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My FAC runs out today

I've got a buyer for the AR 223, my new 284 is sat with Mik at Dolphin Guns all done and ready to go but I can't do Jack sign01

FLO is supposedly coming one evening this week, but he's not sure when.. so at best it'll be next weekend before I see anything and I know Mik is doing the F-class training session at Bisley so I probably won't be until the following week.

very annoyed :cool2: :cool2: :cool2: :cool2:

Alan

I know how you feel my certificate is in for what should be a very simple and straightforward renewal and Gwent are really making a meal out of it. The application was made two months before the renewal date and all relevant paperwork supplied including referees and confirmation of land to shoot over. Frankly they are not only inefficient but bordering on the incompetent. I just hope they get their act together soon but as they have issued a 12 month temporary permit perhaps they are not too confident. A year or so ago they managed to improve things no end, but it certainly looks like they have returned to their old ways or perhaps they are delibrately trying to annoy.

they SHOULD issue a Temp. Section 7 permit - though these only cover possession, not use

That said, more than likely they'll NOT issue a permit - even though the law says they should - so get any S.1 & S.2 guns with an RFD before your FAC expires

I went through this with my SGC last year, my FEO told me I was on the system so could carry on as normal and the new SGC would be out in a few days and I could hang onto my shotguns and use them without issues. What I could not do is buy another one should I have wanted to....

According to Warwickshire Police, forces are reluctant to issue temporary permits as these are recorded by the Home Office and count against them - targets not met etc. Warwickshire have a more enlightened approach to this issue: they ensure they renew FACs, issue variations and so forth in time. Mine took only 5 days, including postage both ways. If you have a problem, write to your MP and ask him to take up the matter with the Home Office. If you do that, he is obliged to do it, and the Home Office then ask awkward questions of the police force concerned.

I asked where i stood and was told not to panic and that my info is on the system.

Im just annoyed about the lack of hurry up :roll:

Taken from another website (i hope Mr Adam doesn't mind )

"On Thursday I attended the Practitioners Group meeting at Fife Police HQ. This is a bi-annual meeting in advance of FELWG (Firearms & Explosives Licensing Working Group) meetings, and it is attended by representatives of FELWG (usually Firearms Licensing Managers), the Home Office and BSSC.

Whilst I acknowledge that at this kind of bash the FELWG attendees tend to be from the better authorities, they all claimed to be doing the best they can for shooters under difficult circumstances with severe financial cutbacks and staff hours being limited. Indeed two of the five FELWG attendees had pretty good track records from the feedback I've had from members.

It was acknowledged that some Police Authorities have severe backlogs, but a number of them have been holding crisis meeting recently to try and work out how to reduce the backlock, with some additional resources being allocated in a few regions.

They all stressed that getting your paperwork in early was a big help.

They also mentioned making sure that you put enough postage on your envelope - mail that that is 'underpaid' does not get collected by the Police since they will need to pay a surcharge to the Post Office. If this is not collected within seven days, it's then sent to a sorting centre in Belfast where it is opened if necessary in order to find out a return address. I'm sure that none of our members want their paperwork to go that route!

They suggested that if you had not heard from them within a reasonable time after putting your papers in, give them a polite call or e.mail as a follow up to make sure that it has arrived. Getting stroppy definately does not help.

We also asked whether Section 7 temporary permits could be issued when a ticket has run out, but that brought a detailed response as to what then then needs to happen with the national computerised records, where the firearms need to be manually transferred from the FAC/SGC to the temporary permit, then transferred back when the Certificates are finally issued. Certainly as stated, this causes the workload to increase, compounding the delays.

Whilst some regions have begun a process with automatic renewal on application followed by subsequent revocation on investigation, none of the FELWG representatives were comfortable with this approach. However they were told that equally the shooters, their ‘customers’, were also not comfortable with being technically in illegal possession, having an inability to purchase ammunition or travel abroad without valid paperwork, and that ‘letters of comfort’ were no substitute.

Finally, the question was asked whether there had been any prosecutions for illegal posession of anyone who's paperwork was in on time but the new Certificates had not been issued before the old ones had expired. The answer was that they were not aware of any."

My FAC renewal last year was late and i was illegally in possession for about a week :-P This is precisely why i don't have coterminus certificates :roll:

Colin Greenwoods advice was ALWAYS get a temp. permit OR lodge the guns with an RFD

My force INSIST that guns are with an RFD if the paperwork is not renewed in time!!
They also refuse to give temp. permits...or, should I say, have never issued when I approached them to do so....

Simple solution ooman.

The plod have failed to deliver the service you have paid for.

Write to your MP and insist he takes it up with the Home Office.

He's obliged to do it if you ask.

The Home Office will be down upon your local plod.

You are paying for a service you aren't receiving ooman.

Stand up and be counted.

saddler wrote: My force INSIST that guns are with an RFD if the paperwork is not renewed in time!!
They also refuse to give temp. permits...or, should I say, have never issued when I approached them to do so....

Tayside are the same.