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Triffid wrote:

TattooedGun wrote:

Gazza wrote:Spoke to fiery Fiona at Wakefield today And this is how it is with West Yorks.
I need to shoot over land with someone using their guns not mine. They then have to put in writing to plod that I'm safe.
I have to send in FAC with permission letter and they will then check land to see if it has been passed for calibres that I want to shoot.

I'd suggest that needing to shoot over land with someone and their guns is an unreasonable request.

Whose to say the person granting you permission even has guns. You might be there to kerb a problem that they do not have the tools to do themselves.

I was under the impression that permission to shoot is all you need.

It's not just about the land, it's about the shooter as well. The Police are asking for someone with an existing open/semi-open FAC to go round with you and certify that you can shoot safely. Quite honestly that doesn't sound too onerous to me and I'm sure you'll get a volunteer from this thread.
Triffid

I've already got a couple of people to certify me hopefully, I'm just awaiting their response to my messages.

Triffid[/quote]
I've already got a couple of people to certify me hopefully, I'm just awaiting their response to my messages.[/quote]


They want to certify you in a different way though .

Dellboy wrote:Triffid

I've already got a couple of people to certify me hopefully, I'm just awaiting their response to my messages.[/quote]


They want to certify you in a different way though .[/quote]

I expected nothing less from you Dell

I would be personally a bit hacked off if my local firearms licensing department responded to my new land authority with a request that I go and shoot with someone else.

Firstly not all shooters are good guys, just type in mentor into a search engine to see stories aplenty of parochial,wizened old goats dictating to the other party how often they can go out and how long they will have to wait before they would even start to think about "signing them off".

Don't think being back doored is off the table either, plenty of shooters out there will happily get their feet under the table of your shooting permission.

I wouldn't be willing to accept a closed ticket with one named rifle for sporting purposes if I were in the position you were in.
Also if you don't have them already, make sure you have sound moderators for all your rifles.

It might be necessary for you to use a .22 centrefire on rabbits and ground game, so don't bracket yourself in by expecting just to use rimfires.

What I would do as a matter of priority would be to join an association that would insure and represent me, and then get something in writing to the FLD asking them where the risk is in granting you the flexibility on your ticket that you've requested.

If they continually get away with slapping conditions on people who are experienced rifle shots then they will tar everybody with the same brush and before you know it we will be paying to do basc courses with refresher training every other year just to maintain an FAC with an authority to shoot rabbits/ground game.

Don't just take my word for it, I guarantee there will be another dozen people thinking what I've just pointed out, people who have been through the system and refuse to be 'yes' men.

I agree with what you are saying DL. Fortunatley my "mentor" is my FAC referee who has also got permission on the same land so its not really a big deal and no "back dooring" as you put it.
I'll go along with what they ask for the moment but if it starts getting arsey then I'll delve into legislation and make a stand.
As for getting limited to rimfire on the land (if they state that) ...... I will be fighting that one.
The land is passed up to .243 and I'll be wanting to use .223 on there if possible.
My permission letter states: permission to use any lawfully held firearms that the land is cleared for.

Lets see what happens

A bit of advice when it comes to getting "permissions" for the first time. Do what the police ask. Gun clubs and ranges are controlled environments, land is not. Undertake their suggestions then bide your time. After a couple of years, as per guidance, then apply for the "open" ticket.

It doesn't matter how much experience you've previously had with air rifles and estate rifle exemptions, you have squat experience as far as the police are concerned. You will only get your authority expanded once you have an auditable history. Trust me, it will save you stress and build your reputation.

Sim G wrote:A bit of advice when it comes to getting "permissions" for the first time. Do what the police ask. Gun clubs and ranges are controlled environments, land is not. Undertake their suggestions then bide your time. After a couple of years, as per guidance, then apply for the "open" ticket.

It doesn't matter how much experience you've previously had with air rifles and estate rifle exemptions, you have squat experience as far as the police are concerned. You will only get your authority expanded once you have an auditable history. Trust me, it will save you stress and build your reputation.

Sound advice there,