ADVICE ON FILLING IN AN APPLICATION FORM FOR SHOTGUN CERTIFICATE OR FAC.

Part A applies to both Firearms and Shotgun certificates

QUESTIONS 1-13 PERSONAL DETAILS

You are asked for a daytime telephone number so that the Firearms Enquiry Officer (FEO) can telephone to make an appointment at a mutually convenient time. If he calls without an appointment and it is not convenient, then say so. Ask him to telephone to arrange a more suitable time. If he becomes aggressive or threatening, or says that it will delay your renewal which may put you in illegal possession of firearms and liable to prosecution, ask for his name, rank and number, make a note of it and inform BASC.

QUESTION 14 CONVICTIONS

You must include all convictions, whether in Britain or abroad. Cautions do not need to be mentioned but conditional or absolute discharges do. If this is a renewal, then only record those since the last application but say that you have done so, so as not to leave yourself open to an accusation of withholding information. If none, say "none" or "none since last renewal", as appropriate.

QUESTION 15A

This refers to any medical conditions but it seems reasonable to include only those which might have some bearing on your fitness to possess a shotgun. If in doubt, put them down. Broadly speaking, if you are fit enough to drive a car on today's roads, you are fit enough to handle a gun safely.

QUESTION 15B EPILEPSY

Self-explanatory but note too that there are related conditions. If in doubt, ask your GP.

QUESTION 15C DEPRESSION

It does not preclude you from having a certificate unless the condition presents particular problems and, as at 15a, as a general principle, if you are healthy enough in mind and body to drive a car, you are also healthy enough to use a gun. Once again, if in doubt ask your doctor.

QUESTION 16 MEDICAL HISTORY

This may seem an unwarranted intrusion but you must complete it if you want the application to be processed. In fact it is not as bad as it might appear because it only gives the police authority to approach your GP for "factual details" of your medical history; i.e. a report. They should not ask the doctor for an opinion as to your fitness to possess shotguns, nor are they allowed access to your medical records. Note also that the Home Office suggests that doctors will need to be contacted only where there are genuine doubts about the applicants health; also that if the doctor makes a charge for supplying information, the police must pay it.

The letter below was drafted by BASC, one similar to your doctor should avoid any confusion as to what information is to be divulged.

Dear Doctor .....

I am in the process of applying for the grant/renewal of my firearm/shotgun certificate and it is now a requirement that I give the police the name and address of my doctor. It is possible that the police may contact you and ask you to provide factual details of my medical history. The Home Office has advised that that is all they may ask and that is all they have my signed authority for. They may under no circumstances have access to my medical records nor are they to ask you for an opinion on my suitability to possess firearms.

The Home Office has also said that the police should only need to contact doctors where there are genuine concerns about an applicant's health and that, if there is a charge for supplying the information, it must be paid for by the police. Any request to you from the police will inevitably concern confidential, privileged and personal information. I would therefore be most grateful if you would copy to me any report that you make to the police and also keep me informed of the details of any other contact you have with them concerning my application.

Yours sincerely,

SHOTGUN CERTIFICATE PART B (Details of shotguns)

QUESTION 17 STORAGE OF SHOTGUNS AND NAMES OF THOSE USING CABINET

Normally, the answer will be: "In a purpose-built steel cabinet securely fixed to a wall of the house and out of sight of casual visitors". This is in accordance with Home Office advice which goes on to say that any other method providing an equivalent level of security should be equally acceptable. It is worth noting that the requirement for reasonably secure storage does not apply to shotgun cartridges. They are best stored in a cool, dry place out of reach of children. The police are there to advise you on secure storage, not to dictate conditions. If you think their "advice" is unreasonable then contact BASC. Your statutory responsibility for security is set out as Condition 4a on your shotgun certificate. This means that you must store your shotguns "securely so as to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, access to the shotguns by an unauthorised person". It does not say that you must have a BSI tested cabinet or, indeed, that you must have a cabinet of any kind. However, it is normally accepted that a purpose-built gun cabinet, securely fixed to the fabric of the building and in a position where it is not readily observed by casual visitors, is the easiest way for most certificate holders to show that they are fulfilling their responsibility. Other methods giving an equivalent level of security are equally acceptable. Be sensible about security. Be aware that good overall household security protects all your property, not just your guns. The important words in the requirement are "reasonably practicable" and it is your own responsibility, not that of the FEO. He is there to advise and help. If you get it wrong, you are answerable to the courts.

