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1 | (0)---Contents--- | |
2 | Control + F to the section that is appropriate to you. | |
3 | (0)Contents | |
4 | (1)Preamble | |
5 | -(1a) What is this Guide for? | |
6 | - | -(1b) Why Would I get Separate Licenses? |
6 | + | -(1b) Why Would I get Separate Licenses? |
7 | - | -(1c) What about Northern Ireland and other parts off the mainland? |
7 | + | -(1c) What about Northern Ireland and other parts off of the mainland? |
8 | (2)Purpose | |
9 | (3)Prerequisites To Applying for a FAC/SGC | |
10 | -(3a) "A Good Reason" Reasons to own a Firearm (Applies to Section 1 Only) | |
11 | -(3b) The Referees | |
12 | -(3c) Criminal Record | |
13 | -(3d) The Peaceful Sound of a Sound Mind | |
14 | -(3e) Safe Places are Safe Spaces (For Guns) | |
15 | -(3f) The Visit | |
16 | -(3g) A Pretty Picture | |
17 | - | (4) Types of Licenses and Their Costs |
17 | + | (4) Types of Licenses and Their Costs |
18 | -(4a) What Can I Own with a Firearms Certificate/Shotgun Certificate | |
19 | (5) The Application | |
20 | -(5a) The Application Forms | |
21 | - | -(5b) Application Submission |
21 | + | -(5b) Application Submission |
22 | -(5c) How Long will the Application Take to Process? | |
23 | - | (6) FAQs |
23 | + | -(5d) Congratulations |
24 | (6) How to Buy a Gun | |
25 | -(6a) Section 1 Purchases | |
26 | -(6b) Section 2 Purchases | |
27 | - | -(7c) /Brit/ Graduation Class |
27 | + | |
28 | - | -(7d) Recommended Places from Anons |
28 | + | |
29 | - | -(7e) Recommended Guns |
29 | + | |
30 | - | -(7f) Online Dealers |
30 | + | -(7c) Recommended Places from Anons |
31 | -(7d) Recommended Guns | |
32 | -(7e) Online Dealers | |
33 | ||
34 | ||
35 | (1)---Preamble--- | |
36 | - | This guide is for obtaining firearms legally within the mainland of Great Britain with a primary focus on how to acquire a Co-Terminous Certificate which consists of an Firearms Certificate and a Shotgun Certificate allowing access to Section 1 and Section 2 Firearms respectively, with a secondary focus on how to attain each license separately. |
36 | + | |
37 | ||
38 | - | (1b) Why Would I get Separate Licenses? |
38 | + | This guide is for obtaining firearms legally within the mainland of Great Britain with a primary focus on how to acquire a Coterminous Certificate which consists of an Firearms Certificate and a Shotgun Certificate allowing access to Section 1 and Section 2 Firearms respectively, with a secondary focus on how to attain each license separately. |
39 | ||
40 | (1b) Why Would I get Separate Licenses? | |
41 | ||
42 | - | (1c) What about Northern Ireland and other parts off the mainland? |
42 | + | |
43 | ||
44 | (1c) What about Northern Ireland and other parts off of the mainland? | |
45 | Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands while not a primary focus, will not be completely excluded in this guide. | |
46 | However as it is not priority only resources will only be provided where appropriate. | |
47 | ||
48 | (2)---Purpose--- | |
49 | - | (3)---Prerequisites To Applying for a FAC/SGC--- |
49 | + | |
50 | ||
51 | (3)---Prerequisites To Applying for a FAC/SGC--- | |
52 | Before one even applies for a Firearms Certificate License there are certain Prerequisites that need to be met in this order to own a firearm. | |
53 | 1.Reason for owning a firearm - (Applies to Section 1 Only) | |
54 | 2.You have Two Referees that will support your application | |
55 | 3.Do Not have a criminal record that does not bar you from owning a firearm | |
56 | 4.Ensure that you are of sound mind (Will not harm yourself or others) - This should not be a concern by this point. | |
57 | 5.A Secure Place to Store a Firearm. | |
58 | 6.A Passport sized Picture of You | |
59 | ||
60 | (3a) "A Good Reason" Reasons to own a Firearm (Applies to Section 1 Only) | |
61 | - | 2.Vermin Control |
61 | + | |
62 | 1.Hunting | |
63 | 2.Vermin Control | |
64 | 3.Sports Shooting <-Pick this one | |
65 | 4.Self Defense (Northern Ireland Only and Must be Proven) | |
