Rifles and Firearm Certificates (FAC)

 See Visitors Permits for short term visitors to Britain with a rifle or shotgun.

UK clients do not need to possess their own rifle to take the initial steps into stalking. The Firearms (Amendment) Act, 1988, Section 16 made provision for clients to use estate rifles and ammunition, whilst stalking on our estates with our guides.

If you intend to take up stalking on a regular basis, and gain the deer stalking competency qualifications (DSC), you will probably wish to obtain your own rifle. We can offer you advice on the selection of a suitable, legal rifle, and obtaining your firearm certificate (FAC).

A good reference point on the internet for FAC information is the Metropolitan Police web site at the Metropolitan Police Firearm units web pages.

The first step, is to complete the prescribed Form 101, which can normally be obtained from your local police station. When completed it must be returned to the Chief Officer of Police for the area in which you reside. The fee for the grant of a FAC is £50 at 1 Jan 2001

The form is not difficult to complete, but you should read the guidance notes, before attempting to complete. This section of the Metropolitan Police site gives extra guidance on completing this forms questions.

Your FAC only allows you to possess those weapons which have been authorised by the police, and it will only allow you to use those weapons for a specific purpose, and on occasions, at a specific place.

Before issuing a firearm certificate, the Chief Officer of Police must be satisfied that you can be permitted to have firearms and ammunition in your possession without danger to public safety or to the peace.

You will have limited flexibility in the weapons that you can hold, and your Police force will require you to have a good reason for each and every weapon that you request.

Firstly, the firearms requested must be suitable for culling deer.

 In England and Wales rifles must be at least .240 inches in calibre. The bullet  must be expanding/hollow nosed with a muzzle energy of at least 1,700 ft/lbs.

In Scotland,

• for Roe deer .22 centre fire rifles (.222 22-250), which are not to be confused with the 0.22 rim fire, may be used providing a bullet of at least 50 grains expanding load is used, thus developing a minimum muzzle velocity of 1700 ft/lbs.

• For other species of deer the rifle must be at least .240 inches in calibre. The bullet must be expanding/hollow nosed with a muzzle energy of at least 1,700 ft/lbs and a muzzle velocity of at least 2,450 ft/sec.

A recent change in policy by the firearms administration offices is the granting of applications for sound moderators (silencers) to be fitted to full bore rifles. This follows concern from the point of view of hearing protection of the person shooting the rifle and others who may be in close proximity.

It is to be noted that a silencer of any description requires entry and calibre details on the firearms certificate and it must be authorised by the applicants licensing departments.
Suitable moderators are available from our outfitting suppliers and can be ordered from our office.

 It is important to remember that firearm certificate holders requiring expanding ammunition for vermin control must ensure that they request this authority to be on their certificate. Registered Firearms Dealers (RFD's) will not sell you expanding ammunition unless your certificate authorises this. Most forces now endorse certificates authorised for deer to that effect.

The second important point is the suitability of the land, which must be safe for the use of the calibre of the weapon in question. Initially land is deemed suitable, or not, by the Chief Officer of Police. This necessitates a land inspection by a Firearms Enquiry Officer, in conjunction with the land owner or his agent. Many and various factors must be taken into consideration including the acreage, position of public footpaths, surrounding roads and dwellings and the general lay of the land. The land owner, or his agent, must also give written permission for the firearms requested to be used on his land for the purpose stated and said permit must be carried at all times when on the property with an authorised firearm.

When all these points are satisfied, a firearm certificate may be granted, authorising specific weapon(s) and ammunition for use on any land deemed suitable by the Chief Officer of Police. In the case of a grant for the first time, a limited condition may be entered. That is to say that the actual address or location of the land or area in question may appear on the certificate, plus "any other land deemed suitable by the Chief Officer of Police".

A less restrictive condition, in line with Home Office guidance, is not generally considered until the first renewal of a firearm certificate, or after a period has elapsed, and the holder has proved himself to be a safe and competent shooter. Nevertheless he should still ensure that the land has been passed as safe for that calibre weapon by local Police. He must also have written permission of the land owner, agent or other person holding the shooting rights.

Please contact us if any points need further clarification or you have any problems in Firearm Certificate applications.