Always willing to help out on the sporting front and I also know quite a few reasonable clubs, I am sadly flat out at the moment and about to start on the Pheasants!

My brother belongs to a pistol caliber range on brighton seafront, they seem to have a laugh down there, I can get you a contact no. if you wish

Have had a FAC in NI for about 22 years.
Initially, it was get two letters from farmers with permission to shoot. Then window shop for shotgun etc. Then fill in the application form with a letter from the gunshop. Picked up the gun a few weeks later. Getting additional weapons was done through the gunshop, just gave them the licence and they took care of the paperwork. Although a cabinet was mentioned, I never got one and no one asked about it again.

Then, about two years ago, I forgot to renew it. Fire Arms Officer actually phoned up and called at the house, which was a good trick since I'd moved house, without changing the address on the FAC.
He was very helpful, but wanted to take the guns and keep them in the police station strongroom until it was sorted out. Fair enough.

Called into the station and filled in the renewal form. Then had to get a gun cabinet (around £160) because the guns been just broken and hid in a cupboard. Sitting chatting about DIC and would it affect an application, just curious, he said 'Nah, sure everyone's got one.'

He came out and tried to pull the gun safe off the wall, was satisfied, gave the guns out of the boot of car, job done. Weapons were two shotguns and a .22.

Originally Posted by EX_STAB

Join a rifle club.
Serve a 3 month probationary period. (some clubs may require longer)

6 months surely for a Home Office approved club - I remember being pissed off when they brought it in (late 80s David Warrington, Home Sec?). Won't you have difficulties if it isn't Home Office approved? I know not all, but every club it seemed to be 6.

Originally Posted by ugly

Always willing to help out on the sporting front and I also know quite a few reasonable clubs, I am sadly flat out at the moment and about to start on the Pheasants!

Could you PM me a couple of recommended clubs, I'll trot off to them and carry out my own recce.

Many thanks to all those that have helped, comments most appreciated.

Originally Posted by mac1

Originally Posted by EX_STAB

Join a rifle club.
Serve a 3 month probationary period. (some clubs may require longer)

6 months surely for a Home Office approved club - I remember being pissed off when they brought it in (late 80s David Warrington, Home Sec?). Won't you have difficulties if it isn't Home Office approved? I know not all, but every club it seemed to be 6.

No, three months as I stated. Clubs are at liberty to extend the period of probation as far as they like.