66 | For this guide we are going with the third option as you will only be limited to what your club can handle however you can skirt around this limitation by stating honestly that you are in the process of joining another club with greater capabilities for that specified firearm, this also gives you a larger amount of calibres to choose from over being de facto limited to .22lr or 12g shells as you would be with Hunting and/or Vermin Control, as you will not need a .338 Lapua rifle for shooting rabbits into red mist. | |
67 | For the Sports Shooting reason to be valid in the eyes of the police you will need to join a local firearms club, to which full membership is required before applying for your FAC/SGC. | |
68 | ||
69 | Most Local Clubs will be listed here. | |
70 | - | (3b) The Referees |
70 | + | |
71 | - | Before going into how many Referees are needed for each license we must first know what a Referee is |
71 | + | |
72 | (3b) The Referees | |
73 | Before going into how many Referees are needed for each license we must first know what a Referee is | |
74 | Quoting from Form 201 the law's definition of who can act as a referee goes as follows | |
75 | ||
76 | The referee(s) who have agreed to act for you must have known you personally for at least two years and must be resident in Great Britain. Referees must not be a member of your family, a registered firearms dealer, a serving police officer or police employee. Referees must be of good character and references must be given freely and not on payment. | |
77 | ||
78 | With that said, when applying under the Reason of Sports Shooting one of your two Referees will be a senior member of the club you have joined to which will more than likely be a guaranteed yes after you have become a full member of your local club, essentially leaving you with needing one other referee to choose. | |
79 | ||
80 | The number of referees needed differ for a shotgun certificate, You should have gained the permission of one person to act as a referee for you. YOU must complete Part F with their details. | |
81 | ||
82 | For the grant or renewal of a firearms certificate, the Firearms Acts require an applicant to supply the details of two people who have agreed to act as referees on Part F & G of the application form. | |
83 | ||
84 | When applying for Coterminous certificates a total of two referees are still required. However, due to changes in the application forms, the requirement for a counter-signatory has been replaced with the request for one referee. When applying for a Shotgun Certificate you must provide details of one person who has agreed to act as a referee in part F of the form. | |
85 | ||
86 | - | Do NOT be tempted to "forget" even the most trivial offense, no matter how long ago it was. |
86 | + | |
87 | - | This is including speeding offenses), bind-overs, formal written cautions and convictions in and outside of Great Britain, and (by virtue of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975) convictions which are spent under the1974 Act. A conditional discharge and an absolute discharge both count as convictions for this purpose. Details of parking offences and fixed penalty notices do not need to be declared. |
87 | + | |
88 | - | The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act does NOT apply when applying for an FAC and the police DO check thoroughly. Previous convictions do not always necessarily mean refusal to grant an FAC, but if you do not declare an offense and it is revealed by the police checks, then you will certainly be refused and will also be looking at a prosecution for having made a false declaration to obtain an FAC. |
88 | + | Do NOT be tempted to "forget" even the most trivial offense, no matter how long ago it was. |
89 | This is including speeding offenses), bind-overs, formal written cautions and convictions in and outside of Great Britain, and (by virtue of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975) convictions which are spent under the 1974 Act. A conditional discharge and an absolute discharge both count as convictions for this purpose. Details of parking offences and fixed penalty notices do not need to be declared. | |
90 | - | (3d) The Peaceful sound of a Sound Mind |
