Applying For Shotgun Licence

[Welsh_red 4,644]

I don't come on here often the reason that soon as some one puts something all the dick heads jump on to rip it to bits so I thought here another one I understand now [bANNED TEXT] I should of done I was just looking if some one had done the same as me and the end result

Could phone the fire arms officer and see whats likely to happen

[SportingShooter 0]

When you say you're waiting to go to court, have you been arrested/interviewed/charged or summonsed to court?

 

Or has none of that happened yet.

[nuggett 58]

Yea I was interviewed and told them my reason and then had a letter saying to attend court spoke to the fire arms officer and he said id of had no problem if I'd put them convictions in but if I get found guilty il probably get refused

[Welsh_red 4,644]

Sounds like you will have to plead ignorance which they will absolutely hate and refuse you for . When the fire arms officer came round mine and sat at my dinner table and got his paperwork out and was ready to start he said to me " right , do you have and criminal convictions " I replied yes , he then said " ok your in serious trouble here hecause you haven't put any down on your application " I told him I had and turns out he was looking at the wrong application in front of him . But from his response I don't think they take to well to people not declaring them .

 

I'm no expert but I think you won't get a license because I can't see any angle you can go from here that will work to your advantage . Plead ignorance " I thought you didn't have to , my friend told me " they will say it says it plain as day on your form .

 

They treat shotgun licenses like their giving you the keys to their wife's chastity belt and and if they even have a hint you have tried lying at any point they will not take any chances and refuse you . That's just my opinion tho , unless you can provide a shit hot answer to why u didn't put it on there I think your screwed .

 

I would also chin the bellends who gave h shit advice . Hate people like that , speak with such confidence you assume their telling you gospel truth but really just want to seem like know it alls

[Deker 3,478]

The logical (if expensive) route is get Professional advise (solicitor).

 

I suspect you will now have a problem getting a SGC whatever the outcome!

[walshie 2,804]

I'd be interested to hear the outcome of this. I've heard of people being told off for not declaring convictions and I've heard of people being refused for the same reason, but I've not heard of anyone being taken to court for it.

[Torquemada 288]

For you to get prosecuted seems harsh.

Edited January 28, 2016 by Torquemada

[nuggett 58]

I thought that was harsh to be honest the conviction were a long time ago the more serious one that me and my mate were involved in he applied after that and was given his licence it's my fault I know but to be dragged through court I thought was bolloxs considering the crime that goes on around here if I'd been caught with dozen cannabis plants or bags of weed id of had smack on the wrist

[nuggett 58]

I debating weather to say f**k the licence and not bother losing day wage to turn up

[sussex 5,777]

I debating weather to say f**k the licence and not bother losing day wage to turn up

If they have told you to appear in court they must have charged you , in which case it's not optional and not attending will just throw fuel on the fire ..better to go , make the best of a shit job , give it a few months and re apply ..good luck with it ..

[SportingShooter 0]

Indeed, if you've been summonsed or charged to court, then you must appear or risk a warrant being issued by the court for your arrest.

 

That would definitely put paid to any certificate.

[Alsone 789]

Unless you're in a shooting organisation and have insurance, in which case they may defend you, (depends on the terms of the insurance - you were at fault here), you're only choice is to get a Solicitor, this side of defending yourself which isn't advisable. There may be a Duty Solicitor at Court but given the specialist nature of licensing, I'd advise getting your own specialist as they probably have little knowledge in this area. You'll want a Firearms Law Specialist of which I'd say there aren't many.

 

You could ask a Shooting Organisation for a list of firms as I don't believe Firearms Law is listed as a practice area in the Law Societies Search Database. The Law Society may be able to help you over the phone to find one, if not.

 

However, you are between the devil and the deep blue sea here. If you don't defend it, you will get another conviction and who knows what penalty. If you employ a Solicitor, and it goes all the way to Court, then it's going to get expensive / very expensive depending on which Court it's in. If it's in Crown Court, and the Solicitor doesn't have higher rights of audience, then you'll probably need a barrister as well. This could get very expensive very quickly. My feeling is you need specialist advice and assistance to see if someone can get the Police to back to down over this.

Edited January 28, 2016 by Alsone

[nuggett 58]

I'm not wasting money on barristers that's for sure il just say [BANNED TEXT] happen and take [BANNED TEXT] they give I made a mistake and I've payed to apply and losing a day wage plus the fine il probably have that's enough money wasted I think

[Welsh_red 4,644]

Just throw yourself at their mercy , explain what happened and say how thoroughly disappointed you are in yourself for not checking and taking the word of a friend you trusted and getting it wrong , the consequences of which are you losing your application free , days wages and the possibility o having a shotgun license and the possibility to join in your friends and family on their days out pheasant shooting etc . Don't get into slagging your friebd off for duff advice because they won't care. End of the day act grown up and hold your hands up to it . Maybe they will decide you've been punished enough

 

Still can't see why their taking you to court tho , seems ultra harsh

[Alsone 789]

Just looked it up on here (s.7(2)):

 

http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/d_to_g/firearms/#a25

 

It looks like it's a summary offence (Magistrates Court), so you won't need a Barrister.

 

Max Penalty is up to 6 months prison and / or £5,000 fine. Note that's the max, not necessarily what you'll get.