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John MH wrote:No, they are National Shooting Organisation that you can easily join as a probationary member without any previous 'shooting' contacts, you still need a referee of 'good' standing and have to jump through some NRA hoops but it’s probably going to be the easiest way for the OP to get a FAC given his circumstances.

would that not also involve having to do courses etc in Bisley? not great when you live in wales,

i'd look for other clubs around the area. maybe some that are affiliated and so can have new members, join, do your time, get your ticket, then join severnside as an fac holder?

Taha wrote:So it seems that I can't join a club because I don't know anyone who shoots and I can't get an FAC unless I'm a member of a club

That is completely completely ridiculous...

It's probably a bit too far for you from Cardiff, but Worcester Norton (M5 Junction 7) is a great club that actually wants new members to join. Potential joiners are invited to visit the club and fill out the application forms etc without needing a FAC or needing to know an existing member - shocking I know!

John MH wrote:Join the NRA.

Yep, that's what I did. Joined, did the probationary course, that got me the fac then I could join a club. Pita (Bisley isn't exactly local for me) but learned from the course so was worthwhile.

My experience was that the clubs I contacted weren't exaclty keen to have me to join which was a bit odd, I just assumed it was me :)

subvers10n wrote:

Taha wrote:So it seems that I can't join a club because I don't know anyone who shoots and I can't get an FAC unless I'm a member of a club

That is completely completely ridiculous...

It's probably a bit too far for you from Cardiff, but Worcester Norton (M5 Junction 7) is a great club that actually wants new members to join. Potential joiners are invited to visit the club and fill out the application forms etc without needing a FAC or needing to know an existing member - shocking I know!

The rules for H.O. approved clubs simply state that an applicant must be "known to the club". The way that our club deals with this is that a new applicant who does not already hold a FAC is invited to attend the club to look around and for us to give him/her the once over. They will not be allowed to shoot on the first visit but after introducing themselves they are now "known to the club".
They can then apply to the club for probationary membership and the police are informed of their application for membership.

I didn't know anybody at my club when I joined and none of my friends were shooters. Went up to the range with the Rifle Sec for a look about, chat and was then invited to the next range day.

theres quite a few good clubs around you get their details and go see the secs tondu, barry cardiff etc

greenshoots

The guidance says you must be known to the club, that's the point of attending for 6 months as far as I, and my club, are concerned.
And John, are there any problems you can't solve by joining the NRA? ;-)

Demonic69 wrote:The guidance says you must be known to the club, that's the point of attending for 6 months as far as I, and my club, are concerned.
And John, are there any problems you can't solve by joining the NRA? ;-)

He's trying to join the club for 6 months but they won't let him.

The Bisley Rifle Association isn't convenient for those in, oh, most of the UK.

Join a different Welsh club, or look for a smallbore club that is more relaxed, then get your ticket through them.

Well...

I am a member of Severnside and have been for a number of years now, its a very friendly and safe range indeed. I got into shooting many years ago by joining my local smallbore club (Tetbury) and eventually getting my FAC via that route, from there it was joining Severnside and getting into fullbore rifles.

It might be the best option for getting an FAC really, so join a local NRA affiliated smallbore shooting club, do your probation, get involved in the club and work toward your FAC.

.22LR is a great place to learn firearm discipline (as well as one of the hardest and most frustrating forms of completion shooting, 25yd prone rifle)!

Then progress to full bore rifles...I know you don't have to do it that way, but it makes sense to me to learn to walk before you start running.

Demonic69 wrote:The guidance says you must be known to the club, that's the point of attending for 6 months as far as I, and my club, are concerned.
And John, are there any problems you can't solve by joining the NRA? ;-)

"Known to the club" and the probationary period (minimum of 3 months in H.O. rules for clubs) are two different matters.