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Ratblat wrote:Thanks , i will have to look around and see , all my mates have 22 rimfire and 17hmr , but none of .223 , so i thought the gun club would be an option , so basically as my ticket allows me to hunt only , am i allowed to join any club or not ? , even its just for shooting some rounds of at targets or do i have to apply for this on my fac ?
Peter

it depends on the wording of your ticket, if there is any doubt, contact your FLO. having no named mentor seems to make the whole mentor clause a bit pointless! of course there is no legal requirement for them to insist on a mentor even though it is an increasingly common condition. as far as joining a club, you would have to do the club probational period, but I can't see getting target use added (something along the lines of "on ranges suitable for that class of firearm and with adequate financial arrangements in place to meet any injury or damage claim" )as being much of a problem, although they will probably want you to be a probationary member at least.
PS be prepared to be asked for a mentor when you contact the FLO as it seems to me someone has "Boo-Booed" and they may well pick this up.

I will contact them on monday , but getting her to pick the phone up is a nightmare , i have had to phone the office up direct to get anywhere , but my firearms officer openly said getting a .223 would be ok because of my experience , no mentor was ever spoken about , a phone call is in order here , this call might get me nowhere , but hey ! , i got my ticket and if a mentor is whats needed then ill have to get it sorted before i buy the gun ..
Thanks peter

Hi Peter

Theres nothing stopping you joining a club , as I said you would be required to undergo training at the club for a probationary period , if you wanted to use your own firearms you will need to get a variation of use on your FAC stating which rifles you want to use for target shooting as well as hunting .
You may be lucky and find someone at a club who also hunts and is willing to be a mentor .

Dave

Dave 101 wrote:Hi Peter

Theres nothing stopping you joining a club , as I said you would be required to undergo training at the club for a probationary period , if you wanted to use your own firearms you will need to get a variation of use on your FAC stating which rifles you want to use for target shooting as well as hunting .
You may be lucky and find someone at a club who also hunts and is willing to be a mentor .

Dave

Dave

He would not need a variation - just a change of conditions (Which would be free) - however, you would be unlikely to get a change of condition until you have completed your probationary period at a club! catch 22.

Mike

Thanks guys , i will make a call on monday.., lets see where that gets me..

peter sign92

Well just a little update , the police are not moving from their decision , which i do respect , so my next question or offer as i think it should be classed has , is this , is there any member on the forum in essex , as i live in basildon , willing to give me a few days as a experienced shooter to accompany me on my shoot , im willing to pay per day you are with me , also im no novice to firearms so the basics wont be needed , all i want is the time spent with an experienced shooter to give the pointers and watch how i perform , and when you think i am needy of the condition removed , write the letter the police and tell them your findings and hopefully request that i am qualified to shoot a .223 unaccompanied .
This wont be available yet till november , possibly 2nd week or so , any effort from any member would be grateful.
Thanks peter.

Peter,

If you do not get any takers, I am happy to come down for a day now and then - at least then you can get your condition lifted. Whilst I am aware it would be a fair old drive - I am sure you would then do the same in return for someone else who needed it.

I would not want anything either for doing so.

Mike

Mike if you were to do that for a member i would not let you do this for nothing , coming from your home and not being treated for it , i wouldnt allow it , so if you decided to do it , please be prepared to compensated for your time , and yes , i would do it for someone else , i bet there is members on the forum who have been in this situation and know its a pain in the butt , but your help offered is great , as i said i am not looking to start this till november , a couple of weeks in , so plenty of time to play with , and hopefuly a few times out will all it will take , so thanks mike , a great sport .
Peter sign92

Well done people