Unprofessional behaviour of Met FET

[Racalman]

I say somewhat ... no idea what Surrey's variation turnaround is like but it's months in the TVP area.

Not true. I had a variation for a moderator turned round in six weeks a few months ago.

[Dellboy]

Thats a rich mans club

It's all relative.

You can purchase everything you require second hand... a Rossi lever action, Ruger 10/22 (with a cheap red dot), CZ452 (with a modestly priced optic), Norinco JW-25A (iron sights), Taurus LBR, GSG 1911 LBP, etc.

The main issue here is the obstruction and idiotic statements from the FEO and his line manager which are unacceptable.

He said to choose three, otherwise he might chose three for you. (Please direct me to the relevant section in the Firearms Act where this is lawful)

"my sergeant is strict and does not like putting too many guns on the street" (Is he suffering from cretinism? I'm not convinced this statement will be recorded in the official records because only a person of borderline intelligence would make such a statement. It begs the question does this person have the necessary skills to be employed in policing (has the brains of a rocking horse).

The application has been submitted as it stands because the applicant wants 7 guns and the supervisor/designated officer can advise the applicant in writing the initial decision with a clear explanation of the decision making process based upon consideration of all relevant information.

If you feel that it is necessary to restrict the applicant in the interests of public safety and/or for the prevention of disorder or crime why agree to issue a FAC in the first instance? 3, 4, 7 or 12 guns makes no difference whatsoever if the applicant is of good character, has the appropriate storage capacity and has an acceptable level of security plus has "good reason".

Perhaps I'm too much of a fundamentalist or radical but I expected more support from the shooting community.

so the guns are around what £2000 ish s/h then some optics ammo odds and sods yeh suppose it could be done in 22

[knewmans]

When the MET granted my FAC I applied for 5. It was suggested I reduce this to 3 initially and put in a variation later. I wasn't too unhappy with this as I wouldn't buy 5 straight away especially as I was new to shooting and, as has been said above, thought I'd quite likely change my mind after shooting for a while.

It was also suggested that I also write a letter showing the good reason to own the ungranted 2 firearms and that the subsequent variation be granted FOC. When I put in the variation a few months later I didn't get it FOC but was told it was because I'd applied for another 3 firearms not 2. All my variations have been granted without any fuss and very quickly by the MET.

[Dark Skies]

I say somewhat ... no idea what Surrey's variation turnaround is like but it's months in the TVP area.

Not true. I had a variation for a moderator turned round in six weeks a few months ago.

Lucky old you.
Six weeks is still s*** though.
Mine took just under (days under) eight weeks.

[pnuk]

Thats a rich mans club

I expected more support from the shooting community.

Why? I think you've had pretty reasonable responses.

Stupidly worded reasons on their part aside, I don't think it's unreasonable to think 7 is a few too many, particularly for a new member.

Bear in mind that we are in a society where:
The general public are on average in favour of shooting being banned (I have no research to back this up but I would be very surprised if that's not the case)
Politicians know this and could see a ban as an easy crowd pleaser

I know many will argue that shooting is a right/we should demand they give us what we want without question if they have no good reason not to etc etc.
But, I think if we push too hard and start putting in complaints in circumstances where a grant has been made and no restrictions put in for the future then it's one step closer to our sport becoming 'too much of a problem' and being wiped out in one stroke of a pen.

However righteous you would feel, personally I'd rather you offered the rest of the shooting community your support by exercising a bit of patience in an imperfect world and perhaps tweak your clubs peculiar stipulations if this sort of occurance is such a problem.

[wildrover77]

I can not believe the sentiment I am reading on full bore. My last variation was for well into two figures without a problem. Why should it be? I was able to show good reason as is the law.

[Dellboy]

I can not believe the sentiment I am reading on full bore. My last variation was for well into two figures without a problem. Why should it be? I was able to show good reason as is the law.

You've kind of answered your own question really variation not new ticket

my last variation was for 4 guns 3 mods 5 months after a variation for 2 cylinders and 1 gun but my ticket is about 35 years old .

[lapua338]

I cannot believe the sentiment I am reading on full bore. My last variation was for well into two figures without a problem. Why should it be? I was able to show good reason as is the law.

I unreservedly support wildrover77's sentiments. The law still applies whether its a variation or a new application.

[TattooedGun]

How about a little context here.

Have you discussed with all members of this club, old and new and corroborated that all of the members on their first application asked for such a list of firearms?
If so, How many actually got them.

How about a show of hands on the forum of how many rifles were gained on first application.

I'd say having any more than 5 granted on a first application is a rarity, rather than the rule.

Then put yourself in the situation of the FEO. You're looking for odd things, requests that stand out.

Say you get 100 applications, how many would ask for 1-2 firearms verses how many ask for 6+?

I'd wager they get a lot more people asking for low numbers than high numbers, so their radar is likely ringing at these requests.

You may be within the law, but it's the Feo/chiefs name on the certificate if anything goes wrong.

In the very first instance, a new applicant is an unknown.
They might have the security and pass the checks, but they have no promenance, no built up trust.

There's a good number of people on the street who fit that bill and walk in dangerous circles, who might be in the mood to legally acquire a lot of firearms for them to conveniently go missing...

There are a lot of reasons why this is a reasonable way to mitigate risk. And as shooters we often have to jump through hoops. It's not unlawful on FEO/Chiefs part. He s doing his due dilligence.

I've been there myself, and I've done the whole "I know the law, it's here in black and white, you should let me have xy and z" and from experience I can tell you, until they're completely satisfied, they can and will hold your application up.

You can appeal, and you can jump and shout and call people names, but it's not going to help. Do you really want to tar your name with the licensing dept and make sure you're always the bottom of the pile. Not that I think they'd do that, but, how would you prove it if they did.

[ovenpaa]

I asked for three and I got three first time round. That was ample for my needs.