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

Fortunately I live in Wiltshire where variations take less than a week and renewals about 3 weeks. Added to which everyone working in the Wiltshire Firearms department is polite and very helpful. The FEO who last called on me could not have been nicer and was genuinely informed and exceptionally helpful - he was also very efficient requesting sight of each firearm and noting serial numbers - the first time this has happened in over 30 years of having an FAC.

Conversely my girlfriends 15 year old son has applied to Hampshire where there was a bit of confusion over Referees. I spoke to them and found them rude and aggressive and unprepared to fully answer questions, just saying 'Thats the Law' which I mostly understood in the first place, but tried to elicit some further understanding.

My experience has been that Wiltshire and Hampshire are at either end of the scale. Seems efficiency and politeness go hand in glove as does inefficiency and aggressiveness. It would also seem that some forces actively accept the right of individuals owning firearms and demonstrate that in the way that Licensing deal with FAC holders, and prospective holders, while others make it as difficult and unpleasant as possible. So can we assume that some Firearms Depts. have received a directive from the top to actively discourage firearms ownership by subterfuge and delays?

Hampshire are quoting 5/6 months for the completion of a Grant of an FAC

Just had my renewal of both FC and SGC with West Mercia and was expecting a long wait. Was gob smacked when I got them both back in eight days :shakeshout:

They even had to send my old certs back because it was before the start date of the new ones. Credit where credits due it was excellent service.

Devon & cornwall constabulary took 1 day short of 3 months for my 1st FAC i was expecting anything from 4 - 6 months after hearing what other members of my club applications took.

Well I emailed them yesterday and from the reply I got this morning it makes it sound like its the admin team that have caused the delays as the firearms manager said he signed my paperwork on 3rd October, it was then passed to the admin team to generate the license, he said he is going to chase it up.

Primer wrote:Well I emailed them yesterday and from the reply I got this morning it makes it sound like its the admin team that have caused the delays as the firearms manager said he signed my paperwork on 3rd October, it was then passed to the admin team to generate the license, he said he is going to chase it up.

Wait over, finally got them both, looks like someone got a kick up the arse in admin as the certificates were both raised on 15th, I don't think I would of seen the FAC before Xmas without the coterminous SGC renewal though.

Mine took 4 months , i had to ring the essex office 5 or 6 times to push things , i tried ringing my firearms officer but always got answer machine and never got a ring back from her , but i know if i didnt ring someone i would be still waiting today .
peter

i put my FAC application in 5 weeks ago; waiting for the FEO to contact me to arrange a visit. Most of the recent applications made from fellow club members have taken 3-4 months so im keeping my fingers crossed mine gets sorted before xmas!