90 | + | The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act does NOT apply when applying for an FAC and the police DO check thoroughly. Previous convictions do not always necessarily mean refusal to grant an FAC, but if you do not declare an offense and it is revealed by the police checks, then you will certainly be refused and will also be looking at a prosecution for having made a false declaration to obtain an FAC. |
91 | - | To avoid the massacres of Dunblane and Hungerford again, You must disclose any relevant physical or mental health conditions that you have been diagnosed with or treated for in the past as this may affect your ability to safely possess and use a firearm or shotgun. |
91 | + | |
92 | (3d) The Peaceful sound of a Sound Mind | |
93 | To avoid the massacres of Dunblane and Hungerford again, You must disclose any relevant physical or mental health conditions that you have been diagnosed with or treated for in the past as this may affect your ability to safely possess and use a firearm or shotgun. | |
94 | The Relevant medical conditions which must be disclosed are | |
95 | ||
96 | - Acute Stress Reaction or an acute reaction to the stress caused by a trauma | |
97 | - Suicidal thoughts or self harm | |
98 | - Depression or anxiety | |
99 | - Dementia | |
100 | - Mania, bipolar disorder or a psychotic illness | |
101 | - A personality disorder | |
102 | - A neurological condition: for example, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s or Huntington’s diseases, or epilepsy | |
103 | - Alcohol or drug abuse (Eddie) | |
104 | - | If in doubt, consult your GP or contact the police firearms licensing department. |
104 | + | |
105 | ||
106 | If in doubt, consult your GP or contact the police firearms licensing department. | |
107 | ||
108 | Remember All applications are looked at on their own merit when making a decision. A note from your GP to clarify why a certain medication is/was prescribed to you and how it affects you will aid in your application, with the main priority of these checks are ensuring that you pose no harm to yourself or others. | |
109 | ||
110 | If you have disclosed a relevant medical condition the police may ask you to obtain a medical report from your GP/specialist. You are expected to meet the cost if a fee is charged for this. If further information is required the police may request and pay for a further report. | |
111 | ||
112 | Where no relevant medical conditions are disclosed the police will contact your GP asking if they are aware of any relevant medical conditions or have any concerns about the grant of the firearm or shotgun certificate. Depending on the reply, the police may ask you to obtain a medical report from your GP/specialist. You are expected to meet the cost if a fee is charged for this. If further information is required the police may request and pay for a further report. | |
113 | ||
114 | After which the police will ask your GP to place an encoded reminder on your patient record to indicate that you have been issued with a firearm or shotgun certificate. The GP is asked to notify the police if, following issue of the certificate, you are diagnosed with or treated for a relevant medical condition previous noted, or if the GP has other concerns about your possession of a certificate that might affect your safe possession of firearms following contact from your GP there may be a need for a medical report to be obtained to assist with assessment of your continued suitability to possess a firearm or shotgun certificate. The police will pay if a medical report is required. | |
115 | ||
116 | (2e) Safe Places are Safe Spaces (For Guns) | |
117 | - | Quoting the Marple and Rifle Pistol Club |
117 | + | |
118 | - | In practice, a steel cabinet constructed and certified to comply with BS 7558 and Rawlbolted to a solid wall is the norm. The vast majority of commercially available gun and rifle cabinets meet the necessary standards. If your premises have shared access, for example if you live in a block of flats, the requirements may be more stringent. In all cases the requirement to prevent access to the firearms by "unauthorised persons", means anyone who doesn't personally hold a FAC. This means that even members of your family must not have keys to the cabinet or even know where you keep them. |
118 | + | |
