Variation wait (yawn!)

Another thumbs up for Cumbria earlier this year. About 3 weeks to add a 22 centrefire, and excellent communication by phone and email. Couldn’t fault them.
 
Just submitted to Surrey. Its not a 1:1, so we'll see. In any event they state no more than 8 weeks. I'll be delighted if I have updated ticket through before 1 Jan 2025.
 
We’ve probably all had unreasonably long waits at some time but my last 1-for-1 in Essex was posted in on Monday and received back in the post Friaday the same week!
 
We’ve probably all had unreasonably long waits at some time but my last 1-for-1 in Essex was posted in on Monday and received back in the post Friaday the same week!
In fairness to Surrey, 1:1 are anecdotally much quicker (ie similar days/ week timeframe). Adding rifles comes under more scrutiny (fairly) and so comes into the same process essentially as a new application it seems.
 
Just submitted to Surrey. Its not a 1:1, so we'll see. In any event they state no more than 8 weeks. I'll be delighted if I have updated ticket through before 1 Jan 2025.

If you are a BASC member, and have not received the Variation is six weeks, give the Firearms team a call. Comments on this forum, and anecdotal evidence indicates that a call from BASC to the FEO often works wonders in speeding things up.

Anyone agree or disagree?
 
If you are a BASC member, and have not received the Variation is six weeks, give the Firearms team a call. Comments on this forum, and anecdotal evidence indicates that a call from BASC to the FEO often works wonders in speeding things up.

Anyone agree or disagree?
Thanks. I'll see how we go. Will drop me FEao a a message to let them know it's been submitted and hopefully it will get under way.
 
If you are a BASC member, and have not received the Variation is six weeks, give the Firearms team a call. Comments on this forum, and anecdotal evidence indicates that a call from BASC to the FEO often works wonders in speeding things up.

Anyone agree or disagree?
I did exactly this, with my East Sussex variation. Got to about 4 months and was getting nowhere. They don't take calls, don't answer emails. I got so frustrated I contacted BASC and had contact from the feo about a week later and my opened cert in hand about another week after that.

If I hadn't have contacted BASC, I reckon it would have dragged on and on
 
Remember that every time you ask for a variation the Police will run a series of checks on you. They will also need to establish that you have good reason for requesting the gun etc. Yes we would all like things done in 5 minutes, but it doesn’t work like that. My last variation was 8 weeks from submission to the variation being granted. Bit of print and post time on top of that. Licences have to be printed on special paper and I don’t know if it requires a special printer, if it does no doubt that adds to the processing time. Without doubt some Police forces are better than others at firearms licensing activities, I’m just thankful that I am in the Thames Valley Police area whose firearms licensing department is well run.
 
Applied for a variation on 16th October & was advised yesterday via a tx from FEO that it had all been approved, that includes myself having to get 2 letters and forwarding them on, 21 days 👍 had a phone call today from licensing department to send my old license in & she will send out my new one with the variation on by return post. Credit where it’s due, they couldn’t have been more helpful 👍
 
Applied for a variation on 16th October & was advised yesterday via a tx from FEO that it had all been approved, that includes myself having to get 2 letters and forwarding them on, 21 days 👍 had a phone call today from licensing department to send my old license in & she will send out my new one with the variation on by return post. Credit where it’s due, they couldn’t have been more helpful 👍
Which Police Force, Surrey?
 
New variation with Cheshire , they received Monday this week and i got it back today, just in time to pick up another rifle :).

S
 
According to my club members Northumbria are currently 3 weeks, Just put one into Durham who say within 2 months unless more information needed.
 
I was pleasantly surprised, a similar experience to the OP with A&S. Just over a month for an additional calibre to be added, I do agree though it would be nice to be given an estimated time frame for turn around.
 
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