QUESTION 18 DETAILS OF SHOTGUNS IN YOUR POSSESSION

Straightforward but note that the second column asks for the "gauge, bore or calibre" of the gun, so that the answer is "12" etc. as the case may be, rather than "12 bore, 3 inch Magnum"

PART C (CERTIFICATES)

QUESTIONS 19 TO 22 PREVIOUS SHOTGUN AND FIREARM CERTIFICATES

(EASY TO COMPLETE BUT READ CAREFULLY)

The note relating to Question 21b is incorrect in one detail. The fee for the co-terminous renewal of a shotgun certificate is always less than for renewal of a shotgun certificate alone. However, that only applies when both firearm and shotgun certificates are dealt with at the same time. The reduced fee does not apply to the renewal of a shogun certificate on its own for a shorter period than five years so as to make it coincide with the renewal date for the firearm certificate. The reduced fee will apply on the following renewal, when the dates for both certificates are the same.

Read Question 22 carefully. It concerns any previous refusals or revocations. The police already have this information but it is still important to give an accurate answer.

PART D (COUNTERSIGNATURES)

Once you have filled in your personal details in Part A of the form (Questions 1-16), your counter signatory should complete and sign Part D. The counter signatory will be someone who is resident in Great Britain and who has known you for at least two years. He/she must also be a Member of Parliament, minister of religion, doctor, lawyer, established civil servant, bank officer or person of similar standing and not a member of the applicant's family. Police are advised by Home Office guidance that: "If advice is sought, applicants should be informed that it is helpful if the counter signatory is someone whose name can be found in a book of public reference. This includes members of professional bodies (such as architects, accountants and surveyors), persons who hold or have at one time held a regular commission in Her Majesty's Forces or who are qualified teachers in recognised schools. It may also be appropriate to include an applicant's employer if it is a well-established business and the applicant is well-known to him". Anyone who would make a charge is barred from acting as a countersignatory.

PHOTOGRAPHS

Each application must be accompanied by four passport size photographs, one of which must be signed and dated on the back by your countersignatory and endorsed with the words: "I certify that this is a current true likeness of "(your name)"

PART E DON'T FORGET YOUR SIGNATURE !!

Note that the section relating to the requirement for photographs is incorrect where it states that a "firearm application requires that each of the referees should endorse a separate photograph and that two photographs must be signed by you". You only need to sign one for each application.

FIREARM CERTIFICATES PART B (Details of firearms and ammunition)

QUESTION 17

List the firearms in your possession. If this is an application for the initial grant of a certificate, the answer to this question is "none". Note that the first box asks for the calibre of firearm. It does not ask what cartridge it fires, so the correct answer would be, for example, .22 (it is helpful to say rim fire or centre fire since they are so different or 6mm/.244 or 6.5mm/.256 or 7mm/.284 or 7.62mm/.30 etc. as the case may be.

QUESTION 18.

Same as 17 but concerning ammunition. If a first application, the answer is "none" If a renewal make sure that you do not have more ammunition in your possession than you are entitled to. Once again the question asks for the calibre, not for the cartridge designation.

QUESTION 19.

Firearms you wish to acquire. It asks for calibre, type, reason and where it is intended to use the firearm. Calibre. The question asks for the calibre of rifle/pistol, not for the name of the cartridge. For example, .308 Winchester is a cartridge, not a calibre; the calibre is .30. The Home Office confirms this is the correct interpretation. "Type" means target rifle, sporting rifle, large magazine capacity shotgun, or muzzle loading Pistol. "Reason" for possession will be "target shooting", "pest control and zeroing/target practice" or "deer/pest control and zeroing target practice" as the case may be. This is to establish you have a good reason for possessing each firearm and that the above suggestions are quite sufficient. You do not need to detail each species of animal or bird you might wish to shoot, nor in the future will you need to apply for a variation to allow you to shoot different species. "Where" For a pure target rifle or a muzzle loading pistol you must be a member of a Home office approved club which offers facilities for the type of firearm. In this case the correct answer to the question is "as 1 member of "_ _ _ _ " rifle/muzzle loading pistol club and on other ranges which have the appropriate range safety certificate". For sporting rifles the best answer is: "On (name of land) and on any other land where permission has been obtained". If you cannot name a piece of land but wish to shoot with a friend or as a paying stalker etc., it should not be a problem, although some police firearms licensing departments will try to turn it into one. It is best to contact BASC under those circumstances.

