Pistol refusual?

[Guest Leveller]

I've just got off the phone to fao and they've refused me a .22 pistol on the grounds that it's a prohibited weapon thye've said I can have a 410 short but not a .22 pistol.

 

Are they right? should I call upon the powers at BASC to help me out or should I think myself lucky enough to have the 410 short and an open ticket?

[donnyc 1,203]

Get in touch with BASC mate .I have a .410 pistol and to be honest I wouldnt change it for a .22 .Mate has just got a .22 so they are just being funny plenty of grounds for owning either...good luck

[donnyc 1,203]

Dont think the record part counts much though Bit short tempered at times and its cost me over the years ..My FAO is sometimes a twat he will argue black is white .I wanted a .410 so I asked for a .22 knowing what way he would go I ended up with what I wanted and prefered.BASC NOW.

[Guest Leveller]

I've spoken to BASC and the option is there for me to write to the head of the firearms issuing dept and explain that there are times when I will only be able to use a gun with one hand etc: but to be honest with you I can't be arsed at this precise moment in time. I'm going to go through with the application as it stands and will feel a lot better once I have the certificate in my hand maybe at a later date I will attempt to change it. Apparantly because the arsepca use a .32 to shoot everything this is the precedent and a .22 is deemed a really scarey bit of kit the .410 will certainly do for now there's no doubt about that anyhow.

[Guest Leveller]

Does anybody know whether the very fact that they are asking me about the gun means that they are satisfied with everything else ie, doctor, criminal, history etc: ? or is the weapon the first part of the application that they go through?

[Matt 160]

Years ago (pre Dunblane) I applied for a .22 pistol specifically for foxes. I was refused because the home office guidance (at the time) stated that only those in hunt service, or who where employed as gamekeepers could have one. As a full time pest controller, I was not allowed . I got around it by applying for a .22 'slaughtering instrument', which I still have today, along with a .32, and a .38.

 

The .22 is the tool to have; its safer, and there is a legal precident set for it. When I worked for MAFF, it was the tool of choice, and had parlimentry approval for the dispatch of foxes and badgers. It is also the most common calibre in use by hunt servants. Mine was most recently used yesterday to dispatch a calf. At the time, I thought about the old ministry days, and the fact that we used sound moderators to prevent damage to our hearing, and reduce the local disturbance; I may well get a variation for one when my ticket comes up for renewal.

 

The problem these days is that these weapons are classified as 'section 5 firearms', and as such are even more tightly controlled. My advice is to a) show that there is a reasonable justification for it, and show that you have carefully thought out and researched the choice of calibre. I would not recommend the .410 for shooting foxes underground because of the increased risk of richochet (most have little or no choke). The .22, if correctly placed, should stay within the carcase of the animal, and therefore poses a smaller risk to the user and those around him/her.

[Deker 3,478]

Years ago (pre Dunblane) I applied for a .22 pistol specifically for foxes. I was refused because the home office guidance (at the time) stated that only those in hunt service, or who where employed as gamekeepers could have one. As a full time pest controller, I was not allowed . I got around it by applying for a .22 'slaughtering instrument', which I still have today, along with a .32, and a .38.

 

The .22 is the tool to have; its safer, and there is a legal precident set for it. When I worked for MAFF, it was the tool of choice, and had parlimentry approval for the dispatch of foxes and badgers. It is also the most common calibre in use by hunt servants. Mine was most recently used yesterday to dispatch a calf. At the time, I thought about the old ministry days, and the fact that we used sound moderators to prevent damage to our hearing, and reduce the local disturbance; I may well get a variation for one when my ticket comes up for renewal.

 

The problem these days is that these weapons are classified as 'section 5 firearms', and as such are even more tightly controlled. My advice is to a) show that there is a reasonable justification for it, and show that you have carefully thought out and researched the choice of calibre. I would not recommend the .410 for shooting foxes underground because of the increased risk of richochet (most have little or no choke). The .22, if correctly placed, should stay within the carcase of the animal, and therefore poses a smaller risk to the user and those around him/her.

 

 

The .22LR Pistol is a deadly and much underated tool, since the changes in the Deer Act Last year it is also perfectly acceptable to us it for Humane despatch of deer as well (lots of ammo choice for each job too)!

 

With regard the original question from Leveller, put the right case and you will get one (medical and police records permitting)..you will need to show appropriate reason as Matt has said!!

[Guest Leveller]

That's the thing at present I'm just pending medical and criminal checks I submitted my application with a letter from one of our masters stating where and why I needed a pistol so as far as I was concerned that filled the exemption once I actually have been granted a shotgun/fac then I will kick up more of a fuss BASC have been very helpful but for now I just want to hold a licence.

[Matt 160]

They are less likely to issue a section 5 if you have no firearm certificate history.

 

It may be better to get 6 months with a rimfire rifle under your belt first, then re-apply for a slaughter instrument, ir if the hunt already have a gun, you could go for a 'joint' certificate, and let them continue to store the gun and ammo when not in use.

 

I wouldn't go in 'all guns blazing' (sorry for the pun) straight off; you'd be better off negotiating with them at this stage, than possibly loosing an apeal, and alienating your FEO.

[Guest Leveller]

Yes that's what I've done mate, I thought exactly the same thing. I'm going for a .410 pistol on an open ticket for now and like I said once I've got that I will go from there.

[wink hound 0]

its all about wording i think mate, i have 2 .22 pistols and a .32 pistol ,except in there eyes and on my fAL they are called humane killers, same thing same job, but its whats in there guidlines. either way a 410 will shot everything you want to shoot, maybe with a bit more mess, but they have there advantandges, i like to carry a .22 and a 410