Re: Expired FAC,
Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2015 12:45 pm
The problem Gaz is that as I said, many forces wont issue a Sec 7 because it looks bad on their stats.
Its just an FAC by another name.
What they need is some sort of cert in lieu ONO, or to standardise and trim it down. There is not too much wrong with the act, it just needs applying sensibly as advertised, and we need to be covered and protected by it as well as potentially punished by it. Just something to say "Right young shooter me lad...or lass....you's an allright bloke...or lass....that has not given us any worries, you shoot a lot, your club secs etc are happy, carry on quietly enjoying your shooting (I tend to do it noisilly but it takes all sorts) until we can get the boss to sign this thing with his unicorn blood"
Jesus, if we can let crims out on bail surely we can cut law abiding shooters some slack (and the licensing authorities as they dont half need it)!!
For the licensing authority this is a paperwork exercise by and large (other than the FEOs who may have to go and do various inspections) and these exercises, like it or not, take time.
If you get some slippage (one member of staff gets leprosy or buggers off on maternity leave) it throws the rest out.
Now, it makes no difference to them, they just get it done when they can. There may be some overtime in it, but by and large round and round goes the bloody great wheel.
Meanwhile.....IF the letter of the law is followed, your FAC expires. You have called them, you have made it clear that you are worried but they say
"Dont worry, we are running a few years (?) late, as Mr Zebra, alphabetically your are at the bottom of the heap and I am afraid the lady that deals with X-Z is clinically insane so we have had to grab a PCSO off of the lesbian and gay working group to cover, it will take another year or two"
....who's fault is that?
My advice for what it is worth is the minute anything goes slightly whiffy, get it in writing and start documenting a time line, phone calls, ask for the names/collar numbers of who you are talking to but be polite.
I find talking to my licensing office well in advance and asking what suits them best or what's the best way to proceed works wonders.
Its just an FAC by another name.
What they need is some sort of cert in lieu ONO, or to standardise and trim it down. There is not too much wrong with the act, it just needs applying sensibly as advertised, and we need to be covered and protected by it as well as potentially punished by it. Just something to say "Right young shooter me lad...or lass....you's an allright bloke...or lass....that has not given us any worries, you shoot a lot, your club secs etc are happy, carry on quietly enjoying your shooting (I tend to do it noisilly but it takes all sorts) until we can get the boss to sign this thing with his unicorn blood"
Jesus, if we can let crims out on bail surely we can cut law abiding shooters some slack (and the licensing authorities as they dont half need it)!!
For the licensing authority this is a paperwork exercise by and large (other than the FEOs who may have to go and do various inspections) and these exercises, like it or not, take time.
If you get some slippage (one member of staff gets leprosy or buggers off on maternity leave) it throws the rest out.
Now, it makes no difference to them, they just get it done when they can. There may be some overtime in it, but by and large round and round goes the bloody great wheel.
Meanwhile.....IF the letter of the law is followed, your FAC expires. You have called them, you have made it clear that you are worried but they say
"Dont worry, we are running a few years (?) late, as Mr Zebra, alphabetically your are at the bottom of the heap and I am afraid the lady that deals with X-Z is clinically insane so we have had to grab a PCSO off of the lesbian and gay working group to cover, it will take another year or two"
....who's fault is that?
My advice for what it is worth is the minute anything goes slightly whiffy, get it in writing and start documenting a time line, phone calls, ask for the names/collar numbers of who you are talking to but be polite.
I find talking to my licensing office well in advance and asking what suits them best or what's the best way to proceed works wonders.
