How
to obtain a Firearms Certificate
The advice given here is general, but is
believed
to be correct - buyer beware!
It is generally accepted that Firearms Certificate
(FAC) is required before
you can purchase, or posses any firearm, ammunition, or certain parts
of a firearm, e.g. a
spare barrel.
However club members can - with permission - move rifles and ammo to a competition without a FAC. A club member - without a FAC - can even take a rifle of a member with a FAC - but these are extreme events likely to confuse a basic "beat" bobby.
There are two main ways to obtain
an FAC in the UK:
Before applying for a FAC you should consider
the issues of security and the fact you need at least one gun box with
at least 1 seperately lockable area to hold the rifle bold and
ammo. Ideally the box should to be securely fixed to a loadbearing
wall - both other options are possible.
In order to become a full member of Clach a prospective member must join the club as a probationary member and complete a reasonable number of visits in a 6 month time period. To join the club it is necessary to both pay the subscription fee and complete an application form giving the names and addresses of two referees who have known the applicant for at least two years. A part of the application includes a signed declaration that the applicant is not debarred from firearms use or possession. After the end of this probationary period, subject to satisfactory behaviour and no adverse reports from any source, membership will be confirmed at the next committee meeting.
After membership has been confirmed a FAC can be applied for. The Police will not entertain any application that is not confirmed by the club secretary, so it is a waste of time trying before full membership is granted.
When the FAC application is is received by the police (you get the forms here) along with the necessary fee, they will make an appointment with you to come and inspect your home and security arrangements for storing the firearms and ammunition.
When applying for the FAC it is worth while specifying at least one more rifle than you need, this is to allow the purchase of a new rifle, before the sale of an old rifle has gone through. There is no limit as to the number of guns or quantity of ammunition you can ask for, but the more you want, the more security the police may insist on before granting the FAC. 2 rifles and 500 rounds would seem a usual "first time" request. Up to 20,000 rounds is not unusual for shooters who purchase selected ammo in bulk.
Basically they will expect a steel cabinet of at least 16 swg bolted to the floor and / or wall and secured with 5 lever lock(s). Connection to an alarm would be a bonus and in some locations may be a requirement. If your premises has shared access, for example if it is in a block of flats, the requirements may be more stringent.
It is worth remembering that unless anyone else living at your address has an FAC listing your guns, then that person cannot legally handle them, even in the home.
A part of the application form is to specify
the
names and addresses of two referees that are willing to support your
application for an
FAC. There are restrictions as to who can act as a referee, family
members being barred as
is anyone with a criminal record. It is not possible to have your
application supported by
two members of your club, you must find independent referees who are
willing to complete a
questionnaire about you and return it directly to the police (so that
you cannot see what
they have written). On the other hand FAC renewals for thr
purpose of target shooting only REQUIRE that a club official is a
referree.
Note that the club has a legal obligation to
report the names of any member not shooting for a year - so remember to
fill in the purple book if you are not competing in documented
competitions.
The best advice to any new FAC applicant is to
ask
existing club members for advice before
filling out the application form. Other guidance available here.