The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

Interesting, we still have assigned FEO's in the Midlands to the best of my knowledge. Does the fact that it's policeman affect the process?

HALODIN wrote:Interesting, we still have assigned FEO's in the Midlands to the best of my knowledge. Does the fact that it's policeman affect the process?

Not being in the same postal code/internal department/budget pool will henceforth mean tasks are magically streamlined & there are zero delays & misunderstandings as non-specialist staff take over a totally new, previously specialist, role....

Is this a nationwide change or a county-by-county change?

All ours are civilians (including the guy who signs the certificates). Each one has his own patch so you always deal with the same guy (unless he leaves of course).

It's renewal time for me at the moment too.

In order for them to have sufficient time to process my renewal I was requested to submit my forms within 8 weeks (40 working days) before expiry of my existing certificate.

What resources are required to print a new certificate, have it signed and posted? Nothing has changed since the previous renewal so it's beyond my comprehension as to why they require 8 weeks? It's an hours work (and that's being generous).

Furthermore, it's insulting that they expect a fee for their inefficiency and inadequacy.

Just phoned to ask how things were proceeding to be told it's ready to be signed but the Inspector is on hols , the kind lady apologised and said it should have been out today - ho hum be friday now -about three weeks , that'll do nicely.

SGC renewal was put in at 4 months before expiry and right at the last moment I was told I had not included current pictures so I got a temporary instead. I decided against arguing and just sent another set of pictures off. Now I have just put in my FAC for condition to shoot across land, I am guessing 4 months however I could be wildly out....

HALODIN wrote:Isn't applying for a renewal just a simple formality? i.e. you've probably already got a relationship with your FEO and unless you're asking for additional slots, it's just a foregone conclusion... isn't it?

Not at all. They should be re-evaluating your circumstances as if its a grant. The only thing less they have to do is physically check your security and contact your gun club/check your land, assuming you're still using the same as you were at the grant/last renewal.

lapua338 wrote:It's renewal time for me at the moment too.

In order for them to have sufficient time to process my renewal I was requested to submit my forms within 8 weeks (40 working days) before expiry of my existing certificate.

What resources are required to print a new certificate, have it signed and posted? Nothing has changed since the previous renewal so it's beyond my comprehension as to why they require 8 weeks? It's an hours work (and that's being generous).

Furthermore, it's insulting that they expect a fee for their inefficiency and inadequacy.

While that might be true if they only had your single certificate to process, its a bit different when they have several hundred to do at the same time! I can't put my finger on the figures that give a breakdown of the number of certificates per county but IIRC my county, Durham, has around 9,000 certificates. Spread over the course of the 5 year certificate life that's 1,800 applications for grant or renewal to process per year, and that doesn't include variations, take into account the 'bulge' created when certificate length went from 3 to 5 years etc.

If compared to the number of planning applications, which have a similar length turn around time, last year Durham Council dealt with 3,868, so about half the number but there are about 25-30 planners in DCC, whereas there are about 6 FEO's in the firearms department!

Cue digs at the council for those missing the point

Funny how despite the resource difference the planning function is just as flaky as the firearms certification and explosives licensing function.

We have a winner, and in only 4 minutes!