The wait continues....

[hammo]

Hi all,
Put my initial grant application in 19th Nov, finally had the FEO visit 20th Jan. All went well with visit, FEO was very down to earth and we had a really good discussion about quite a few things. I sort of saw the visit as the big hurdle, the light at the end of the tunnel; it was what I had waited two long dreary months for, alongside a very drawn out house sale and subsequent purchase. Moved into my new house 22nd Jan, bolting the gunsafe to the wall was one of the first jobs.
Two polite phone calls to Avon and Somerset later, I am still waiting for my tickets. Still a big backlog, currently signing off June applications. Renewals are currently a priority, initial grants come third after variations
I have been advised to give them a bell in two weeks, please say it can't be much longer than that!!!!
Having touched on this with the FEO on the visit, I understand the staffing issues; but like everyone else on this site, I am paying taxes for a substandard service. Along with 90% of initial grant applicants, I dare not make a fuss, in case my forms get 'lost, by accident' or slip to the bottom of the very large pile.
On the bright side, at least it has stopped me impulse - buying the first rifle I see! (Savage Accustalker .243)
In an imaginary fully staffed department, I would expect a month to be reasonable; from submission of forms to receipt of ticket. Thoughts anyone??

 

[leej]

Yes. get used to it!
I will say in fairness SWP arn't running that far behind at the moment, but I'm willing to bet there are other people around the country who are getting a worse service than you are. Sorry this doesn't help but this is a common problem.

ATB Lee

 

[TA6319]

I am on 9 weeks so far for a renewal, and I should imagine only half way through my wait. But it would be nice to be proved wrong

 

[hammo]

I must say, on the three occasions I have phoned them; to change address after house move etc. they have been quite apologetic and reassured me that I will be sorted in the end!
Had the displeasure to spot the fox that has been taking the odd pheasant off my perm, broad daylight 2;45pm. Watched him scampering about while I held my useless 12 ft/lb air rifle with an ever tightening grip.
Luckily they are creatures of habit, and I will hopefully sort him out with the .243 soon.
Selling my house, buying another AND applying for FAC/SGC all at the same time was bound to be stressful I suppose

 

[TA6319]

Hammo just think about getting that fox

 

[User00035]

They will always prioritise renewals for obvious reasons so grants generally take longer. A month after the FEO's visit is not (unfortunately) outlandish. Expect the little white envelope to land on the doormat any day soon. In the meantime be patient and remember you've got five years to find a rifle. Don't let your money burn a hole in your pocket. Spending the time to decide on and find the right rifle for you is small beer compared with the hassle of going through all the bureaucracy again because you've bought in haste and bought badly.

 

[Essex stalker]

At least your not Essex, daughter put in for her first shotgun almost a year ago now, still nothing!!

 

[Jezza308]

Same old same old! I put in my renewal with request for an extra Moderator to South Staffs about 16 nov with expiry 16 jan. I applied for a section 7 a week before expiry but I am still unsure what I can and cannot do on a section 7. I have still not heard anything from them except a receipt. So its now almost 3 months, I know that making phone calls to them only slows up their work but I admit that I am sorely tempted to chase them. I suppose I must make allowance for the Christmas Hols slowing things.
Still its not the quality of service we pay for with our cash and with taxes! Exasperated............ Jerry

 

[theredfox]

As said before they want us to comply with conditions on our tickets, but it seems all one way traffic when it come to them and up here we have the air gun laws as well to comply with NIghtmare comes to mind.

 

[hammo]

Update!

Rang Avon and Somerset a fortnight ago, and was asked to give it two weeks and ring again. Quick call again today, and I'm still sat in the pile waiting final sign off. So close!!!!
The FEO has to deliver the certs, as I've moved house and Cabinet location needs a look over. It seems that for Avon and Somerset, four months is a bit of a tipping point, so I should expect a call and visit from the FEO in a week or two.
Might put in for my renewal when he comes round - hahaha!

