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I've had my FAC for about 4 months or so now. I originally had 8 firearms granted and four moderators. As it stands, I've bought 3 (a .22lr, .357 and a .44 muzzle loading revolver) and I've got one moderator.

I've had another one (an S1 shotgun) on order for months and will be buying my .223 next month, but that'll still leave 3 firearms and 3 moderators 'un-bought'.

How long have I got before I start to lose my slots?

What's basically happened is between my applying for my FAC and having it granted, we're now expecting a baby at the end of August. Obviously that news takes priority (and with it, most of my hard-earned savings...) so I won't be in a position to fill my last few slots for a while. An obvious solution would be to fill my last slots with very cheap stuff, just to get it on my ticket - but I don't want to do that. It'd feel dishonest and would be a waste of money too.

Has anyone lost slots from lack of use? Was it hassle getting them back?

Come time for your renewal, you might lose the slots if you haven't filled them, as your department could argue that you haven't a need for them.

However, as far as I am aware there is no time limit on them. I've only just filled a slot after almost 3 years with having it on my FAC. You could ask, but that might give them ideas!

I have heard of people having to justify certain unused variations at renewal time, but never experienced it. It may force dependant.

I have had one particular vacant slot on my ticket for over 10 years. At renewal time, the justification remained the same and it was not questioned beyond the other variations. I have never been told I'll lose that slot "if I don't fill it"...

I was told the opposite the other day; if I haven't filled a slot after two years of it being open, apparently the licensing department will try and take it off me.

Does sound more and more force specific...

A guy who has the same FEO as me just put in his application. When he mentioned that his slots were his "5 year purchase plan" he was told "it doesn't work like that" and if he doesn't use them after "a while" he'll lose them.

If it's similar to Gaz's area, 2 years is fine for me. If it's 6 months, my slots are going back.

Sounds like more FEO's making it up as they go along :roll: Anyone being asked to justify keeping unbought firearms on their FAC's within the 5 year grant period, i.e. not at the time of the renewal, should direct the FEO to the following passage in THEIR guidance book;

19.8 It is not the intention of the
Government to reduce the number of
firearms held by certificate holders. The
misuse of firearms mainly involves those in
unlawful possession of them.

If the government, and by extension the police who enforce the governments legislation, are not trying to deliberately limit the number of firearms held by certificate holders, what are they doing chasing people within the 5 year time period?

N.B. I didn't have to justify a .22lr moderator (the only unbought item left on my FAC) again at my last renewal, it was just automatically carried over.

Mikaveli, Happy New baby when it comes, best wishes to you and yours. Chuck & Mrs T.

My FLO said that I had to purchase all of my firearms 'within a few months' or reduce the number and apply for variations. He said that in our case he thought that we looked like we were 'good for it' and let us have what we asked for.

I have heard of 'use it or lose' it letters, pretty sure that I've seen one but I may have been mistaken.

Christel had an open slot for an 8x58RD at her renewal and also applied for a second 8x58RD at the time, no questions asked and no problems.

Well other than it being a few days late....