Shotgun Safety Course

[f17ant]

Hi everyone

Had a nice phone call today from MET (actually has made my day ), they want me to do a shotgun safety course which I’m happy to do, can anyone recommend a place or company to do it with that will satisfy MET

Want to do it ASAP and not drag out the process


Thanks in advance

 

[cjm1066]

Another decision outwith the law, speaking to your shooting organisation.

 

[Heym SR20]

I would go to your nearest clay pigeon ground that offers tuition.

 

[ColinJ]

Had a nice phone call today from MET (actually has made my day ), they want me to do a shotgun safety course which I’m happy to do, can anyone recommend a place or company to do it with that will satisfy MET
Want to do it ASAP and not drag out the process
Thanks in advance

Lots of places run them. It’s a CPSA course, maybe check the CPSA website? I know a couple of people who have done it and they both enjoyed it and got a lot from it.

 

[webley701]

Hi everyone

Had a nice phone call today from MET (actually has made my day ), they want me to do a shotgun safety course which I’m happy to do, can anyone recommend a place or company to do it with that will satisfy MET

Want to do it ASAP and not drag out the process


Thanks in advance

I appreciate you want to get started but I’m not sure I’d call a phone call from a police force presenting an arbitrary demand as ‘nice’.

 

[f17ant]

Lots of places run them. It’s a CPSA course, maybe check the CPSA website? I know a couple of people who have done it and they both enjoyed it and got a lot from it.

Perfect this is the information I’m after! Found loads of places that offer it

 

[f17ant]

I appreciate you want to get started but I’m not sure I’d call a phone call from a police force presenting an arbitrary demand as ‘nice’.

The ball is rolling now, after a long wait.. better than nothing

 

[spanj]

Hi everyone

Had a nice phone call today from MET (actually has made my day ), they want me to do a shotgun safety course which I’m happy to do, can anyone recommend a place or company to do it with that will satisfy MET

Want to do it ASAP and not drag out the process


Thanks in advance

No. THEY want you to do it but are not legally allowed to demand it. The sooner FL is taken away from the Police the better IMO

 

[Stalker62]

... they want me to do a shotgun safety course which I’m happy to do...

No. THEY want you to do it but are not legally allowed to demand it. The sooner FL is taken away from the Police the better IMO

@spanj you are quite right. Legally they have no right to 'insist' that anyone does any training before issuing an SGC.

There is no suggestion they they (MET) have done so.

The applicant is 'happy to do' such a course. They could quite easily say that they are not happy, and the issuing Force would then be (legally) obliged to issue the SGC.

I have no idea what (if any) experience the applicant has with shotguns and it may be that the FEO/FLM was making a suggestion.

In any event - let's really get this thread going.

No Shotgun, Firearm, Air-Weapon, Black Powder, should be issued to anyone, unless and until they have completed a nationally recognised (yet to be written), course.

And with that, I am off out...to hide in the woods...

 

[Liveonce]

Hi everyone

Had a nice phone call today from MET (actually has made my day ), they want me to do a shotgun safety course which I’m happy to do, can anyone recommend a place or company to do it with that will satisfy MET

Want to do it ASAP and not drag out the process


Thanks in advance

What experience do you have? assume it is none? if so then some logic in what the FEO requested, if however you have been clay shooting several times or live pigeon shooting for crop protection with a friend then I would consider the course unnecessary. They just need to know you can safely handle the shotgun for your own safety and that of others.

 

[Heym SR20]

I really have no issue in first applications for SC and FAC having to demonstrate competence, especially safety.

The Police after all have a duty of public safety. Passing a recognised course shows a level of community and competence, and more importantly demonstrates and provides with the evidence to support the grant of a certificate.

The Police, after all, are the ones who have to sort out the mess after an accident.

And holding a SC implies a level of competence. Most clay pigeon grounds, for example, will happily let you shoot unaccompanied on production of a SC, where as if you cannot produce one then you need to be accompanied by a coach.

 

[Liveonce]

In any event - let's really get this thread going.

No Shotgun, Firearm, Air-Weapon, Black Powder, should be issued to anyone, unless and until they have completed a nationally recognised (yet to be written), course.

