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

I have had three vacant slots on my certificate for the full 5 years I have had it. I have just renewed and I still have three vacant slots all though for different calibers. What you have to remember is that when you are dealing with your licencing authority if you don't take the time to learn how the system works and what you are actually entitled to by law. Never mind how they might interpret it the law is the law. If you let them They will screw you over.

I got exta slots carried over as I loking for a Broomhandle Mauser and a Fosberry I managed this by writing a letter explaining how difficult it was to get the right gun at the right price. When I moved to this area I was told I could not have more than one gun in each calibre. I wrote explaining that I needed them for different competitions and backing it up with the NRA / HBSA rules for the different comps. I now have 3 x .303 2 x .455 I had to explain 455 auto to them and 2 x 9mm again I had to explain 9mm Browing Long to them

I carried over 4 slots including 2 trigger release rifles, I just said that I was hesitant to buy more 'military looking' rifles before the EU legislation was finalised and they were happy with that.

Out of curiosity those people who were given time limits to fill slots, was that done by way of a condition on your certificate? And did it include a date? It's just I'm struggling to see how they would enforce that and whether or not it counts as a partial revocation?!

Out of curiosity those people who were given time limits to fill slots, was that done by way of a condition on your certificate? And did it include a date? It's just I'm struggling to see how they would enforce that and whether or not it counts as a partial revocation?!

In my case, there was no alteration to the new FAC. The 9mm was on the new FAC but there was a letter accompanying the FAC advising I had 12 months to fill that slot or it would be removed. True enough, at the time of my next variation after a year had gone, that slot was gone.

I don't think it's a big deal. If I found the right 9mm rifle today, I reckon I would have no trouble putting in for a variation to have it on my FAC.

Ah so they did it 'off ticket'. That's the thing of course, if they're willing to grant you the slot again, why not just leave it on I suppose its a way of getting another £20 out of you

I kinda understand the logic for having spare slots for rare and collectable calibers.
Whenever I have requested a variation, I have filled the slot either on the day my new FAC drops through the letter box or within a few weeks. More often than not I will walk into my favourite RDF, see something I like, ask them to hold it for me and immediately put in a variation request..... wait a week or two and going and collect it

Not everyone has the spare coin instantly available to do that though.

When I applied for my ticket, I asked for what I plan to buy in that 5 years. I had no idea what specific rifles I was going to buy, and i still haven't filled them even yet simply because other things have taken my spare cash.

I also can't be fussed with the hassle of constantly banging in variations when something catches my eye.

This whole veration thing is pointless and should be scrapped ! The fac should be like an SGC where you can buy an unlimited amount of shotguns long as you fit them in your safe ! There hasn't been blood on streets because of this system