Gun Clubs and Shotgun License
Discussion
I've done numerous clay pigeon shooting days and always tag a day at the range onto any business trips to the US but I want to take the sport up a bit more frequently by applying for my shotgun license.
There seems to be the consensus that you must be a member of a gun club before applying for your shotgun license as it makes you appear more credible yet I see no such requirement posted by my local police authority, can anyone clarify this?
There is a club within reasonable distance of me and they provide all the weapons and ammunition for a monthly fee, they advertise that joining is a long process in order to vet members and put off casual shooters off the street. They make no mention of whether or not you already need a shotgun or FAC license to join, can you shoot a section 1 firearm on someone else's license?
Any other advice on what to look for in a gun club would be appreciated. I already have my safe installed and all the paperwork signed etc.
There seems to be the consensus that you must be a member of a gun club before applying for your shotgun license as it makes you appear more credible yet I see no such requirement posted by my local police authority, can anyone clarify this?
There is a club within reasonable distance of me and they provide all the weapons and ammunition for a monthly fee, they advertise that joining is a long process in order to vet members and put off casual shooters off the street. They make no mention of whether or not you already need a shotgun or FAC license to join, can you shoot a section 1 firearm on someone else's license?
Any other advice on what to look for in a gun club would be appreciated. I already have my safe installed and all the paperwork signed etc.
Jasmine1 said:
They make no mention of whether or not you already need a shotgun or FAC license to join, can you shoot a section 1 firearm on someone else's license?
A non certificate holder may use a shotgun in the following circumstances:- He may borrow a shotgun from the occupier of private land and use it on that land in the occupier’s presence. For a borrower under 18 years old, the occupier must be over 18 years old.
- Whilst at a shooting ground approved by the police for shooting at artificial targets only.
SGC is fairly straightforward. Just apply - in essence the cops have to prove you're unfit.
FAC the boot's the other foot - you have to prove why you need a rifle. Pest control, deer shooting, target shooting. You need to show you have a purpose for shooting and somewhere to shoot. Unless you have permission to shoot on suitable land (and many FEOs will require you to have a mentor even for bunnies with a 22 rimfire) that leaves gun clubs.
FAC the boot's the other foot - you have to prove why you need a rifle. Pest control, deer shooting, target shooting. You need to show you have a purpose for shooting and somewhere to shoot. Unless you have permission to shoot on suitable land (and many FEOs will require you to have a mentor even for bunnies with a 22 rimfire) that leaves gun clubs.
For shotguns as said its pretty straight forward. Takes 3-6 months depending on force area.
Sec 1 bit more involved but basically for most people it involves either joining a club and doing a probation period (usually 6 months) and they will then provide you with "consent" so to speak to shoot at their club or you need to have land with permission to shoot over. Usually said land has to be approved already but sometimes you can get approval. If you are going for the latter you certainly want to include scope zero on the ticket.
Most clubs can be a bit stuffy to start with but once you put some effort in helping on the range set up and what not you will find they will warm to you. Also ask questions and learn and get to know them. If you appear a loner / stand offish you might get bad feedback.
Sec 1 bit more involved but basically for most people it involves either joining a club and doing a probation period (usually 6 months) and they will then provide you with "consent" so to speak to shoot at their club or you need to have land with permission to shoot over. Usually said land has to be approved already but sometimes you can get approval. If you are going for the latter you certainly want to include scope zero on the ticket.
Most clubs can be a bit stuffy to start with but once you put some effort in helping on the range set up and what not you will find they will warm to you. Also ask questions and learn and get to know them. If you appear a loner / stand offish you might get bad feedback.
Hereward said:
TooLateForAName said:
Jasmine1 said:
Thank you, but I was specifically referring to section 1 firearms and not shotguns.
Strange to make so many mentions of shotguns thenOP, can you clarify exactly what you are wanting to do, and then we can advise on process and paperwork?