And with that, I am off out...to hide in the woods.

Oh the NRA, CPSA, NSRA would love you, build their empires even bigger.

Mandatory course, significant licence fee, GP report fee - who would bother to enter the sport?

Unless of course it came with a life long license, now that’s an idea

Do remember shooting sports are one of THE safest sports in this country, so let’s not create barriers where none are needed.

 

[Stalker62]

Oh the NRA, CPSA, NSRA would love you, build their empires even bigger.

Nonsense.

In other unrelated news, I have been offered the role of National training manager for a 'big' shooting organisation.
















No I haven't!

 

[Liveonce]

CPSA, shooters. certification card must have an entry for every discipline to be able to shoot them, every type of shotgun to be able to use them, every cartridge type to be able to use them.

Stalker62 you have a job for life

 

[spanj]

@spanj you are quite right. Legally they have no right to 'insist' that anyone does any training before issuing an SGC.

There is no suggestion they they (MET) have done so.

The applicant is 'happy to do' such a course. They could quite easily say that they are not happy, and the issuing Force would then be (legally) obliged to issue the SGC.

I have no idea what (if any) experience the applicant has with shotguns and it may be that the FEO/FLM was making a suggestion.

In any event - let's really get this thread going.

No Shotgun, Firearm, Air-Weapon, Black Powder, should be issued to anyone, unless and until they have completed a nationally recognised (yet to be written), course.

And with that, I am off out...to hide in the woods...


View attachment 394085

Hahaha you can run but not hide

Its hard not to agree with training for newbies but thats just the thin end of the wedge isnt it. We've had 70 odd years to see the “improvements” made to firearms licencing……

You can see that the OP has taken the suggestion literally and thats my problem. It shouldnt be in any FLOs remit or more importantly mindset to make “suggestions”. Same applies to CCs !!!!

 

[ColinJ]

Hahaha you can run but not hide

Its hard not to agree with training for newbies but thats just the thin end of the wedge isnt it. We've had 70 odd years to see the “improvements” made to firearms licencing……

You can see that the OP has taken the suggestion literally and thats my problem. It shouldnt be in any FLOs remit or more importantly mindset to make “suggestions”. Same applies to CCs !!!!

How would you suggest a Firearms Enquiry Officer should ensure public safety when considering a new application from a novice? Options could include:
- hope and pray
- cross their fingers
- suck it and see
- suggest a nationally recognised training course?

 

[Liveonce]

How would you suggest a Firearms Enquiry Officer should ensure public safety when considering a new application from a novice? Options could include:
- hope and pray
- cross their fingers
- suck it and see
- suggest a nationally recognised training course?

- a mentor
- member of a clay club or rifle club

Then probably just as important but not a legal (yet?) requirement is insurance, CPSA, BASC, NGO, etc.

 

[paul o']

Do they feel your inept and that's why they wish you and others to do a course! That in truth all new shooters should do pre given cert. I have seen and watched many shooters and clay busters as an instructor of things that go bang !
To that I'd add unless you were born around guns evey new shooter should be given as part of there fee and before granted they should have lessons in and on what type of blunderbuss they wish to own .


This is my opinion from observations over the last 50 odd years I'd
include the Police and MOD in this!
I've seen and witnessed some shocking handling and some stupid actions causing some serious injuries.
Mainly down to folks not having a clue why crap happens if they won't take instructions.

 

[Pedro]

Doing a course means you hopefully come out the end of it with more knowledge. However, whatever field you might work or have a hobby in, I bet everyone has come across people who are certificated to the hilt that are still entirely hopeless.

Which means that at least one of the reasons for compelling people to do courses is to cover backs if things go bosoms up.

I have come across one or two people who have exhibited unsafe actions on shoots. Some have benefited from advice. Others got a red card. Mostly, folk using shotguns in the company of others police themselves pretty well I’d say.

 

[Liveonce]

no course will ever stop accidents, courses pass on knowledge or teach a skill but are no substitute for experience, complacency causes accidents. How many car accidents happen every day?