Applying for your first FAC

Are you looking to apply for a firearms certificate in England and Wales for the purpose of target shooting? 

You'll need to be at least a probationary member of a Home Office approved rifle club before you apply. At the time of writing the cost is £88.00 - Firearm certificate grant or £90.00  or Shotgun and Firearm certificate grant (worth considering, if you are very likely to want to do some clay shooting) ,  although we  understand the fees are currently under review.

Here is a breakdown of the steps involved:

1. Obtain a Firearms Certificate Application Form, links for the form can be found here; FAC Application Form. However many Police Constabularies now operate an online application, so you will  need to check your local Polices firearms licensing department website.

2. Obtain a Medical Report from your GP - As an example, here is a link to the  Medical form Devon and Cornwall  require your GP complete.  GPs will charge anything from nothing to £500 to complete a medical report  or they may even decline to be in involved in the process altogether.  If your GP is expensive, slow  or unwilling etc an alternative to this o type f service (Medcert or Firearms medical reports ) to produce your medical report at a cost of £60 and they will usually take less than 10 working days.

3. Complete the Application form and provide 1 passport photograph, 2 referees (who know you for at least two years for a firearm, pay the fee And also be able  to prove to the chief officer of police that you’re allowed to have a firearms certificate and pose no danger to public safety or to the peace.

4. Wait for checks: The police will carry out various checks, including a background check, contactting your referees an interview, and a visit to your home to ensure that you have adequate security measures in place (if your planning storing your firearms at home and not at your club). They may  also contact your GP to check your medical report is correct.

5. Wait for a decision: Once your application has been submitted, it may take up to 2-3 years  to receive a decision on your application depending on which Police Constabuary you fall under.

Some police areas are experiencing considerable delays in processing applications. This can be frustrating, particularly if you are keen to start shooting  using your own equipment as soon as possible. The reasons for these delays include:

• Shortage of resources within some police areas due to budget cuts and increasing demands on police time.

• Inconsistency in the way that applications are handled across different police areas.

Here are some steps that can help speed up the process:

• Ensure that your application is complete and accurate. Any errors or omissions can cause delays and may even result in your application being rejected.

• Be patient and understanding, even if the process takes longer than you had hoped.

• Remember that the police are responsible for ensuring that firearms are only in the hands of responsible and law-abiding citizens. They take this responsibility very seriously.

While the process of applying for a firearms certificate in England and Wales can be frustrating, it is important to remember that it is a necessary step in ensuring public safety and the last thing anybody in the target shooting community wants is unsuitable people getting hold of firearms,  By following the correct procedures and being patient, we can all play our part in ensuring that firearms are only used in a safe and responsible manner.