought 'World War Z' was a documentary.

 

[bobthedug]

Let me guess, they thought 'World War Z' was a documentary.

A bit of trivia for you. The opening scenes in that movie where all hell breaks loose with folk getting attacked and cars crashing was filmed in and around George Square, in Glasgow City Center.
I was actually there on one of the day filming.