NB. Please note that Question 19 clearly says the information relating to where the firearm will be used is only required in connection with new firearms which you are asking for authority to acquire. This means the information is not required for firearms already in your possession. The Home Office (OPPU) confirms this.

QUESTION 20.

Maximum amount of ammunition you require to have in your possession at any one time. For .22 "Rimfire" the usual quantity would be around 600 to 1, 000 rounds, depending on your type of shooting. Enter a figure which is within reason but will permit you time to buy in fresh supplies. For "Centre fire" ammunition it is usually around 180 to 200 rounds per calibre, which should allow you time to buy further supplies of ammunition. Make sure you enter a figure high enough to ensure that you do not run out, especially if it is difficult for you to get to a stockist. If your rifle is held for pest shooting or deer control, please note that cartridges loaded with expanding bullets and even the bullets themselves are prohibited by law unless there is a condition on your FAC allowing you to obtain and possess expanding ammunition. Make sure you ask for the correct condition if you want to use soft or hollow point bullets.

QUESTION 2l.

Quantity of ammunition you wish to purchase at any one time. This will be less than the quantity at the previous question so as to allow for purchasing fresh ammunition before you run out. For .22 "Rim fire" between 400 to 800 rounds & for "Centre fire" 100 rounds per calibre. If you are a home loader remember the form insists that the total should include loose bullets.

PART C (STORAGE OF FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION)

For assistance with security measures see the Police Firearms Security Handbook 2005 at the link below (adobe acrobat reader is required)

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/police/operational-policing/firearms-handbook-2005/

QUESTION 22.

Requires the address where the firearms are to be stored and details of any other certificate holder who shares the storage facility with you. Usually his or her name and certificate number.

QUESTION 22A.

If the firearms are to be stored at your home address simply tick the appropriate box.

QUESTION 22B.

If your cabinet has a kite mark to show that it has passed the BSI British Standards Institute) test simply tick the box. Don't worry if your cabinet has no kite mark, a BSI approved cabinet is not a requirement for the grant or renewal of certificate.

QUESTIONS 23 TO 26. RELATE TO DETAILS OF PAST CERTIFICATES.

PART E (REFEREES)

This section has been ammended. Previously an applicant had to find a countersignatory who had a certain standing in the community. For a firearm certificate two referees are required now instead of the one as required for Shotgun applications. There are notes on the back of the form to assist with filling in this section but if they can be confusing for further assistance telephone BASC firearms department on 01244 573 010. You may ask anyone you wish to act as a referee, other than a member of your family, a police officer, a civilian police employee or a registered firearms dealer. The referee must have known you for at least two years. If you hold, or wish to hold any of your firearms purely for target shooting, see the notes on the application form for details of when dealers may act as referees and for when the secretary of a Home Office approved rifle club must be one of your referees. Your referees must each sign the application form in the space provided which confirms that they believe your answers to Questions 1 - 16 are correct and that the photographs are a true likeness of you.

PART F (DECLARATION)

Make sure you've read & fully understand the form then Sign and Date the application. Your application can be taken to a local Police station with the appropriate fee and your current certificate or sent by Post to the Firearms licensing department.

CERTIFICATE FEES (as at 23rd October 2010)

Once you have your certificate and you want to buy a shotgun if you buy it privately you must notify your local police Firearms department within 7 days of the sale, transfer or purchase of any Firearm. The following form will help you to do this just, click on the link below and save it to your desktop. Print it out, fill it in and send it recorded delivery to your local Police Firearms Licensing Department.

Humberside Police area applications should be sent to the following address :-

Firearms Licensing, Tower Grange Police Station, Holderness Road, Hull, HU8 9HP

Firearms Sale/Transfer/Purchase Form (open and print)

CHANGING ADDRESSES

The certificate holder must notify change of address as soon as possible in writing and return their certificate(s) to their local firearms licencing department.  The details on their records will be updated and a new certificate will be printed and returned to your local police station for delivery and inspection of security.  Additional photographs are NOT required.

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