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

dromia wrote:

Richardd wrote:

dromia wrote: Treating them like the enemy will make them the enemy I suppose.

What prompted that?

Nothing, it's just one of my mantras when dealing with officialdom. I seethe and grind my teeth in private but I'm invariably polite, reasonable and patient to their faces ..... with the sole exception of the Medicines Control Agency (as was) Inspector I threw out my warehouse for being a t*@t

CDM5 wrote:

Gazoo wrote:I thought you had to be a probationary member 6 months any way or is that just for HO approved clubs. ?
No offense and welcome, by the way, but I would have thought that clubs would want to know that you can conduct yourself in a safe manner on a range before giving full membership. Just having an FAC or SGC doesn't necessarily prove that as most of us will be able to attest to. The lone , home shotgunner or vermin rifle shot is not always the person you want next to you on the range. Some have flawless etiquette but should still be observed IMHO .

I was under the impression that it was a minimum of 3 months and 6 being the norm.
Just found this

"Before becoming a full member, individuals must serve a probationary period of at least three (3) months, during which time they must attend and shoot regularly. The probationary member must be given a course in the safe handling and use of firearms on a one to one basis by someone who is either a full member of that club or who is a coach with a qualification recognised by the Great Britain Target Shooting Federation and governing bodies.

Until a probationary member has satisfactorily completed a course in the safe handling and use of firearms, he/she must be supervised at all times when in possession of firearms or ammunition, by either the range officer or a full member of that club, or someone who is a coach with a qualification recognised by the Great Britain Target Shooting Federation and/ or governing bodies.

The probationary period may be waived, at the club's discretion, for someone who is already a full member of another club approved for the type of weapons, or has handled firearms in the course of duty in the police or armed services, and has a statement from his/her existing or former senior officer stating that they are fully trained in handling weapons for which the club is approved, and is able to use them safely without supervision."

Taken from https://www.durham.police.uk/Informatio ... roval.aspx

In the Reference, 2 paras done from your quote:

"The probationary period may be waived, at the club's discretion, for someone who is already a full member of another club approved for the type of weapons, or has handled firearms in the course of duty in the police or armed services, and has a statement from his/her existing or former senior officer stating that they are fully trained in handling weapons for which the club is approved, and is able to use them safely without supervision."

Trident wrote:

CDM5 wrote:

Gazoo wrote:I thought you had to be a probationary member 6 months any way or is that just for HO approved clubs. ?
No offense and welcome, by the way, but I would have thought that clubs would want to know that you can conduct yourself in a safe manner on a range before giving full membership. Just having an FAC or SGC doesn't necessarily prove that as most of us will be able to attest to. The lone , home shotgunner or vermin rifle shot is not always the person you want next to you on the range. Some have flawless etiquette but should still be observed IMHO .

I was under the impression that it was a minimum of 3 months and 6 being the norm.
Just found this

"Before becoming a full member, individuals must serve a probationary period of at least three (3) months, during which time they must attend and shoot regularly. The probationary member must be given a course in the safe handling and use of firearms on a one to one basis by someone who is either a full member of that club or who is a coach with a qualification recognised by the Great Britain Target Shooting Federation and governing bodies.

Until a probationary member has satisfactorily completed a course in the safe handling and use of firearms, he/she must be supervised at all times when in possession of firearms or ammunition, by either the range officer or a full member of that club, or someone who is a coach with a qualification recognised by the Great Britain Target Shooting Federation and/ or governing bodies.

The probationary period may be waived, at the club's discretion, for someone who is already a full member of another club approved for the type of weapons, or has handled firearms in the course of duty in the police or armed services, and has a statement from his/her existing or former senior officer stating that they are fully trained in handling weapons for which the club is approved, and is able to use them safely without supervision."

Taken from https://www.durham.police.uk/Informatio ... roval.aspx

In the Reference, 2 paras done from your quote:

"The probationary period may be waived, at the club's discretion, for someone who is already a full member of another club approved for the type of weapons, or has handled firearms in the course of duty in the police or armed services, and has a statement from his/her existing or former senior officer stating that they are fully trained in handling weapons for which the club is approved, and is able to use them safely without supervision."

Yes, that's why I quoted it

Still find it strange that Mcplod went for it.
Not saying I want more red tape on clubs but club officials have a duty of care to their other members and the public to make sure that new members are consistantly safe.
This should not be read as a slight on you richardd. Does that sound unreasonable?

Ovenpaa wrote:I have been a member of clubs that have taken me on as a full member on the spot, usually based on being an existing FAC holder and a 15 minute chat

+1

Richardd wrote::) I should add that when I went for my variation the Police Firearms office were fine with my immediate full membership and that, surely, is all that matters.

10 days later, my mate Muz, who also wanted to buy a Taurus 357 LBR, took under 5 minutes to get his variation .....

Scotland is a good place to live despite the government with totalitarian ambitions. :) :)

Not all Scottish shooters are treated as equally as others.
i.e. Edinburgh area: a one-for-one WILL ALWAYS be looked at almost as if they've never heard of you.
Home visit, interview, etc.
Last variation took about three weeks....that's VERY fast for here.
Had them take over a year before for variations.

Scotland being a good place? -will leave further comments aside as it's well known that the SNP airgun ban IS their first step to a gun free socialist utopia.
Strangely the most liberal EU countries re. gun ownership are primarily the ex-socialist satellite states.
Not a lesson I'd want anyone in the UK to have to learn....but North of the border it's on the cards.

Most of my variations take 8-12 minutes on my lunch break, fill out the form, phone call in the morning to make an appointment then take paperwork in and take a seat while the print the new ticket, speed depends on which member of the admin team you get. The one time I didn't have time to get in my FEO dropped my ticket at my house personally to make sure I could pick my rifle up for the weekend, that's service!

Hornet35 wrote:Most of my variations take 8-12 minutes on my lunch break, fill out the form, phone call in the morning to make an appointment then take paperwork in and take a seat while the print the new ticket, speed depends on which member of the admin team you get. The one time I didn't have time to get in my FEO dropped my ticket at my house personally to make sure I could pick my rifle up for the weekend, that's service!

What mythical land is this!!

safetyfirst wrote:

Hornet35 wrote:Most of my variations take 8-12 minutes on my lunch break, fill out the form, phone call in the morning to make an appointment then take paperwork in and take a seat while the print the new ticket, speed depends on which member of the admin team you get. The one time I didn't have time to get in my FEO dropped my ticket at my house personally to make sure I could pick my rifle up for the weekend, that's service!

What mythical land is this!!

Sounds more like an alternate universe!.

Hornet35 wrote:Most of my variations take 8-12 minutes on my lunch break, fill out the form, phone call in the morning to make an appointment then take paperwork in and take a seat while the print the new ticket, speed depends on which member of the admin team you get. The one time I didn't have time to get in my FEO dropped my ticket at my house personally to make sure I could pick my rifle up for the weekend, that's service!

Mine took about the same time as well, fill form, make phone call, arrive, sit, stand up, say "thank you " drive home. And no I don`t live in the same area either, just have "NICE" people in the dept.