FEO

[Evolve82]

So, put in for my SGC a few months ago and got a visit from the FEO next week.

Any ideas about what he will ask? What should I get clued up on before hand?

Safe is in and secure- just the 'interview' bit I am slightly concerned about!

 

[Salopian]

Nothing at all to worry about.

Can you make Tea? Do you have Hobnobs? Why do you want a shotgun? To shoot at clays!

 

[DAVE_B]

As has been said, nothing to lose sleep about.

Questions will also gauge you awareness of safety with the gun and around people. The FEO may ask about effective range of a shotgun, I.e. from a safe distance to be away from a firing gun (300yds ish). Unlikely to be anything more technical.

And Tea and Hobnobs are a must!

 

[Maxum]

Just relax and be sensible. No smart arse answers to questions just be normal. They will be looking for a person with a good safe knowledge of shotguns and their use.

 

[** Pending Removal **]

There should be no questions to answer relating to your skills or your knowledge (that you would have to pass like in an exam).

If you are a normal person without convictions you have a right to have a licence.

He is only coming to look at your safe. You do not have to give any other specific details unless you want to......(eg you do not have to give clubs you shoot at, you do not have to prove safety or that you have had lessons). That sort of thing is not in their remit.

Just be polite, show the cabinet and let him go. No need for tea or biscuits, because you are then in prolonged discussion. The tea and biscuits can be given at renewals when you already have a licence.

My advice for a first timer......least said soonest mended......get him in and out (politely) as soon as you can.

 

[Chris Reedy]

I had my visit not to long away and was wondering the same thing.

FEO arrived sat down at table went through the form I had filled in, checked safe, left me a hand book with general safety things in and left.

Final thing he said was you should have your ticket in less that 3 weeks..

Nothing at all to worry about

 

[Westward]

I agree with Nicola that they have no remit to check anything other than safe storage and generally speaking the less information you volunteer the better, but play it by ear. Some of them shoot too and may even be fairly friendly but mostly they're just there on business. You might get one of the insecure patronising types but don't bite, just let him/her score their points and leave with their false sense of superiority intact. They're the one with no mates, not you.

 

[** Pending Removal **]

I agree with Nicola that they have no remit to check anything other than safe storage and generally speaking the less information you volunteer the better, but play it by ear. Some of them shoot too and may even be fairly friendly but mostly they're just there on business. You might get one of the insecure patronising types but don't bite, just let him/her score their points and leave with their false sense of superiority intact. They're the one with no mates, not you.

Totally agree. Most are nice but there is a growing new breed out there. Keep polite nod and smile and walk them directly to the front door after they have seen your cabinet.

 

[PeteC]

The guy that came to see me from Derbyshire a couple of months ago was great.  He had nothing to prove, just looked at my cabinet, didn't ask to see in it or anything about the keys. He then ran through the certificate and what I should do and not do with it. Certificate arrived a week later.  I had more questions for him than he had for me. He was one of the old school though, he told me he would be retiring in a couple of years.

 

[SteveK]

The guy that came to see me from Derbyshire a couple of months ago was great.  He had nothing to prove, just looked at my cabinet, didn't ask to see in it or anything about the keys. He then ran through the certificate and what I should do and not do with it. Certificate arrived a week later.  I had more questions for him than he had for me. He was one of the old school though, he told me he would be retiring in a couple of years.

We had our FEO visit from Lincolnshire Police a couple of weeks ago and I can only agree with the above comment. Our FEO was a really nice chap and we really didn't have anything worry about. We are still awaiting our paperwork though.

PS Coffee/tea is an essential requirement, Hobnobs will certainly help :wink:

 

[Angelfire]

Oh how I laughed at some of he posts, my sides are sore. My FO from the cop shop was a fellow shooter, so no need to pull the wool over his eyes, he used to ring up and make an appointment, "for about 10 mins" duration. Doubtful he ever left our house before 2 hours were up, fed on bisquits, tea, coffee and the usual "small" glass of Malt.

The bugger caught me out once tho, I had 5 FB rifles and 4 shot guns in my safe. He asked me where I stored my shells for the rifles, as there was no room in the safe for the ammount I could hold. I had to buy a smallish pistol safe just to keep my rifle ammo in, maybe I should have given him a couple of malts?. Who knows.

Phil*

 

[Lock Stock & Barrel]

Expect questions about your general level of home security - e.g. do you have monitored alarm, outside lights, locking windows on your double glazing etc. Is your wife/partner going to be a co-owner of the guns with her own license - if so she'll need access to the gun safe etc.

Good luck.

 

[teepee1234]

Mine gave me advice on house security too - front door locks with a key, windows lock etc.  (I stress the word "advice")

 

[teepee1234]

oops, posted at the same time as Lock Stock!

 

[RichW1234]

Yes, very straight forward and nothing to worry about. I had my renewal at the beginning of the year and they checked my guns against my certificate, asked if my marital situation was still the same and whether any medical issues. More questions on renewal than when I first applied years ago but still very quick and painless!!

 

[Evolve82]

All went well. Just have to wait now for it to be signed off and posted to me.

Called the office yesterday and they said to call back in the new year. It could take 12 weeks to print it, sign it them put it in the post!!!!!

The waiting continues...

 

[squimp]

Make sure your wife/partner doesn't admit to knowing (!) where you keep the key to your gunsafe. 

 

[Skeet UK]

Make sure your wife/partner doesn't admit to knowing (!) where you keep the key to your gunsafe. 

Or the key, to the safe you keep the keys in.