119 | Quoting the Marple and Rifle Pistol Club | |
120 | In practice, a steel cabinet constructed and certified to comply with BS 7558 and Rawlbolted to a solid wall is the norm. The vast majority of commercially available gun and rifle cabinets meet the necessary standards. If your premises have shared access, for example if you live in a block of flats, the requirements may be more stringent. In all cases the requirement to prevent access to the firearms by "unauthorised persons", means anyone who doesn't personally hold a FAC. This means that even members of your family must not have keys to the cabinet or even know where you keep them. | |
121 | ||
122 | For Additional Information Consult the Police or the Home Office's 2005 Firearms Security Guide | |
123 | Found Here | |
124 | - | Note THROW OUT THE FOAM AND MARKERS STATING HOW MANY GUNS YOUR SAFE CAN STORE this will allow for you to put more slots on your Firearm Certificate within reasonable means. |
124 | + | |
125 | ||
126 | Note THROW OUT THE FOAM AND MARKERS STATING HOW MANY GUNS YOUR SAFE CAN STORE this will allow for you to put more slots on your Firearm Certificate within reasonable means. | |
127 | - | (Placeholder) The FEO visit is a fairly quick inspection of the house, ensuring your house is in good shape in terms of storage for your firearms and in general, you will have a chat with them confirming why you need the firearm among other topics as well as having a possible a shit test asking you to show where your keys are or to hand them to the officer, which if you do not know already |
127 | + | |
128 | (3f) The Visit | |
129 | (Placeholder) The FEO visit is a fairly quick inspection of the house, ensuring your house is in good shape in terms of storage for your firearms and in general, you will have a chat with them confirming why you need the firearm among other topics as well as having a possible a shit test asking you to show where your keys are or to hand them to the officer, which if you do not know already | |
130 | do not do this refuse to tell them where your keys are and refuse to give them to the officer. | |
131 | - | For the application process you require a digital photograph for your license, it must be used for online applications. |
131 | + | |
132 | - | Paper applications must be accompanied by one photograph. Ordinary passport-style photographs (45mm high x 35mm wide) are suitable for this purpose. |
132 | + | |
133 | - | Photographs must be of a professional standard against a plain cream or grey background and without other objects or people in the background and (if printed) must be on good quality gloss or matt paper. |
133 | + | For the application process you require a digital photograph for your license, it must be used for online applications. |
134 | Paper applications must be accompanied by one photograph. Ordinary passport-style photographs (45mm high x 35mm wide) are suitable for this purpose. | |
135 | Photographs must be of a professional standard against a plain cream or grey background and without other objects or people in the background and (if printed) must be on good quality gloss or matt paper. | |
136 | - | (4)---Types of Licenses and Their Costs--- |
136 | + | |
137 | ||
138 | (4)---Types of Licenses and Their Costs--- | |
139 | The costs of Applying for a license excluding the cost of the local club membership goes as follows | |
140 | ||
141 | Firearm Certificates (FAC) (valid for 5 years) | |
142 | Grant of firearm certificate - £88.00 | |
143 | - | Replacement of a firearm certificate which has been lost or destroyed. - £ 4.00 |
143 | + | |
144 | Variation of a firearm certificate (other than when it is renewed at the same time) so as to increase the number or type of firearms or quantity of ammunition to which the certificate relates. - £20.00 | |
145 | - | Shot Gun Certificates (SGC) (valid for 5 years) |
145 | + | Replacement of a firearm certificate which has been lost or destroyed. - £ 4.00 |
146 | - | Grant of Shot Gun Certificate - £79.50 |
146 | + | |
147 | - | Renewal of Shot Gun Certificate - £49.00 |
147 | + | Shotgun Certificates (SGC) (valid for 5 years) |
148 | - | Replacement of Shot Gun Certificate which has been lost or destroyed - £ 4.00 |
