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Shotgun licence / shotgun certificate application

By Shooting UK

Tuesday, 26 June 2007

Shotgun licence, shotgun certificate application: Your shotgun licence is not that difficult to obtain.

Shotgun licence, shotgun licences, shotgun certificate application.
LET'S ASSUME you've had a few shooting lessons and had a great time.

You also enjoy the camaraderie at the shooting ground, want to shoot a few club competitions, and maybe venture to other grounds in the vicinity.

And now you want to obtain your shotgun licence and buy your own gun.

The first thing you are going to need is a shotgun certificate, and you can get an application form from any police station in England, Scotland or Wales. In Northern Ireland the rules are different, and you will need a Firearms Certificate.

Notes to help you complete the application form.

YOU WILL NEED
- An Application Form.
- An envelope to return your form.
- 4 passport style photographs.

Before the Chief Officer of Police can grant or renew a shotgun certificate he must be satisfied that the applicant can be permitted to possess a shotgun without danger to the public safety or to the peace.

If you are applying for the grant of a Shotgun Certificate – The Fee is £50.00

If you are applying for the renewal of a Shotgun Certificate – The fee is £40

On receipt of your application, they will make checks to see if you have any previous convictions.

It is important to ensure all details of Part A, Questions 1 – 16 of the form are fully completed to ensure this can be done.

All previous convictions must be declared on the applications form.

It is an offence under Section 28A(7) of the Firearms Act 1968-1997 to make a false declaration when answering this question.

It is not permitted to withhold any previous convictions by virtue of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (see note 4 on the application form).

If the exact dates cannot be remembered give an approximations as well as the nature of the offence.

Not all convictions are relevant but the offender's age when they were committed and the length of time without re-offending are factors which are considered in addition to the seriousness of the offence.

Applicants who satisfy our enquiries will normally be visited at home by a police officer.

The Officer will discuss the application and proposed security arrangements.

This officer will report to the Chief Officer of Police after his visit and if your application is approved, the certificate will be granted.

If your security was installed and the officer inspected it on his visit, the certificate can be posted to you.

If your security has not been installed, your certificate will be hand delivered by a Police Officer who will hand you your certificate once he is satisfied your security has been installed correctly.

Regardless of the reason for issue, you must install your own security.

Should the Chief Officer of Police refuse your application, you will be informed, in writing, giving the reasons why and of your right of appeal against the decision.

You will also be asked a number of medical questions - to identify conditions which could render gun handling dangerous - and provide the name of your current GP, together with permission for the police to access your medical history.

You will then have to give details of where your gun is to be stored.

Shotgun licence / shotgun certificate

The next important bit of the form has to filled in by a counter signatory who has known you personally for at least two years.

Such a person cannot be a relative, a serving policeman or police civilian employee, or a registered firearms dealer, and according to the wording should be:

"...a Member of Parliament, Justice of the Peace, minister of religion, doctor, lawyer, established civil servant, bank officer, or person of similar standing."

Most police forces give a sensibly liberal interpretation to 'person of similar standing', and accept most people known and respected in the community.

If you have any doubt about the validity of your chosen person, just ring up the firearms department at your local police headquarters and ask.

With your application you must also provide four passport-sized photographs of yourself, one of which must be signed on the back by your counter signatory.

You then return the form to the police, together with the fee (£50 at the time of writing).

Over the next few weeks you will get a visit from the police, so it's good to be prepared and buy a gun cabinet.

There are many prices and specifications, but all should conform to the accepted British Standard: BS7558:1992. Your local gun shop will help you with this.

The cabinet must be firmly attached to a wall within your home, and the best place is inside a built-in cupboard. The person who calls from the police may be a serving police officer or, more likely these days, a specialist civilian employee.

He or she will first go through your application form with you, and you may be asked a number of questions to further explain your written answers on the form.

If asked why you wish to own a shotgun, all you need say is you wish to take part in shooting sports. The examining officer may also wish to look at the general security of your home, particularly if you live in a high-crime area.

Don't worry - you will not be required to turn your home into Fort Knox. Usually the officer's advice will be well worth having to safeguard other valuable property as well as your gun.

After that, it should be just a matter of waiting for your certificate to arrive in the post.

Shotgun licence / shotgun certificate application

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