You need to figure out if you want a shotgun or a firearm.
You do not need to join a club to get a shotgun certificate.
If you want a firearm for target shooting purposes, you must be a full member of a club. To do that, you must go through a probation period which is at least 3 months and often 6 months.
Expect about 1 year from joining a club to you having firearms at home in your safe.
You do not need to join a club to get a shotgun certificate.
If you want a firearm for target shooting purposes, you must be a full member of a club. To do that, you must go through a probation period which is at least 3 months and often 6 months.
Expect about 1 year from joining a club to you having firearms at home in your safe.
Thanks for the replies and I know people are just trying to help, so to make things a bit clearer.
1. Do I need to be a member of a gun club before applying for my shotgun license? I would expect one of the first questions I'll be asked is "where do you intend to use it", will non membership at local clay pigeon venue suffice or will I need to be a fully accepted member at a gun club?
2. What should I look for when looking to join a gun Club and do I need to hold a shotgun certificate beforehand?
3. Can you use a section 1 firearm on someone else's license, assuming you are in their presence and on their land cleared for that calibre weapon? I am talking about using a rifle for regular target practice, this is just a generic question out of curiosity because the club I was thinking of is approved for high calibre rifles and I wonder if you would be allowed to have a go of another members.
4. One poster says constabulary's differ, why is this and why does it take so long to be licensed? I appreciate the safety checks but I am surprised it can be many months. FYI I am in Merseyside.
1. Do I need to be a member of a gun club before applying for my shotgun license? I would expect one of the first questions I'll be asked is "where do you intend to use it", will non membership at local clay pigeon venue suffice or will I need to be a fully accepted member at a gun club?
2. What should I look for when looking to join a gun Club and do I need to hold a shotgun certificate beforehand?
3. Can you use a section 1 firearm on someone else's license, assuming you are in their presence and on their land cleared for that calibre weapon? I am talking about using a rifle for regular target practice, this is just a generic question out of curiosity because the club I was thinking of is approved for high calibre rifles and I wonder if you would be allowed to have a go of another members.
4. One poster says constabulary's differ, why is this and why does it take so long to be licensed? I appreciate the safety checks but I am surprised it can be many months. FYI I am in Merseyside.
You still seem to be confusing shotguns with firearms and the relevant restrictions.
Two simple questions. Which apply?
1 - do you want to apply for a shotgun certificate and buy a shotgun to go clay pigeon shooting with?
2 - do you want to apply for a firearm certificate and buy a rifle to go target shooting with?
Most clubs will only have facilities to shoot clays (with shotguns) OR targets (with rifles). Very few do both, especially at the same location.
So if you want to do both clay and target shooting you MAY have to join two clubs, but if you don't want to own shotguns or rifles you should be able to try both by being a guest or a probationary member.
Two simple questions. Which apply?
1 - do you want to apply for a shotgun certificate and buy a shotgun to go clay pigeon shooting with?
2 - do you want to apply for a firearm certificate and buy a rifle to go target shooting with?
Most clubs will only have facilities to shoot clays (with shotguns) OR targets (with rifles). Very few do both, especially at the same location.
So if you want to do both clay and target shooting you MAY have to join two clubs, but if you don't want to own shotguns or rifles you should be able to try both by being a guest or a probationary member.
Edited by FurtiveFreddy on Thursday 22 June 16:39
1. You don't need to be a member of a club to get a shotgun certificate but you do for an FAC.
For shotguns you don't have to say what you intend with it but it'll help with your FAO visit and yes, "shooting some clays at x club" is a valid answer whether you're a member or not.
2. No you don't but if you're trying to join a gun club rather than clay shooting then you won't be able to get an FAC license before hand anyway.
3. Yes you can, but in their company and supervision only.
4. I'm not sure why they differ but they do. I come under Cheshire but a friend comes under GMP and my waits are usually about half. Suppose it's a matter of population to cover and resource. Note though that some will quote a lot longer than it'll actually take. Again, not sure why. Maybe a 'look at how poor we are from budget cuts' or maybe its to separate the casuals out.
