Interesting request from Wiltshire FAL

[ColinR]

I put my certificate in for renewal about 6 weeks ago (It does not expire until the end of June) and yesterday received a letter from Wilts FAL saying I had no good reason to possess firearms and included a form for a club secretary to sign to confirm I had done the requisite probationary period etc. I was somewhat perplexed as on the Renewal Form I included details of the three clubs I belong to. I called FAL and asked why I had received this given I had supplied details of my clubs on the Renewal Form and would they be OK if I sent photocopies of all my club membership cards and Safe Shooter Certificate. They said that would be OK and that this was part of a "Risk Assessment" and may even mean it is unnecessary for an FEO to visit. Seems Wilts are assuming No Good Reason to possess on a general basis so it is up to the shooter to provide details rather than them checking with clubs. I wonder what they will do with regard to contacting referees. I am assuming this is all part of a cost cutting and increased efficiency drive by Wilts FAL, but not something I have heard of previously. In any case Wilts FAL are probably already the most efficient in the UK and are certainly very easy to deal with, so happy to go along with any changes they implement.

[TattooedGun]

I believe it is standard practice on renewals to get the secretary to sign an additional form which confirms that you are an active member of the club you state you are.

I recently signed one (As a committee member as the secretary was away) on behalf of one of our members renewing in West Mids.

[ColinR]

I am sure that is the case but in the past that went direct to the club rather than via the FAC holder.

[Alpha1]

One of my members recently renewed his firearm certificate. The fire arms licencing officer just phoned me up and asked me to confirm he was a member and of good character etc. He recieved his certificate a few days later.

[Andy632]

As always different strokes, different blokes. As Club Sec. sometimes I get just a phone call, sometimes I get the form to fill in, sometimes the FAC applicant/holder gets the form to fill in. Not bad for a Single Scottish Police Farce! sorry Force.

[kennyc]

One of my members recently renewed his firearm certificate. The fire arms licencing officer just phoned me up and asked me to confirm he was a member and of good character etc. He recieved his certificate a few days later.

for my renewal last year the club secretary had to confirm my attendance, send photocopies of range logs (after redacting other members details) field several calls and generally run around like a blue assed fly

[Pete]

Seems it's procedure now.........I had to send "proof of use" with my renewal in March. I sent a print-out of the NRA shooters history file which I update at each shoot.

Pete

[the running man]

Living in bristol i was under the impression that wiltshire were the best firearms dept around...... I know they had a lot to deal with after issuing a ticket for a 92f ak-47 and m1 carbine to a registered schizophrenic and without him having land to shoot on or a club he was a member of but that was our fault the shooters so best just to ban self loading rifles rather than admit mistakes....

[Blackstuff]

Sounds like the arse covering exercise Durham did a few years ago when they suddenly realized they'd been authorizing full-bore rifles to club members who only shoot at an indoor club clapclap

[dromia]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with having full bore rifles authorised for shooting on 26yrd indoor ranges.

Durham caused a lot of grief for legal shooters by their unilateral view on this, fortunately they finally admitted the error of their ways and once again see using full bore rifles on 25 yrd indoor ranges as good reason to posses.