Anyone want to share a Shotgun course?

CountingDown · Post by **CountingDown** » 11 Aug 2011, 13:42

Looking at getting my Shotgun license (for clay pigeon shooting), and have found this nice looking place in Manchester -
http://www.manchesterclayshooting.com/

They do a 5-lesson intro , taking you up to getting your Shotgun certificate - http://www.manchesterclayshooting.com/b ... inners.htm

it's £350 for one person (5 x 1 hour lessons)
and only £425 for a "couple" (6x1.5 hr lessons)

Can't see my wife being interested, so was wondering if anyone fancied having a go?

Kentucky Fried Panda · Post by **Kentucky Fried Panda** » 11 Aug 2011, 16:23

There is no requirement to do the course to apply for your certificate y'know.

Unlike firearms, TPTB must provide reason why you can't have a shotgun. Having a reason is nice, but the onus is on the law to provide reasons for not granting you the SGC.

Bolt a safe onto your wall, apply, have the home visit and I bet you get the cert within 2 weeks. The GMP folks are really quick.

Good luck.

P.S, this was really a long winded way of saying no thanks.

CountingDown · Post by **CountingDown** » 11 Aug 2011, 16:36

So I could buy the safe, fit it, apply, get the licence and then get one (no training required?). That's a pretty scary prospect!

I thought you had to have a really strong justification.

lancasterlad · Post by **lancasterlad** » 11 Aug 2011, 17:54

A relative of mine has had a licence for the last ten years and he didn't even have a gun! Not much of a justification there.

Kentucky Fried Panda · Post by **Kentucky Fried Panda** » 12 Aug 2011, 01:03

andrew-l wrote:So I could buy the safe, fit it, apply, get the licence and then get one (no training required?). That's a pretty scary prospect!

I thought you had to have a really strong justification.

You're a person of good character with a clean record, why shouldn't you have a sporting shotgun?

You need reasons to own firearms, FAC, 2 referees, club membership. Good clubs have safety courses and such, usually included in your fees, £50 a year or so.

To own a shotgun, 1 referee, no club membership is required. I mean it's good if you've been on a safety course or something like that and joining a club is an excellent social outlet. Not really a legal requirement though.

Have a look at the application, no section for reason to own.

http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/news_ ... fir103.pdf

Now compare that to the firearm application form, section 19 of the form in particular.

http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/news_ ... ir101a.pdf

The GMP firearms team are good folk, phone them up and ask them to send you the application forms with the notes about security. But as I said before, bolt in a safe, you only need one for shotgun as there's actually no legal requirement for locked storage of shotgun ammo. It's best to have a locked box for your own piece of mind tho... Bear in mind that the best shotgun ammo deals are when you buy in units of a 1000, max you can own is based on the amount of powder, it's thousands though so don't worry.

HTH

Kentucky Fried Panda · Post by **Kentucky Fried Panda** » 12 Aug 2011, 01:18

lancasterlad wrote:A relative of mine has had a licence for the last ten years and he didn't even have a gun! Not much of a justification there.

It's not a license, more a certificate granting you the right to acquire.
You need the certificate to buy shotgun ammo, so maybe he buys his own ammo but uses a friend's or a club's shotgun. You can borrow section 2 shotguns for a weekend or so and it's still legal, as long as you have the certificate.

UK firearms law is very long winded, but I'm getting the hang of it.

lancasterlad · Post by **lancasterlad** » 12 Aug 2011, 05:47

Kentucky Fried Panda wrote:
lancasterlad wrote:A relative of mine has had a licence for the last ten years and he didn't even have a gun! Not much of a justification there.
... so maybe he buys his own ammo but uses a friend's or a club's shotgun.

He didn't own a gun or even shoot. It illustrates your point that they have to find reasons for not issuing the certificate. He just wanted to maintain having a certificate in case he wanted to get a gun.

Kentucky Fried Panda · Post by **Kentucky Fried Panda** » 12 Aug 2011, 11:15

Considering that the certificates are renewed at 5 year intervals seems his local police don't have a problem with the situation.

Post by **adam2** » 23 Sep 2011, 11:30

andrew-l wrote:So I could buy the safe, fit it, apply, get the licence and then get one (no training required?). That's a pretty scary prospect!

I thought you had to have a really strong justification.

Training is a good idea for your own safety and that of others, but as pointed out it is not a requirement for obtaining a shotgun certificate.

Many people who dont own a shotgun still have a certificate, in order that they may lawfully borrow a gun, or purchase one at short notice.