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

When we put our last variation in a couple of months ago, the FLO asked Bnz to write a brief note as to why he wanted two rifles of the same calibre. She didn't have a problem with how many he was asking for, it was for the Chief Constable's benefit. It all went through without a hitch and since then we have bought and sold a couple of rifles and no questions asked.

Maybe if you write something down as an explanation before you go it would help, even if you only use it as a note to yourself.

Good luck.

Hi there
thx for that, i am busy on night shift as we speak trying to write down a rough guide
regards
douglas

Hi all,
As far as I can see anyway, there is no mention of the reasoning of variations, mine certainly were sold on as the bores were worn etc, but I did mention the reasons on the variations at the time, and I know they will ask again when we meet.

The following is taken from the HO Firearms Law 2002

Application for variations (section
29(2) of the 1968 Act)
10.48 If a certificate holder wants to vary
the certificates allowing them to possess or
acquire firearms or ammunition, they may
apply to the chief officer of police who
issued the certificate.
10.49 Form 101 should be used for
applications to vary a certificate. The
certificate holder should submit their firearm
certificate, along with the completed form
101, and, where appropriate, the fee, to the
police force headquarters. A fee is payable
only in respect of variations which increase
the number of firearms to which the
certificate relates: if the holder wishes to
dispose of one firearm and replace it with
another at the same time then no fee is
payable (see paragraph 10.51 below for
further information). It is not normally
necessary to re-examine the applicant’s
circumstances, but this may be necessary
in individual cases. Although no time limit
is normally placed on acquiring the firearm
to which the variation applies, failure to
do so over a reasonable period, without
good reason, may be taken as lack of
genuine intention.
10.50 Each case should be dealt with on its
merits and, provided that the “good reason”
and security requirement is met for each
firearm, no general arbitrary limit should be
applied in considering any of the following
(“good reason” should not be confined to
need nor equated with desire – see
paragraph 13.6):
a) number of rounds of ammunition to be
held (but see broad guidelines on
ammunition amounts in Chapter 13);
b) total number of firearms to be held;
c) number of firearms per calibre; or
d) time by which firearms should be
purchased.
“One for one” variations
10.51 A variation is always necessary if a
certificate holder wishes to change one of the
firearms, even if they wish to purchase one
identical to the one they are selling (Wilson v
Coombe, Queen’s Bench Divisional Court, July
1988). “One for one” variation refers to
firearms that are authorised to be acquired
at the same time as one is being disposed
of. For practical purposes this is normally
taken to be within seven days. The use
of authorities which can be kept open
indefinitely should be discouraged.
Applications for “one for one” variations
should be made by the certificate holder
submitting their firearm certificate together
with a completed form 101 to the police
firearms licensing department. Such variations
are processed free of charge. In most cases,
it will not be necessary to re-examine the
applicant’s circumstances. Further inquiries
will be necessary, however, if for example
the application is for a change of use or
for a full-bore firearm when the holder’s
shooting club only has facilities for
small-bore shooting.
Variation/Renewal
10.52 Police forces can consider whether to
renew a certificate when an application for
variation is made near to the certificate expiry
date, that is within two months. The renewal
should be made from the expiry date.
Variations requested at the time of renewal
do not attract a fee.

Thx
douglas

Hi all
spoke with the FEO today, and an appoinntment made for thursday with the FEO and a sergeant who works within the department.
I have also been given help to draft a letter of the reasons etc by a well known forum member.
I did ask the FEO about the firearms I already have, and he said theres no problem just to explain the amount of variations.
I hope the variation which caused the fuss isnt revoked, but would they have to give a reason? also I was told in the past by the very same FEO that a one for one cannot be refused, (obviously unless i commiteed a criminal act) but i would be a tad annoyed if it was refused as I would not have sold the rifle in the first place.
Any info on IF they did revoke the variation only.
regards
Douglas