Hammo

 

[Pedro]

I must say, on the three occasions I have phoned them; to change address after house move etc. they have been quite apologetic and reassured me that I will be sorted in the end!
Had the displeasure to spot the fox that has been taking the odd pheasant off my perm, broad daylight 2;45pm. Watched him scampering about while I held my useless 12 ft/lb air rifle with an ever tightening grip.
Luckily they are creatures of habit, and I will hopefully sort him out with the .243 soon.
Selling my house, buying another AND applying for FAC/SGC all at the same time was bound to be stressful I suppose

Hammo - if that fox is a creature of habit and you've got a shotgun, just pop along to your local neighbourhood gun shop, get some serious ammo and ambush it. Or is the use of your soon-to-arrive .243 the thing now?

 

[Monty2011]

I submitted mine on the 22nd Nov! I'm in the same boat! Had my visit over a month ago and still waiting! My X 2 referees were both rung the same day... The wait continues!

 

[Greymaster]

And the BASC capitulation on fee increases brought no improvements after all their self-congratulations.

 

[roseybut1]

I take back my recent grunbles about Dyfed Powys licensing dept. They recieved my variation application on Monday 14th December. The FEO visited on 22nd January and my FAC with granted variation arrived yesterday 25th Feb. A total of 11 weeks. If you take out the two weeks over the christmas period during which time I doubt much was done it only took 9 weeks. So by everyone elses experiences I'll consider myself fortunate at the time taken.

 

[dvbookshop]

Consider yourself very lucky indeed. My renewal application went in at the beginning of December on receipt of their snotty letter and my certificates expired on 16 Feb. I am now having to make do with temporary permits (one of which omitted a shotgun). Richard Law of the SRA tells me that Dyfed Powys are about the worst in Britain. The Public Service Bureau to whom I have complained reassures me that they are merely below average, so that's alright then. If I were in charge I'd be asking myself why Midsomer Firearms Licensing can renew in 2 weeks at a cost of £40 but I'm taking 6 months and can't do it for £60 plus. It's not rocket science. It might speed things up a little when they are obliged by law to pay due respect to Home Office Guidance.

 

[donsider]

I have just read through this thread and I am appalled by the service that you are receiving from the Police. I think some accountability has to be seen here and to lead this I would expect both BASC and the CA to get to grips with this on our behalf. As tax payers we should demand a better service. Though saying that here in Scotland and in particular the recent service I received from Police Scotland has been quite satisfactory, though not, I have since read on this forum, for all Scotland.

 

[roseybut1]

dvdbookshop
Wiith regards to Dyfed Powys I am only too aware I'm the exception rather than the rule. My intiial FAC application in 2014 took six weeks (would have only taken four but I couldn't meet the FEO when requested) , a variation later that year took less than a week (i did drop the paperwork into the licensing dept in Carmarthen myself). However most if not all of the people in the Dyfed Powys shooting community I know do not have the same experince as me. I completed my DSC 1 last October and was told a horror story by the BASC officer for Wales of the appauling delays he suffered at the hands of the Licensing dept when renewing his fAC and a work colleague sent his shotgun renewal and Fee in last June and is still waiting for his certificate. The cheque was cashed in a matter of days. Every time he rings to find out whats happening they tell him they will look into it and call him but never do.
You are correct we should not accept a below average service for which we pay for. And yes they should all abide by the home office guidance and not implement there own "unofficial" policies.

 

[midge]

my renewal was due 29th january got it through the 29th january .really good work by (tayside) police scotland

 

[hammo]

As in my last post, Im applying for FAC + SGC.

 

[hammo]

At last!!!

My FAC and SGC are being delivered this Thursday, would have had it already by now but they managed to print my OLD address on the first one. Despite a note on his report from the FEO, and my polite letter reminding them of my new address - weeks ago.
You just have to laugh.....

Is it worth a letter of complaint? after my tickets have safely landed of course!
Probably not, we all just accept our lot and carry on; like the good little sheep we are.