FAC came today

[matt_hooks 188]

If you have a .22lr rifle on ticket then no. I was told by both my RFD AND by the local FEO (the RFD is an ex FEO too!) that I could purchase either on a .22rf slot. Of course, if you have a .22lr on ticket no sensible RFD will sell you .22wmr ammunition.

[HUnter_zero 58]

I was told by both my RFD AND by the local FEO (the RFD is an ex FEO too!) that I could purchase either on a .22rf slot.

 

 

Then they told you wrong! Go to that same RFD and ask him if you could buy some .22WMR ammo (presuming you don't already have a .22WMR and presuming you do have .22rf on your FAC).

 

I think this is the problem that we all have, the FEO has one opinion, the FAC dept has another (If you didn't know, they work separately just interface if you like. For example my force will not grant a .222 for vermin and fox anymore, but they will grant a .308 for vermin, fox and deer. The FEO's have told them this is all wrong but the head of the department who attends meetings with the heads of all other force departments has implemented the rule based on a nation agreement, go figure.).

FEO's are great, and in some cases very informed, however their role is one of investigation and not granting, that job is left to the head of the firearms licensing department and the clerks. For that reason, my advise has always been to contact the office and not the FEO when you have a technical issue to sort out, your example is a prime example of how things can go wrong. Ask your FEO if you can apply for a .22cf and as long as your request seems sensible, I bet he/she will say yes. However when the application is seen by the FAC clerk, proceedings will halt pronto.

I'm not knocking FEO's, they are simply just doing a job and do not in the majority of cases have in-depth knowledge of all firearm related queries, in most cases the FEO will never have been shooting, nor would they want to. A lucky man is a person who has an FEO who is a keen shot, never the less the final decision is down to the licensing office.

 

John

[Deker 3,478]

Guys..we should not be having this debate, it is one of the reasons the Firearms laws need a big overhaul and the regions need to start singing from the same Hymn sheet!

[geordieh 74]

if they put .22rf, then that covers both chamberings.

 

It is for that exact reason the police would never issue a certificate with .22cf.

Calibres are specific, commonly taken a .22rf would grant the authority to purchase .22cap, .22short, .22LR but not .22WMR. There can be no argument that a .22WMR is a rim fire cartridge and has a bullet diameter of .22", however no RFD in their right mind will sell a .22WMR to a certificate holder with the authority to purchase .22LR or .22rf and this is a fact, why? Well because I have tried it and was told by both the RFD & the Police, NO! If anyone has any doubts at all, just go and try to buy .22WMR ammunition for your .22rf / .22LR. (sorry, just read David's post above, and he is 100% correct).

 

John

Hi John

Ihad a spare 22rf slot on my ticket and i bought a 22 wmr and both the gunshop and the firearms dept(Wiltshire) were quite happy about it they both said it is a 22rimfire so no problem

Geordie

[HUnter_zero 58]

Ihad a spare 22rf slot on my ticket and i bought a 22 wmr

 

 

If the FAC dept has agreed to it, then so be it and all will be okay unless anything goes wrong and then the police will squirm like a good'un. A .22rf authority on your certificate is incorrect, calibres need to be specific. Calibre refers to the bullet diameter and cartridge length, for example I can think of ten or so 7mm rifle cartridges two good examples are 7mm & 7mm. I mean 7mm WSM & 7mm Remington magnum or even 7mm ultra mag! WSM, Remington magnum and Ultra mag are the operative words, 7mm being non descriptive at all.

 

As I say, if your local FAC department are happy, then you should be okay in your force area but should you ever cross force areas and get stopped and searched, this is when you will wondered why you bothered.

 

As much as I hate the law makers revisiting the firearms act, I honestly think we need some sort of unification across the board.

 

John

Edited August 31, 2010 by HUnter_zero