You seem to have some confusion about licensing and how it works so I'll explain.
Shotguns: Very simple, can't be denied without an obvious reason why and they issue you a certificate with a number of 'blank' spaces which you can fill with shotguns at your leisure (as long as they are right for the certificate and you report when you've bought one).
FACs are a little different, you have to apply for each one specifically and state what you want each of them for, before buying.
For shotguns you don't have to say what you intend with it but it'll help with your FAO visit and yes, "shooting some clays at x club" is a valid answer whether you're a member or not.
2. No you don't but if you're trying to join a gun club rather than clay shooting then you won't be able to get an FAC license before hand anyway.
3. Yes you can, but in their company and supervision only.
4. I'm not sure why they differ but they do. I come under Cheshire but a friend comes under GMP and my waits are usually about half. Suppose it's a matter of population to cover and resource. Note though that some will quote a lot longer than it'll actually take. Again, not sure why. Maybe a 'look at how poor we are from budget cuts' or maybe its to separate the casuals out.
You seem to have some confusion about licensing and how it works so I'll explain.
Shotguns: Very simple, can't be denied without an obvious reason why and they issue you a certificate with a number of 'blank' spaces which you can fill with shotguns at your leisure (as long as they are right for the certificate and you report when you've bought one).
FACs are a little different, you have to apply for each one specifically and state what you want each of them for, before buying.
Be very careful about "target practice" on open land. This is often not permitted under the FAC unless expressly stated you may get into very hot water.
Also, I know everyone has to start somewhere but you sound like you know very, very little about the sport and honestly I would advise you get yourself down to your local clay ground and book a good 5-10 hours tuition before you do ANYTHING.
Start with that first.
OR do the same at your local rifle club, if that's your intended route.
Also, I know everyone has to start somewhere but you sound like you know very, very little about the sport and honestly I would advise you get yourself down to your local clay ground and book a good 5-10 hours tuition before you do ANYTHING.
Start with that first.
OR do the same at your local rifle club, if that's your intended route.
simo1863 said:
1. You don't need to be a member of a club to get a shotgun certificate but you do for an FAC.
For shotguns you don't have to say what you intend with it but it'll help with your FAO visit and yes, "shooting some clays at x club" is a valid answer whether you're a member or not.
2. No you don't but if you're trying to join a gun club rather than clay shooting then you won't be able to get an FAC license before hand anyway.
3. Yes you can, but in their company and supervision only.
4. I'm not sure why they differ but they do. I come under Cheshire but a friend comes under GMP and my waits are usually about half. Suppose it's a matter of population to cover and resource. Note though that some will quote a lot longer than it'll actually take. Again, not sure why. Maybe a 'look at how poor we are from budget cuts' or maybe its to separate the casuals out.
Thanks that has answered my questions and makes perfect sense.For shotguns you don't have to say what you intend with it but it'll help with your FAO visit and yes, "shooting some clays at x club" is a valid answer whether you're a member or not.
2. No you don't but if you're trying to join a gun club rather than clay shooting then you won't be able to get an FAC license before hand anyway.
3. Yes you can, but in their company and supervision only.
4. I'm not sure why they differ but they do. I come under Cheshire but a friend comes under GMP and my waits are usually about half. Suppose it's a matter of population to cover and resource. Note though that some will quote a lot longer than it'll actually take. Again, not sure why. Maybe a 'look at how poor we are from budget cuts' or maybe its to separate the casuals out.
As for getting confused about licensing, there is no confusion and I am well versed with firearms but evidently either people aren't reading my posts in full or I have written them poorly.
For the record I have no interest in owning a section 1 firearm, I am merely asking if when in the presence of someone who has one I can have a go even if I don't have a licence.
Thanks.
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