My diary of my FAC application 😵‍💫

[Norfolk Deer Search]

There is nothing anyone can do, frustrating indeed.

20 years in and knowing what i know now I certainly wouldn’t have bothered and I certainly wouldn’t go through hassle of it again.

 

[sussexyeoman]

Disgraceful. I think that I would be starting to bug the local PCC and my MP for all the good it would achieve. They are the only recourse to trying to change the system that we have unfortunately.

As someone facing a similar delay now approaching a year, I'm always concerned about rocking the boat or making life difficult for the licensing team as they will ultimately be the ones giving the yay or nay to my application. Probably a bit irrational, but I don't want to give them any reason to deny me

 

[Druid]

Unfortunately I think that’s a common view and perfectly understandable but complaints about poor service is not a reason for refusing an application.
They would be out of a job if it was proved that that was their reasoning for refusal.

 

[Foxyboy43]

Unfortunately I think that’s a common view and perfectly understandable but complaints about poor service is not a reason for refusing an application.
They would be out of a job if it was proved that that was their reasoning for refusal.

This is precisely the problem I have encountered soooo many times - why accept this awful service from one public body when you would not think of accepting it from any others?

 

[sussexyeoman]

This is precisely the problem I have encountered soooo many times - why accept this awful service from one public body when you would not think of accepting it from any others?

Totally agree with you both, but I can't help feeling that due to the lack of transparency around decisions and the difficulties (and expense) of challenging anything in court there are not many equivalent situations. We are made to feel we must be grateful despite paying for the privilege vs accessing any other public service

 

[bowji john]

I’ve just done a variation and spoke in some length with the FEO responsible for dealing with it

There were some technical issues around ID ing Blaser bits and pieces - hence the conversation

He told me that he had to account for, and justify, every 15 minutes of his working day

There is always another side to all situations….

 

[badmolassesaccident]

I received a voicemail this morning from my FÈO saying that as my 8 week extension expires on 13 July he has issued temporary permits which allow me to still use my guns legally but can't buy any ammo.

What is going on, my renewal has been in since January?

You have been issued a Section 7 certificate.

Did you send your medical with the renewal?

Have the police contacted your referees?

This sounds like it is held up on information/checking. As it is work for the police to issue a S7, they may as well just put that effort into a renewal if there is nothing else they are waiting on.

As you have a Section 7, you are in lawful possession. But it means the police can now take even more time as they don’t need to seize your guns, which would make the police look bad.

 

[mealiejimmy]

Yes, but issuing section 7 s because they can't get a renewal done in time makes them look bad when the get inspected by HMIC and Chief Constables don't like getting bad marks when HMIC comes calling

Cheers

Bruce

 

[foxhunter]

You have been issued a Section 7 certificate.

Did you send your medical with the renewal?

Have the police contacted your referees?

This sounds like it is held up on information/checking. As it is work for the police to issue a S7, they may as well just put that effort into a renewal if there is nothing else they are waiting on.

As you have a Section 7, you are in lawful possession. But it means the police can now take even more time as they don’t need to seize your guns, which would make the police look bad.

Yes my medical report was sent with my renewal application but I dont think they have contacted referees yet.

Durham police have a huge staff shortage apparently but I dont understand why they dont just sort my application as it's a straightforward renewal with no changes and I've had it 35 years.

 

[Steve2_1]

......And the latest update, there 'aint one. Nothing has happened. But what will throw a spanner in the works is i'm moving soon, so i contacted Dorset Police to tell them im moving in October, here will be my new address. They said contact us when you move, and my application is in the queue. I reckon i've snookered myself getting frustrating now. 10 months in. If i get it this year, i'll be surprised.

 

[Dunwaters]

Its on issues like this that your national bodies, all of them need, to be more pro-active.
It might be an idea to query the whole medical certification process, it seems to be causing far more difficulty than is justified by either the expense, difficulty or time.
I’ve no idea what the certs are supposed to prevent, but maybe you should ask for the stats on whatever it is pre and post medical certificate requirements and see are they performing as intended?

 

[Foxyboy43]

Its on issues like this that your national bodies, all of them need, to be more pro-active.
It might be an idea to query the whole medical certification process, it seems to be causing far more difficulty than is justified by either the expense, difficulty or time.
I’ve no idea what the certs are supposed to prevent, but maybe you should ask for the stats on whatever it is pre and post medical certificate requirements and see are they performing as intended?

