Fac application ... Police 1st visit !!

[Christel]

Not wanting to stir up any trouble...but what business is it of the Police to know you had a stroke?

If you're prone to strokes you could be a liability on a range.

On the FAC application there is a box about epilepsy....must be for the same reason I guess?

[Chapuis]

Totally out of the blue I suffered a stroke last October. Initially it caused me quite a few problems so much so that I stood down as the rifle club secretary, after all what's the use of a club secretary who couldn't even sign his name or speak clearly. Gradually my mobility came back and my speach improved but I had to work on it. I was back at the club and shooting again after a month and could still outshoot most off the bench but freestyle I didn't have the strength to hold my heavy rifle steady on target so my shooting scores suffered. I was back stalking after four months but have to admit I found it very hard dealing with a large fallow doe on my own in the woods and then having to drag her 600 yards to the car. It took me a few days to get over that effort.

I didn't inform my force of the stroke other than that I was standing down as club secretary and that the new secretary was a retired police officer. I did however speak to my local FEO on several occasions and they were aware of my illness but to date haven't raised any issues with it.

Most new people that I now meet aren't aware of the stroke other than when I get tired and my speach becomes slurred and I drag my leg. The thing to remember is that every stroke is different and personal. It effects everyone in different ways. As much as I love shooting, after all it has been a very big part of life in various forms for the last 40+ years, I would expect that that my fellow shooters would have the courage to speak up if my actions or behaviour on the range or in the field cause any concern. In any case I am sure that my family will already have beaten them to it.

[mag41uk]

Have a look at this:
http://www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk/s ... nformation
It made me think as I have been taking a known anti depressant for neurological reasons,back pain!
I recently did a one for one and declared treatment for ongoing LBP in the question on page one about ongoing treatment.
FAC arrived back in several days (thanks TVP) with no issue.
Tony

[phaedra1106]

When my old GP put me on Amitriptyline (a tricyclic antidepressant) I made sure he added a note that it was prescribed as a sedative analgesic (lower doses) to try and help with the arthritis and IBS by easing the nerve endings. I informed my FEO when I did the coterminous application and had no problem.

Having said that a friend just had a renewal and had to wait while they contacted his GP as he was taking Codeine after hurting his arm at work, silly really as you can just go to Boots and buy them over the counter without a prescription!.

[Gaz]

Have a look at this:
http://www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk/s ... nformation
It made me think as I have been taking a known anti depressant for neurological reasons,back pain!
I recently did a one for one and declared treatment for ongoing LBP in the question on page one about ongoing treatment.
FAC arrived back in several days (thanks TVP) with no issue.
Tony

I am staggered by what the police think it's OK to intrude upon, judging by that thread. Not the OP, who "forgot" to mention his previous treatment for depression, but things like the bone cancer sufferer whose renewal was delayed because the police demanded to know the exact details of his cancer treatment.

While it's true that FAC and SGC applicants must waive any right to privacy in order to hold their certificates, there is no way the police should be able to justify invasive intrusion like that involving medical conditions which are not related to stress, depression or mental illness.

[slate]

I remember an episode of Dynasty where Crystal had a stroke and turned into Evil Crystal.....so it must be true....

[phaedra1106]

I remember an episode of Dynasty where Crystal had a stroke and turned into Evil Crystal.....so it must be true....

You admit to watching Dynasty, and they still let you near guns? :lol:

My renewal isn't until 2016 but given the amount of meds I'm on now for conditions which will only get worse with time I'm starting to worry already!

[zzr1100]

Does the visiting officer give any indication as to if the application is going to be successful or will I have to wait for "the letter" ??

[morph007]

Can't speak for anybody else but the FLO who did my interview told me all was ok on the day.

I got the feeling that he'd already done the background checks and the interview was more about looking me in the eyes and using his 30 years of police experience to feel me out.

Sounds silly but he found my shooting cv very useful, saved asking lots of questions.

Hope it helps

[Scotsgun]

My father has only just renewed his FAC & SGC. Unfortunately he'd suffered from Bells Palsy about 6 months before but hadn't notified the police. To be honest, it never seemed important as it was a slight case in which his only symptoms is a slight dropping to one side of his face and a slight slurring of his words when tired.
The woman arrived to interview him after he'd been out gardening of course and immediately spotted the symptoms. He had declared it in his renewal application but it didn't make a difference. She completely flipped out, practically accussed him of trying to make a false application and left sharpish. 3 months later, meetings with lawyers and letters to the licensing threatening legal action (god bless the SGC) and he's finally got his certs back. The licensing office had absolutely no medical reason to deny his renewal. He even got a letter from his consultant to support his renewal but they still were loathe to issue it. Just another case of poorly trained staff unwilling to listen to those qualified and overstepping their boundaries, i guess.