Scotland FAC grant processing times

[Anser anser]

As per title. im wondering if anybody has first hand recent info on how they are doing at this point in time. Its been 3 months now for myself and im reluctant to chase it up again just yet (i phoned for an update about 3 weeks ago since i was told by BASC that ,regarding grants, they are now at 12 weeks turnaround ) .When i called in to enquire about time frames I was advised by a FEO that this BASC opinion is sadly incorrect and its more like 16 weeks .I know they are genuinely busy dealing with renewals as a priority whilst being predictably under staffed so me phoning up again probably achieves nothing.

 

[NullMac]

If it is a renewal they will take the full 16 weeks. It will not happen earlier it will appear probably just before it expires. They have a system to prevent your cert expiring just because others are in front of you in the queue for the cert to get issued.

 

[Anser anser]

This is for a grant m8, i did have the wee .22rf rifle many decades ago .The rabbit population dwindled so i packed it in. Concentrated 100% on fowling instead.

 

[Fiadh]

Police Scotland have a general deadline of 16 weeks to complete their enquiries and issue new certificates from the date they receive the application, so you are still within their timeframe. Once your FEO visit is complete, the process is usually quite quick from there.

 

[chriswjx]

As Blitzking said. I found this out when doing my SGC, as the gun shop was saying it was a 16wk queue, but after speaking to the FEO (who contacted me after 2 weeks) the 16 week time line is a general time frame to complete their stuff - can be extended in some cases if medicals etc are delayed.

I would add though, that speaking to guys in a different shop about FACs, they were under the impression its currently on a 9 month delay...

I just joined a rifle club in Edinburgh to do my probation in aid of applying for the FAC, I will ask at the next club shoot if as I'm sure there's one or two newer members who've put in for their licences recently.

 

[Rake Aboot]

Just renewed mine

Was told at the outset that if it went past my renewal date they would want my guns in storage as I would not have a valid fac
After the feo visit it took around 11 phone calls about inane details and queries and it was posted out with a few days to spare.
They even called with a querie the day after the cert was posted

 

[Muirmains]

I found over the years , it’s up to them. If they want to do it quick they can , if not they won’t. They will stick to what ever time scale they say say 16 weeks if it goes over that , they will say they are busy. They do what they want when they want, you’ll just need to wait , it should be sorted either way by Xmas. I am not being funny since it’s a grant they don’t care there is no pressure on them. A renewal if your tick runs out you can start shouting about section 7 ect. It should not take to Xmas , it will just take as long as they want . Stop phoning them it does nothing , but **** them off.

 

[AGR]

According to firearms legislation, you have an automatic two month extension if the fault is theirs, not yours.

 

[Twodogs]

As above, and then they can still issue a S7 permit.

 

[Muirmains]

As I said in my experience they do what they want. I totally believe you that’s in the legislation, that matters not. You’ve got to take them to court for that. I once recall being told a story by a copper that shot . I think it was to do with that copper who now works for sasc , can be sure but anyway the copper was having probs with a neighbour and the neighbour reports him as he new the copper shot allegations about can’t mind right what the allegations were but the copper went to a lawyer and it turned out they could not revoke for what ever reason was . The copper I was talking to spoke to the copper in firearms and informed him that you could not do it because it was against the law. The copper in firearm’s agreed that it was against the law, but if he surrendered his fac just now , he could keep the shotgun and get his fac back in a year or he would revoke both and it would take about 2 years to go to appeal. I don’t know how long it takes to go to appeal but that’s the story I was told . I do know my ticket ran out once Pitt street Glasgow I was asking for a section 7 permit only to be told , no you don’t need that , because we know you got them ! Even though it’s against the law , re my comment they do as they please.

 

[Rake Aboot]

Yup
You can whistle for a section 7 up here , they can’t be arsed with them.

 

[mealiejimmy]

Agreed, they don't want to issue section 7 because it looks bad when the HMIC comes along and finds evidence that they haven't been doing their jobs properly.

Cheers

Bruce

 

[Nehty]

It will depend on which area you are in. I got a new FAC application through in 16 weeks almost to the day last summer. I heard all manor rumours from local rfd's and club members that there were weeks of delays, not to expect it till next year etc. but it all turned out to be rubbish.

I attended a session hosted by STS in the lead up to submitting the application where the head of licensing in Scotland did a talk and Q&A on the licensing process. He confirmed it really did come down to how busy the local licensing force in your area are as to whether they would meet the target time frame of 16 weeks or not and they prioritised renewals as i think some mentioned above. I was lucky as my area (aberdeenshire & highlands) were one of the better areas with no delays and it still took the full 16 weeks.

Much like you, i chased mine up at one point during the process and got absolutely nothing on progress until the license came in the post one morning.

I know that probably doesn't help. Hope you get some good news soon!

 

[Anser anser]

Away to be signed off now . Still some movement is better than none. Not too bad overall thus far-its been by my reckoning 18 weeks thus far.

 

[Heym SR20]

Just had my renewal through. Matter of three or four weeks from letter, through to interview and note saying all in order. My new ticket arrived about four weeks before old one expired.

That’s in Edinburgh. FEO said they are all caught up and now new certificates issued in goodly time provided everything checks out.

 

[Mickeydredd]

My co-terminus Renewal timeline (Ayrshire):

06/03/2023 - Renewal letter received from Police Scotland
11/04/2023 - GP visit and form completed and sent to Police Scotland directly by GP
05/06/2023 - Fee paid by bank transfer
05/06/2023 - FLO home visit, very pleasant and helpful chap. When asked, he advised that my certificates should be issued before my renewal date with no need to lodge with RFD. Suggested I hold on to my current licence/certificate and hand them into Cumnock station upon receipt of my new documents. He did say they were currently very busy.
26/06/2023 - FAC/SGC expiry date

 

[Mickeydredd]

My co-terminus Renewal timeline (Ayrshire):

06/03/2023 - Renewal letter received from Police Scotland
11/04/2023 - GP visit and form completed and sent to Police Scotland directly by GP
05/06/2023 - Fee paid by bank transfer
05/06/2023 - FLO home visit, very pleasant and helpful chap. When asked, he advised that my certificates should be issued before my renewal date with no need to lodge with RFD. Suggested I hold on to my current licence/certificate and hand them into Cumnock station upon receipt of my new documents. He did say they were currently very busy.
26/06/2023 - FAC/SGC expiry date

New FAC/SGC arrived by 2nd class post on 23/06/2023.

 

[dodgyrog]

Expect a severe deterioration in service with the installation of the new Chief Constable!!!

 

[Anser anser]

what makes you say that?

 

[Stalker62]

what makes you say that?

@dodgyrog will be better able to answer your question.

However, Jo Farrell was a senior Officer (and then Chief Constable) of Durham Constabulary when they were rated quite low in the Firearms Licensing performance 'league'.

Caveat:-

The last data I read, was from 2020.

Chief Constable of Scotland is a big job - she will have much to do, I wish her well.