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

This is exactly what happened to me earlier this year and based on Lincolnshire It will expire 30 April

Polchraine wrote:Question:

If I apply for a renewal in February for a certificate that expires on 31 March and because they are so inefficient or tardy the renewal date is missed and on 1 May I receive a Sec7. When the certificate is finally issued on 1 September, four months late, what should be the period of validity of the certificate? When should it expire? The original 30 April, or 31 August?

Mine have always remained rigid to the date it was supposed to renewed by (although to be fair the delays I've had haven't been anywhere near yours ). Its a good point as you've effectively been swizzed out of 5 months of time

In fairness you were 'lucky' to get the S7 given that they're now saying the minimum length of time it should be submitted in is 8 weeks

It was a totally hypothetical question ...

The two answers so far suggest a certificate is backdated ... however I understood that they should be valid for "5 years from date of issue".


Mine last pair were actually issued, 5 weeks before they became valid!

With us (Lincs) a S7 is only issued if you have put your application in at the recommended three months prior to expiry AND you tell them at least 1 month before hand that you would like a S7.

With Beds and Herts as was and specifically in the Beds region they were always pushed and we were both told we may have to lodge our firearms with an RFD as a S7 was not an option. I must hasten to add this was after the merger and certainly not before.

Is issuing a sec7 purely at the discretion of the issuing authority?

It is. The home office guidance says a section 7 "should" be issued rather than "must" be issued.

mag41uk wrote:Is issuing a sec7 purely at the discretion of the issuing authority?

Rockhopper wrote:It is. The home office guidance says a section 7 "should" be issued rather than "must" be issued.

Although this is true, because of all the complaints FLD's were getting during the FELWG meeting in March 2015 it was clarified that if the shooter gets their renewal application in 8 weeks or more before expiry and its the FLD's fault its not going to be renewed in time, then its "good practice" to issue a S7 permit. Less than 8 weeks and you're going to be told to store them at an RFD (or just in your cabinet if the FLD still hasn't got the f-ing message!)

Item 3.5

http://www.npcc.police.uk/documents/cri ... h%2015.pdf

Blackstuff wrote:

Polchraine wrote:Question:

If I apply for a renewal in February for a certificate that expires on 31 March and because they are so inefficient or tardy the renewal date is missed and on 1 May I receive a Sec7. When the certificate is finally issued on 1 September, four months late, what should be the period of validity of the certificate? When should it expire? The original 30 April, or 31 August?

Mine have always remained rigid to the date it was supposed to renewed by (although to be fair the delays I've had haven't been anywhere near yours ). Its a good point as you've effectively been swizzed out of 5 months of time

In fairness you were 'lucky' to get the S7 given that they're now saying the minimum length of time it should be submitted in is 8 weeks

I questioned an FLD colleague regarding the spreading the load suggestion. His answer was nice idea but they have to issue rigidly on the date of original issue, so I guess having to issue a sec7 is an emergency cock up thing and that the license will run from the original date regardless. Statute apparently

Maggot wrote:
I questioned an FLD colleague regarding the spreading the load suggestion. His answer was nice idea but they have to issue rigidly on the date of original issue, so I guess having to issue a sec7 is an emergency cock up thing and that the license will run from the original date regardless. Statute apparently

The Government website https://www.gov.uk/shotgun-and-firearm-certificates actually says: "A certificate usually lasts 5 years from the date it was issued or renewed." So, if they fail to renew on time, then it should be from the date it it re-issued.

Why dont we start a campaign to copy our MPs when we apply then again when its the FLO issues?........... maybe then they will see the problem & act?