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Guidance on filling out the FCA1 form - Updated |
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Written by Kealan Symes
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Saturday, 08 August 2009 |
This is not the Garda guidelines, it's a quick guide to the FCA1 form (the new firearms application form) which all of us have to fill in now that the new three year licence is being introduced.
As the Commissioner's guidelines have now been released, this guide has been updated to add some of the clarity provided by the guidelines.
First of all things with (M) are mandatory and (C) are conditional. These indications appear to be directed towards An Garda Síochána and so will be ignored unless it has a particular bearing on the applicant.
Section 1:
For most of us this will be a Firearm Certificate and we will all have held a certificate in the previous 3 years. You can enter your cert number in the box provided. For those applying for a training cert, a seperate guide will be provided.
Section 2:
Just enter all your name and address details. You need not enter address details back to when you were an infant.
Section 2.2
Enter the name and address of your GP. If you currently haven't got one, enter the details of the last GP you visited. If you have not got a regular GP, it may be best to detail this on a separate sheet of paper or discuss it with your Superintendent.
Section 2.3
This is conditional in that it doesn't have to be filled if it's a substitution. Remember that this is not references, but referees. That is somebody who knows you and is over 18. Make sure that whoever you put in here is aware of the fact. The guidelines only specify that the referee cannot be someone involved in the licensing system, but a close relative or someone who's known you for at least five years is recommended.
Section 2.4
Previous history is mostly self explanatory. Normal road traffic offences such as parking or speeding (summary convictions) are not considered offences for the purposes of this section. These offences would not ordinarily disentitle you to a firearms certificate under the Act.
Section 2.5
Having held a licence for over 1 year is considered proof of competence according to the guidelines. For new applicants, being a member of a traget shooting club or having held a training certificate is also considered proof of competence.
Section 3
You tick a type and a sub-type. An air rifle is Air Gun/Air Rifle, a .22 target rifle is Rifle/Bolt Action or Rifle/Single Shot. The accessories section is only for those accessories that are considered firearms for the purposes of the Firearms Acts. If you have a sound moderator, you must tick this box. Sights in this instance refers to laser pointing or light intensifying sights, not telescopic or aperture (fixed) sights.
Section 3.3
Source of firearm is only filled out in the event of a substitution or first application.
Section 3.4
This section in the case of a substitution along with Section 3.3.
Section 3.5
The secure accomodation order 2009 (SI 307/2009) is available in our documents section. Bear in mind that these are minimum standards. You may needto read this in conjunction with SI21/2008 and SI337/2009 to ascertain what firearms you own are restricted or unrestricted.
Section 4.1
Note that you can put in your ammunition limit here. Examples of ammunition limits are in the Commissioner's guidelines and state for target shooting, normal limits would be in the range of 750 to 1000, but for those using Air Guns we recommend that you enter 5000 rounds (this is the quantity suipplied in a box) and for those using .22 rimfire rifles and pistols, a limit of 1000. You may choose different limits, but these would be the minimum for those training regularly.
For joint use of a firearm, you can enter the current certificate number of the other user.
Section 4.2
For most NTSA members the choice should be Authorised rifle/pistol club and for target shooting. Your explanation on the type of firearm required obviously involves the specialised nature of our sports and the equipment we use. You may tick more than one box, so if you use your rifle for hunting as well, then you can tick the hunting box also.
Section 4.3
For the present, the name of your club will be sufficient. Pulse ID's will be issuing over time, but it should not delay your application.
Section 4.4
The Training Certificate will be dealt with in a seperate article.
Section 5.1
This is for hunting purposes and in particular Deer hunting.
Section 5.2
Again for a firearm used for hunting and requiring land owner's permission.
The rest of the form is for Garda use only. Remember to provide passport type photographs with each form and any additional information that is required. Photographs of your firearm, details of your club attendance, competition records and results all help to back up your application. Make sure you understand the level of security that is required (the minimum for our equipment is a safe) and give details of that with your application as well.
For those with pistols, it is important to note that air and single shot .22 pistols (for 50m free pistol event) are unrestricted as well as .22 semi-automatic pistols designed for use in the Olympic Games. A list of approved pistols is annexed to the Commissioners Guidelines and would be by and large what is on our list of Standard Pistols. We will be revising that list shortly to incorporate some of the pistols that are in the Annex, but for the moment, there is nothing currently on our list that is not on the guidelines list. It should also be remembered that the list in the guidelines is not exhaustive and the description in the SI is the law.No one has commented on this article. |
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 05 September 2009 )
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Friday, 12 March 2010