148 | + | Grant of Shotgun Certificate - £79.50 |
149 | Renewal of Shotgun Certificate - £49.00 | |
150 | Replacement of Shotgun Certificate which has been lost or destroyed - £ 4.00 | |
151 | - | Grant of Coterminous certificate. - £90.00 |
151 | + | |
152 | Coterminous Certificate for both Firearms and Shotguns (valid for 5 years) | |
153 | Grant of Coterminous certificate. - £90.00 | |
154 | - | To acquire and keep (valid for up to 5 years) - Free |
154 | + | |
155 | Explosives Certificates (necessary for Black-powder shooting, but not needed if using Pyrodex) | |
156 | To acquire and keep (valid for up to 5 years) - Free | |
157 | ||
158 | It is highly recommended that if all previous prerequisites have been met this is the way to go if you want both sorts of gun, as it is much cheaper than having separate certificates expiring at different times. | |
159 | ||
160 | - | In the mainland what has been considered Section 1 has been restricted quite a bit with the banning of Centre-fire semi-automatics after Hunger-ford as well as the banning of handguns in the mainland after Dunblane there are still quite a lot that can be legally owned to which goes as follows |
160 | + | |
161 | ||
162 | In the mainland what has been considered Section 1 has been restricted quite a bit with the banning of Centre-fire semi-automatics after Hungerford as well as the banning of handguns in the mainland after Dunblane there are still quite a lot that can be legally owned to which goes as follows | |
163 | ||
164 | Under Section 1 - Firearm Certificates | |
165 | Semi-Automatic Rifles (up to 22lr) | |
166 | Lever Action Rifles | |
167 | Straight Pull Rifles - 50cal May be Banned under Offensive Weapons Bill of 2017/2019 | |
168 | Bolt Action Rifles - 50cal May be Banned under Offensive Weapons Bill of 2017/2019 | |
169 | Manually Actuated Release System (M.A.R.S Rifles) - May be banned under the Offensive Weapons Bill of 2017/2019 | |
170 | Shotguns over 2+1 shells in total capacity (24" Barrel 40" in total length) | |
171 | Shotguns that have a 2+1 shell Capacity (Barrel under 24") | |
172 | ||
173 | Under Section 2 - Shotgun Certificates | |
174 | Shotguns with a maximum capacity of 2+1 (2 in the magazine 1 in the Chamber | |
175 | These shotguns can be in pump action, lever action, break action and semi automatic, you can also buy as many Section 2 shotguns as you have capacity for | |
176 | ||
177 | Under Section 7.3 | |
178 | Pistols manufactured before 1919 - However it must be clarified whether it is for the purposes of collection or shooting. | |
179 | Weapons with Historic Significance. | |
180 | ||
181 | Under Section 58 (2) (No License required) | |
182 | Antique/Obsolete Calibre Weapons | |
183 | ||
184 | Under Section 5 - Restricted weapons need to be a dealer. | |
185 | Semi-automatics over 22lr (Legal in Jersey) | |
186 | Fully-automatics | |
187 | Handguns (Allowed in NI, Jersey etc anywhere off the mainland) | |
188 | Most Explosives | |
189 | Rocket launchers | |
190 | Torpedoes | |
191 | ||
192 | (5)---The Application--- | |
193 | (5a) The Application Forms | |
194 | - | To Apply for a Firearms Certificate in Northern Ireland |
194 | + | |
195 | https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/firearms-application-forms | |
196 | To Apply for a Firearms Certificate in Northern Ireland | |
197 | - | (5b) Application Submission |
197 | + | |
198 | - | The receipt for electronic applications, where these are available, will be automatically generated by the system. For hard copy applications, unless advised otherwise by the police, you should post or take the completed form together with the fee and photograph to the police firearms licensing department. |
198 | + | |
199 | (5b) Application Submission | |
200 | - | In the case of an application for renewal, a signed and dated recent copy of the certificate to be renewed should be sent to police when you submit your application. If an application is being made for a variation the certificate to be varied must |
200 | + | The receipt for electronic applications, where these are available, will be automatically generated by the system. For hard copy applications, unless advised otherwise by the police, you should post or take the completed form together with the fee and photograph to the police firearms licensing department. |
