Expired FAC, "it'll be fine, go shoot" say police

[safetyfirst]

So a friend of mine had her license expire on 5th April, despite handing in the paperwork for coterminous renewal at the end of January as requested.

She's now been told it'll be the 22nd April before the FEO brings her the new certificates and though she requested a section 7 permit last week before her ticket ran out, she was told she didn't need one.

The FEO told her on the phone yesterday that she could crack on and go shooting at the club no problem, no section 7 needed, she just couldn't buy ammo.

This sounds completely insane to me, isn't this just a blatant breach of the law? What happens if someone crashes into her car on the way to the range and the police ask her to produce her license??

I've advised her to take her guns straight down the local shop and lodge them with an RFD....

Thoughts?

[Christel]

We have been in the same boat, we are in Beds and we were told it is ok to go shooting without your FAC within the country boundary, just do not go outside of it.

Always check though.

[20series]

I had the same problem in 2012 with Lincolnshire, I kicked up a fuss and insisted on a temp certificate as I was travelling around doing various small-bore comps.

Alan

[phaedra1106]

Once again the police are making it up as they go, there is no grey area in firearms licensing, if she doesn't have a valid sgc/fac or sec.7 certificate she's in illegal possession of her firearms.

As suggested above lodge them with an RFD. Next step is back to the police and demand a section 7, if they refuse ask to speak to a senior officer and if still refused insist they put the refusal in writing and then make a formal written complaint to the chief constable copying in the police crime commissioner and her local MP. Also contact whichever shooting organisation she may be a member of (BASC etc.).

[Blackstuff]

I was just about to post a link to the minutes of a ACPO meeting of the Firearms and Explosives Licensing Working Group (the people who tell FLD's what to do), where the chair Andy Marsh told all representatives that if the shooter had submitted their renewal in good time (as your friend did), then the FLDs MUST issue S7 permits to prevent a breach of the law.

HOWEVER, on clicking the link i had saved for it which previously took you to the ACPO site, it now takes you to NPCC (National Police Chiefs Council) which is presumably the new ACPO?? And i can't find the FELWG minutes on there

I've emailed NPCC to ask where they are now

[artiglio]

At my last renewal (Kent) a section of the renewal letter stated ( can't remember exact wording) " that so long as a renewal application had been received I was deemed to still have a license" feo just advised me to carry renewal letter and copy of old fac.

[Gaz]

I think it was firearms barrister Peter Glenser who ended up representing a shooter in Crown court whose FAC had expired in exactly these circumstances.

Don't become an arrest statistic and give the police ammunition to throw at us. Get the guns to an RFD ASAP and then do as phaedra says.

[davidh195]

Unless things have changed a section 7 permit only allows you to posess not use....
I had one ussued on renewal for my pistols just prior to the ban taking force, they put them back on certificaton when I requested it quickly.

David

[bradaz11]

We have been in the same boat, we are in Beds and we were told it is ok to go shooting without your FAC within the country boundary, just do not go outside of it.

Always check though.

Country or County?

[saddler]

The FEO stating that they should continue shooting, etc. is also now acting illegally & Iis in breach of the law.
Firearms offences are absolute offences.

Store the guns....then place an official complaint with the chief constable.
Anyone giving such illegal advise in an official capacity should be kicked off the force as a minimum....
CPS involvement would be preferable!

I saved notes notes/minutes Blackstuff mentioned above to my PC hard-drive.
If anyone needs a copy PM me