This is a good idea - maybe a Freedom of Information request seeking:-
1 the estimated delays in overall processing FACs caused by delays incurred by applicants now having to obtain med certs ( a before and after mandatory intro comparison would suffice);
2 the associated costs of such delays to the public purse; and
3 in light of 1 & 2 when a full appraisal of benefits/disbenefits will be undertaken and what and when remedial action will follow?

Sadly I cannot do this as we don’t have this idiotic system in NI - yet! In any case our licensing system is already in meltdown!

 

[Greenknight88]

This may be annoying to some of you but...

Just done my first application with South Yorkshire police, 11 weeks in total from application to a rifle in the cabinet..

And that's cleared for 4x section 1's

 

[Liveonce]

......And the latest update, there 'aint one. Nothing has happened. But what will throw a spanner in the works is i'm moving soon, so i contacted Dorset Police to tell them im moving in October, here will be my new address. They said contact us when you move, and my application is in the queue. I reckon i've snookered myself getting frustrating now. 10 months in. If i get it this year, i'll be surprised.

I understand not wanting to complain, but the way to do so is via your crime commissioner, make a formal complaint against the Chief Constable. As lack of resource will be down to budgets and it the crime commissioner who controls budgets allocated to the Chief Constable.
That way you are not complaining directly to the firearms manager/team.

edit to add, however it may be part of the wider agenda to justify full cost recovery of issuing certificates, ie we need more money for more resources.

 

[Lone wolf]

This may be annoying to some of you but...

Just done my first application with South Yorkshire police, 11 weeks in total from application to a rifle in the cabinet..

And that's cleared for 4x section 1's

That's not annoying at all its inspiring to see that some forces can and do get things done efficiently and in good time.

I'm 21 months into a grant with Durham and I would be surprised if I hear anything back this year!

 

[Liveonce]

That's not annoying at all its inspiring to see that some forces can and do get things done efficiently and in good time.

I'm 21 months into a grant with Durham and I would be surprised if I hear anything back this year!

you have more patience than I and totally unacceptable, I would be giving consideration to making that formal complaint and copying my MP in on it, also arrange a meeting with your MP.

21 months is incompetence.

 

[User00057]

I understand not wanting to complain, but the way to do so is via your crime commissioner, make a formal complaint against the Chief Constable. As lack of resource will be down to budgets and it the crime commissioner who controls budgets allocated to the Chief Constable.
That way you are not complaining directly to the firearms manager/team.

edit to add, however it may be part of the wider agenda to justify full cost recovery of issuing certificates, ie we need more money for more resources.

I would agree here. Over the years I have written to firearms to complain and it hasn’t even been acknowledged but when I went through the crime commissioner it was dealt with straight away( well they have 10 days to respond before its escalated, and both times have used the full 10 days) but bang on the 10th day I got a call and they were desperate to get the complaint off of their books. I had my cert back within the day and had a call to check and remind me to cancel the complaint. Turns out they had somehow removed the mod on one of my Cal so had to go back and was back again return of post.
I was complaining not to force a decision but the pure fact it had taken nearly a year and no one would respond to emails or return phone calls. I’m currently waiting for my renewal that is due 30th of this month Aug and I put it in 14weeks early so watch this space but I fear I will be getting a temp

 

[billbob]

I put in for fac grant back start June 21 with d and c. Was told didn't need medical report then just before Xmas was told I do managed get my medical in just before Xmas. Lots calls and emails and when I have spoken to the firearms department they have always been very polite but can't Really help much. Just waiting game was told. now I need this grant for my occupation (farmer) and was told 2 months ago this will be made a priority. Called up head office week ago. They seemed very shocked I had not had my home visit. And informed they will email north devon to get this sorted. And still had no response from them at all. Very disappointing. And a complete load lies on the website regards the time scales they state. And new staff have been appointed back in May but they all went to other parts the South West. No new work force for North devon.

 

[JTO]

Out of interest, I have another 30 months before renewal, what has been the timescale if Medcert is used?
I had to write a personal letter to my GP just to get an appointment with the nurse practitioner, such is the protection that the Rottweilers in reception give them.

 

[Kersnow]

Applied last September, cheque cashed early October and nothing since then. They have even stopped replying to emails have sent in to confirm paid stalks etc.

Am finding our so called represetative bodies do nothing but spout hot air and achieve nothing