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Why I've given up shooting...

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Lord Shagg-Pyle:

--- Quote from: diggerdog36 on January 19, 2009, 22:36:12 ---
--- Quote from: Disco Matt on January 18, 2009, 23:26:48 ---It sounds as though an interview should be added to the licence application process in order to weed these morons out (if there isn't one already).
--- End quote ---

There is a kind of interview for the FAC process.  But its only to check you have a bit of savvy with firearms.  Mine, all the enquiry officer asked me was how would I tell the difference between 20g and 12g cartridges!! It was a joke!!

I was a gamekeeper for 5 years, and twice there were poachers, once I walked out the trees and there was a lad in an Astra with his .22RF out the window after our Pheasants, his aim was right at me, but he was zoomed so far in at his target he couldnt see me in his sight picture!!  I nearly poo'd myself when he pulled the trigger, I shouted, his mate floored it and they were never seen again,  I took the reg number, phoned the police and they didnt seem interested, even though they were shooting from a public road towards me!!

--- End quote ---

Unfortunately, poaching and other rural crime is not seen as a Major Impact Crime by the vast majority of Police Forces. You need to ask for your force wildlife crime officer and don't give up until you get hold of them.
The problem is that the calls about this sort of crime has to get past the call takers (usually civvies, with no Police experience), then to the crime bureau (more civvies) then to Sector level where most officers don't have a clue about rural related crime. That is not meant to be derogatory to them, but they don't get taught the law on these offences, therefore don't know what to do when asked to deal with.
Prior to my transfer 'Dahn Sarf', I was a rural cop for a number of years. It took me ages to build up contacts and trust in the rural community, but the benefits were amazing.
I had numerous succesful prosecutions against illegal coursers and poachers, which involved seizure and destruction of their vehicles and guns.
All I would say is that if you know of poachers or anyone acting in a dangerous manner, report it. The more reports that go in, means that it can't be ignored.
There will always be somebody out there who is interested in what you have to say, you just have to find them.

hrh_dave:
Just to clear up a few myths and legends.......

FAC Requirements - 2 References from people that you have known for over 2 years and preferably shot with or are aware of your attitude towards guns.

Shotgun is one reference from a JP, Doctor, Lawyer or person of equal standing (which can also include company directors) that you have known personally for at least 2 years.

Then you have your chat with either your firearms officer or up in scotland we have civvies doing the enquires now.

As for the land thing..... Well they like to see that you have got permission to shoot over ground but as we have found out up here putting down on the form "Any land on which I have gained permission to shoot over" as the number of people that hold firearms and only every buy stalking days etc is growing, the firearms licensing departments are having to accept this.

Red Defender:
i had to supply 2 references for my shotgun renewal ? :-o

Range Rover Blues:
I've got to do that for my student loan :-.

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