201 | ||
202 | In the case of an application for renewal, a signed and dated recent copy of the certificate to be renewed should be sent to police when you submit your application. If an application is being made for a variation the certificate to be varied must | |
203 | be included with your application. (You may wish to keep a copy of the certificate.) | |
204 | ||
205 | (5c) How Long will the Application Take to Process? | |
206 | This Largely depends on where you live and is quite bluntly a postcode lottery on how quickly your local constabulary will process and approve/renew your license. To find out how long it will take you approximately linked below are the Government's own findings for years 2014/2015 as well as BASC's League Table for years 2016/2017 | |
207 | ||
208 | BASC's Firearms Licensing League Table 2016 / 2017 | |
209 | https://basc.org.uk/firearms/firearms-licensing-where-does-your-force-rank/ | |
210 | Table Alone | |
211 | https://imgur.com/a/8fu5N2O | |
212 | ||
213 | - | Source: HMIC: An Inspection of the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Firearms Licensing in Police orces in England and Wales (Page 29) found here: |
213 | + | |
214 | https://i.imgur.com/eapjAnr.png | |
215 | Source: HMIC: An Inspection of the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Firearms Licensing in Police forces in England and Wales (Page 29) found here: | |
216 | - | (6)---FAQs--- |
216 | + | |
217 | - | Yet to be Asked. |
217 | + | |
218 | (6)---How to Buy a Gun--- | |
219 | Depending upon the certificate(s) you receive buying a gun is a fairly simple process. | |
220 | ||
221 | (6a) Section 1 Purchases | |
222 | At your local RFD whatever calibre slot is available on your license you can purchase there and then, if you find a gun you want however do not have a slot on your license for make a Variation with the 201V form found here. | |
223 | https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/667451/Form_201V_-_21_Nov_2017_-_PDF.pdf | |
224 | ||
225 | (6b) Section 2 Purchases | |
226 | See a shotgun that holds 2+1? Do you Like it? Yes? Well simply purchase it and mention to the police that you have done within 1 week of purchase Email notifications are allowed. | |
227 | ||
228 | (7)---Additional Resources--- | |
229 | (7a) YouTube Channels | |
230 | https://www.youtube.com/user/EnglishShooting - Dead Channel, Government Threatened to revoke his FAC and SGC licenses for politics, Info still useful | |
231 | https://www.youtube.com/user/srspower | |
232 | ||
233 | - | Kommandobooks Recommends the Thatch Clay Target Club. |
233 | + | |
234 | https://nra.org.uk/nra-affiliated-clubs/ | |
235 | ||
236 | - | (7d)/Brit/ Graduation Class |
236 | + | |
237 | - | -Post your Gun Pics here hopefully by the end of 2018 it'll look close to this. |
237 | + | |
238 | - | https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/amagicalplace/images/e/ed/Lass_picture.jpeg/revision/latest?cb=20130830072214 |
238 | + | |
239 | GB | |
240 | - | (7e) Gun Recommendations |
240 | + | |
241 | NI | |
242 | Kommandobooks Recommends the Thatch Clay Target Club. | |
243 | - | (7f) Online Dealers |
243 | + | |
244 | ||
245 | - | https://www.sportsmanguncentre.co.uk/ |
245 | + | (7d) Gun Recommendations |
246 | 22lr Guide - https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/amagicalplace/images/2/2c/5A_-_.22_rifles.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20130624204947 | |
247 | ||
248 | (7e) Online Dealers | |
249 | - New Guns | |
250 | https://www.sportsmanguncentre.co.uk/ | |
251 | ||
252 | -Surplus/Classic Weapons | |
253 | https://www.highwoodclassicarms.co.uk/index.htm | |
254 | ||
255 | - | ##Changelog 18/08/2018 |
255 | + | |
256 | - | Added a lot |
256 | + | |
257 | https://www.guntrader.uk/ | |
258 | ||
259 | ||
260 | ##Changelog | |
261 | 24/08/2018 | |
262 | Corrected Spelling and Grammar Mistakes | |
263 | Removed /Brit/ Graduation Section | |
264 | Added How to Buy a Gun (How was that even missing) | |
265 | ||
266 | 18/08/2018 | |
267 | Added a lot | |
268 | Removed 5.57 |