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Oh, righty. My Sec said 'Hello, welcome and crack-on with your FAC application; I'll waive the probation.".

They do have some forward-thinking rules in NI.

SevenSixTwo wrote:Oh, righty. My Sec said 'Hello, welcome and crack-on with your FAC application; I'll waive the probation.".

They do have some forward-thinking rules in NI.

No it's just that clubs have the discretion to waive probationary periods for those in the forces or serving police firearms officers upon production of evidence from commanding officers. Our club will not do this as we expect all members to serve a probationary period of six months although the H.O. rules only require a minimum of 3 months.


I seem to recall that the H.O. actually changed the required probationary period to six months some years back but then reverted to a minimum of three months at a later date.

Does that apply to EX forces too?

I would imagine not because they're not 'in date' with MATTs.

Chuck wrote:Does that apply to EX forces too?

No it doesn't. It's all written in the H.O. rules that clubs have to abide by if they are to retain their approved status. I believe that the details may also be in the guidance to police notes but can't be certain of that. The other exemption to the probationary period is if someone applies to join a club and they already hold a firearms certificate. Clubs can then grant immediate membership if they so choose but once again our club does not do so.

Here's the Home Office criteria for approval of rifle & pistol clubs.
The bottom of page 3 and top of page 4 deals with requirements for probationary members and when these may be waived.

Triffid