Waiting 8 months

wirehairmax

I've just about given up on waiting on licences to replace stolen guns. Broken into last february and shotgun and two rifles all stolen. All were stored securely in a proper safe, bolted to wall etc. Everything good as far as FO concerned. Reapplied for a shotgun in April. Was told I'd be visited by a Crime prevention Officer. Anyway he came out and told me that a monitered alarm needed, he wanted the safe put in the attic and other locks around the house changed. I told him no way I was putting the safe in the attic so we compromised on another location. I questioned him about the monitered alarm and its legal requirement etc for the amount of guns I intended to keep. Got the feeling he wouldnt approve me for new licences so I let it go and said yeah ok. Anyway I did what he asked and I went off and applied for a .243 to replace the one stolen. Into July now. House was reinspected by CPO and he told me he was happy enough. By now there were 2 applications in the system or so I thought. Got .243 application returned to me from Gardai in september wanting to know why I wanted 5 guns? and what my security arrangements were. They hadnt even looked and seen my previous guns were stolen. Also wanted a new deer permit and NARGC card because last years had expired by the time they had got around to looking at my application. Getting pissed off now so wrote back to them with all the information they hadnt bothered to look for and also told them to contact the CPO. No mention of shotgun which was applied for in April.
In the meantime I was informed my 2 rifles were recovered in a raid in Dublin and were being held as evidence. 2 weeks later I was told my shotgun was recovered seperately but had been cut up. I wrote to Garda to make them aware I would be seeking returning of all guns regardless of condition and I would decide their fate after I had a gunsmith examine them and AGS were not to dispose of them.
Into mid October now and still no licences so I went into station and demanded to see the Super. After explaining my business in the public lobby in front of half the town to a Guard at the reception I waited 10-15 minutes to be told that the Super wouldnt see me and that the applications had left her desk that morning and that there was nothing more she could do for me. Got a letter on Monday dated 8/10/2012 saying my application for the shotgun had been received and was being considered and I should have a decision by January!!!!!!!!
So mad now, really considering a solicitor even though I despise them but it might light a fire under the Guards.
Bit of a rant here but so mad now.

Cass

wirehairmax wrote: »

...........Anyway he came out and told me that a monitered alarm needed, ............. I questioned him about the monitered alarm and its legal requirement etc for the amount of guns I intended to keep ...........

This is the kicker that is the law. The legal requirement is whatever the Super/FO/CPO deem necessary. Meaning if you only have one shotgun they can demand a safe, monitored alarm, sharks with lasers on their heads, and if you don't meet those requirements they can refuse the license.

The security levels we read about are minimum standards. Meaning any level above this can be demanded. So claiming that the level of security the CPO demands is not appropriate is not going to hold i'm afraid.

You can discuss the level of security with him, but with the house having been broken into they will feel the need to go "overboard" to prevent another incident.

Got .243 application returned to me from Gardai in september wanting to know why I wanted 5 guns?

I won't go into detail but only recently i spent some time speaking with my FO, and trying to sort out my own licenses. There were 3 more down to my name than i owned. They were y guns at some point, but the last one i had not owned for 2 years. Point being the PULSE system is not nearly up to scratch. So i understand your annoyance.

In the meantime I was informed my 2 rifles were recovered in a raid in Dublin and were being held as evidence. 2 weeks later I was told my shotgun was recovered seperately but had been cut up. I wrote to Garda to make them aware I would be seeking returning of all guns regardless of condition and I would decide their fate after I had a gunsmith examine them and AGS were not to dispose of them.

That is something i suppose. Maybe if the other two are not damaged it might save you a few quid, but the problem will be the timeline in getting them back.

Got a letter on Monday dated 8/10/2012 saying my application for the shotgun had been received and was being considered and I should have a decision by January!!!!!!!!

Don't mind the receipt letter. In most occasions it's a prelude to the actual grant letter coming. I'd wager within a week or two you should have a grant letter. If after 2 weeks you have not then i was mistaken, but this is how it has always gone for me. Receipt, and then within 2 weeks either the license or grant letter in the door. So don't loose hope yet.

So mad now, really considering a solicitor even though I despise them but it might light a fire under the Guards.

I would advise against the solicitor. I fully understand, and appreciate your situation. However going down this route, at this point, might be "overkill". Give it a couple of weeks.

juice1304

I would wait for a refusal before going near a solicitor otherwise he could just say no. If you meet the security requirements and you have to bring him to court i would imagine you will get you licences. You have proven yourself trustworthy and you had a safe so it's not really your fault.

Just out of curiosity how did they get your firearms?
Did they take the safe off the wall or pry open the door?
And what kind of safe was it?
Did they have much time to attack the safe?
Were you targeted for friearms or was it just a case of they saw the safe while robbing the house?

wirehairmax

juice1304 wrote: »

I would wait for a refusal before going near a solicitor otherwise he could just say no. If you meet the security requirements and you have to bring him to court i would imagine you will get you licences. You have proven yourself trustworthy and you had a safe so it's not really your fault.

Just out of curiosity how did they get your firearms?
Did they take the safe off the wall or pry open the door?
And what kind of safe was it?
Did they have much time to attack the safe?
Were you targeted for friearms or was it just a case of they saw the safe while robbing the house?

Used a bar to prise open the door. They came prepared. When you think about it there is not much actually to these safes. 2.5mm tin folded? The trick is to not give them any leverage room. Mine was in the corner of a room but the locking side was exposed. It was a ''Vogue'' 5 gun safe. 5 rolling bolts locking system.
They had plenty of time as they werent spotted until they were driving away.
I'm of the belief that I was targeted. I was the only house on our road robbed that day and I would be the only one that would have a few guns. These guys are getting their information from somewhere and I've made my feelings known to the guards. The pricks that robbed my house are serious criminals with hundreds of convictions and links to other serious criminals. I have found out too that one of them is known to deal in firearms.

juice1304

Thanks, That is very interesting.
My missus has one of those safes too, I think she will be getting a new one for crimbo.:) It's a bit worrying that they were prepared :eek: At least they found your guns, I hope you will get them back soon. Did they get convicted for your firearms?

Tommy87

First of all, sorry to hear your bad news, I hate hearing stories like this. I can't imagine what you've been through. I couldnt bare knowing someone has been through my house!

Now my question

---

So you had 3 guns stolen, let's say you replaced 2 and get your licences back no problem. so now you have two guns. What happens when, let's say in a years time, Your 3 stolen guns are recovered by the gardai. Are you entitled to get them straight back?? Or is it a case when your guns are stolen they cancel your licence and if they are recovered at a later date you have to apply again?? And then it's harder because you would have 5 guns??

LIFFY FISHING

Slightly off track, anyone know if or where you could insure firearms ?

zeissman

LIFFY FISHING wrote: »

Slightly off track, anyone know if or where you could insure firearms ?

Check with your home insurance company as they may already be covered in your policy under contents.
If not they will usually add them to it for a fee.

Half-cocked

LIFFY FISHING wrote: »

Slightly off track, anyone know if or where you could insure firearms ?

Got mine added to my household policy for a few quid extra.