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

meles meles wrote:

kennyc wrote:good question! mine was opened at the same time that I had a one for one in, as far as I am aware there was no charge to me.


Bofor an "open" certificate removes the need for ground to be shot over needing to be approved by the Chief Constable. the shooter is allowed to decide whether or not the shot is safe. (as indeed is your responsibility in law regardless of whether the Police have looked at the land or not )

So why the two different types of stiffycate ? Are some people deemed more capable than others of assessing if a shot is safe?

yup although the shooter is the person ultimately responsible if it all go's pear shaped, just another set of "well meaning" bureaucracy to wade through....

As I understand it, an "Open" Certificate, i.e. one without territorial restrictions of use, is earned rather than applied for. I've held a completely "Open" Certificate since the mid-1980s, at no time was it ever applied for, it was simply given on renewal or variation I don't remember which.

Based upon discussions with fellow target shooters/stalkers, the issue of an "Open" certificate deosn't seem to be automatic or based upon time held, as some shooters of many years experience still have territorial restrictions of both land and club. I have no idea why.

DW58 wrote:As I understand it, an "Open" Certificate, i.e. one without territorial restrictions of use, is earned rather than applied for. I've held a completely "Open" Certificate since the mid-1980s, at no time was it ever applied for, it was simply given on renewal or variation I don't remember which.

Based upon discussions with fellow target shooters/stalkers, the issue of an "Open" certificate deosn't seem to be automatic or based upon time held, as some shooters of many years experience still have territorial restrictions of both land and club. I have no idea why.

Now are you trying to apply logic to firearms licensing there??

It will vary from county to county and probably between FEO to FEO as there is no official policy to denote when a person, or how a person gets sufficient experience to be considered for the 'open' condition. i.e. is it the length of time they've had their FAC, number of rounds shot (or more accuractely, bought, as they have no way of recording the former).

I just asked and i was given it, yet a friend of mine covered by the same force who put in the request at the same time was refused, despite doing far more pest/game shooting than me.

You can fast track things by making it easy for the FEO to see a trail of use/experience/training. e.g. By going out with an experienced shooter and documenting the trips/getting them to write a letter of recommendation, taking courses like DSC1 etc

Yes, totally agree.

Let's be honest, I think that how the FEO views the individual certificate holder has quite a bit to do with what is/isn't granted - In fact I know of a twenty-one year old who last year was given an open certificate on first application and no mentoring restrictions.

Your comments about DSC1 etc. are very valid - DSC1 and or other qualifications such as NRA/NSRA courses will have a major influences on how an application is viewed.

DW58 wrote:As I understand it, an "Open" Certificate, i.e. one without territorial restrictions of use, is earned rather than applied for. I've held a completely "Open" Certificate since the mid-1980s, at no time was it ever applied for, it was simply given on renewal or variation I don't remember which.

Based upon discussions with fellow target shooters/stalkers, the issue of an "Open" certificate deosn't seem to be automatic or based upon time held, as some shooters of many years experience still have territorial restrictions of both land and club. I have no idea why.

I certainly knew it applied to land, but I've never known it applied to clubs for target shooting firearms.

The guidance only lists the following condition for target shooting firearms:

The *firearm and ammunition shall be used for target shooting, and only whilst a member of
*club, and only on ranges suitable for the safe use of that class of firearm and with adequate
financial arrangements in place to meet any injury or damage claim.

i.e. you have to remain a member of your nominated club, but can shoot it on any suitable range with insurance.

My apologies, I did not mean to apply that membership of a club was not necessary - I only meant land in terms of an open certificate.