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Recieved My Certificate Today.

Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2012 2:53 pm
by Ratblat
Hi all again , i got my ticket today , very pleased , i got what i wanted , 17 hmr and .223 calibers ., Just one question thou , there is a condtion on my ticket ref the .223 , it says i have to shot with a experienced shooter to shoot it , now i dont know anyone with a .223 , so is it possible i can join a gun club and get a probation mentor ? , would this suffice ? , and as i live in essex , does anyone recommend a gun club that will allow me to do this , shoot a .223 and be mentored so this condtion can be removed ?
Many thanks peter. :goodjob:

Re: Recieved My Certificate Today.

Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2012 2:57 pm
by dromia
Congratulations on getting your FAC.

Is the .223" for use in shooting live quarry as I have sometimes seen that condition applied to tyro's who will be shooting over land.

The condition shouldn't prevent you from purchasing a rifle.

If in doubt i suggest that you contact your FLO and get clarity from them as to what they mean by the condidtion.

Re: Recieved My Certificate Today.

Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2012 3:02 pm
by Ratblat
Yes my calibers are for only shooting vermin , i thought getting a mentor at a gun club would suffice , is this true ?
Peter

Re: Recieved My Certificate Today.

Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2012 3:09 pm
by dromia
I think the intention of the condition is to be mentored over ground in a hunting situation so that you get used to taking safe shots, cognisance of back stops, rights of way, housing surrounding and such like.

I presume that if you have land to shoot over then you must be in contact with other experience live quarry shooters who could go out with you over few months.

I would further check with FLO how much experience they would require you to have before removing the condition so that you know what to ask from a prospective mentor.

Re: Recieved My Certificate Today.

Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2012 3:43 pm
by Christel
Well done Peter tongueout

Re: Recieved My Certificate Today.

Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2012 3:48 pm
by Dave 101
Hi

If you have your rifles for hunting on your FAC you wont be able to use them at a club for target shooting as this would require a seperate condition of use on your FAC . By this definition your mentor would have to be someone to accompany you in the field as this is the stated use .
If you were to join a club you would be required to undertake a six month probationary course and be instructed in safe gun handling etc . I started at a club and after many years shooting got the contion for hunting without need of a mentor .
If your anywhere near Chelmsford theres the Herts and Essex shooting Assc. of which Iam a member .

Dave

Re: Recieved My Certificate Today.

Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2012 4:11 pm
by kennyc
I'm surprised you managed to get this far without the Police insisting on a named mentor/s? are you sure you haven't put someone forward as a mentor and forgotten ?

Re: Recieved My Certificate Today.

Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2012 6:17 pm
by Ratblat
No i wasnt asked for a mentor name , im surprised i was even asked to get a mentor has i have served 7 years in the army using 5.56mm rounds , (.223) , and my firearms officer knew this , but i will have to ask around and see what i can do ..
Thanks to all for your replys...
peter

Re: Recieved My Certificate Today.

Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2012 6:21 pm
by M99
Ex forces do not get any preferential treatment when it comes to live quarry. There is a world of difference between the two.

Personally I would challenge the mentor condition (you are unlikely to get anywhere) - I am currently mentoring 2 new shooters (incidentally both are ex forces, one a bootneck and the other fixed tanks or something troutslapping )

Mike

Re: Recieved My Certificate Today.

Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2012 6:25 pm
by Ratblat
Thanks , i will have to look around and see , all my mates have 22 rimfire and 17hmr , but none of .223 , so i thought the gun club would be an option , so basically as my ticket allows me to hunt only , am i allowed to join any club or not ? , even its just for shooting some rounds of at targets or do i have to apply for this on my fac ?
Peter