Usual Waiting Time...Dublin North?

goz83

Anyone know how long it usually takes to get licenses through my area? I'm in Dublin North. FCA1 went in 15 days ago. I know it can be 3 months and more, but if there is a "usual" waiting period in a district, I can follow up on it if the time exceeds that. Keen to get going.

Luckysasha

Have you started shooting at courtlough yet or are you waiting until your license comes through. Just wondering what the facilities are like and if your hooked on shooting yet !!

dodderangler

goz83 wrote: »

Anyone know how long it usually takes to get licenses through my area? I'm in Dublin North. FCA1 went in 15 days ago. I know it can be 3 months and more, but if there is a "usual" waiting period in a district, I can follow up on it if the time exceeds that. Keen to get going.

10weeks

cookimonster

Give us a clue as to which district in Dublin North.
Recent changes of FO in Coolock area has seen some serious waiting times compared to the previous occupant of the job. I've had new licenses issued quicker than the latest renewals are been processed.

There's lads out there with unlicensed firearms as renewals are not being processed in the three months period.

Your waiting for a new licence while I'm hoping my exsisting ones will just be renewed on time.

rsole1

amadablam wrote: »

Unfortunately it can be a lot longer than three months too. The clock starts ticking after you get your letter of acknowledgment and they are supposed to have a decision within three months. No harm in giving them a call after few weeks to make sure that it's being processed. Usually doesn't expedite things bit at least you will know that it's in the system.

A friend bought a rifle and put in a substitution on 14th December 2015, like for like, 22lr bolt action. I bought a rifle on 11th January 2016 on substitution like for like 22 lr bolt action, my licence arrived on 25th January 2016, my friend is still waiting. Both in Roscommon, so what do we conclude from this.

goz83

Luckysasha wrote: »

Have you started shooting at courtlough yet or are you waiting until your license comes through. Just wondering what the facilities are like and if your hooked on shooting yet !!

I'm hoping to get my guns transferred to Courtlough soon. So, i've to wait until then. Otherwise I will be practicing with their guns and I prefer the former.

cookimonster wrote: »

Give us a clue as to which district in Dublin North.
Recent changes of FO in Coolock area has seen some serious waiting times compared to the previous occupant of the job. I've had new licenses issued quicker than the latest renewals are been processed.

There's lads out there with unlicensed firearms as renewals are not being processed in the three months period.

Your waiting for a new licence while I'm hoping my existing ones will just be renewed on time.

Coolock is my station. I hope i'm not waiting long

I suppose I won't hold my breath.

Pkiernan

goz83 wrote: »

I'm hoping to get my guns transferred to Courtlough soon. So, i've to wait until then. Otherwise I will be practicing with their guns and I prefer the former.



Coolock is my station. I hope i'm not waiting long

I suppose I won't hold my breath.

Coolock is fine. I submitted a 22 application on Dec 8th in Swords.
Received acknowledgement on Jan 9th from Coolock.
Got approval a week later. Paid in Post Office and got licence the following week.
Total time approx 6 weeks.
No complaints here.

cookimonster

I wouldn't hold my breath, let's sum it up, I'm still waiting after 'x' months later for a sub, like for like, with no official acknowledgement. I can't go into details but I haven't been sitting back over the period. I have exhausted all the niceties and am awaiting the next 'move'. The time frame ment I missed the whole of the game season.
I am also one of the lads who have also had their license run out due to slow clerical practice.

So I would advise you to record every detail of your transactions in case you need to revisit them for any reason.

cookimonster

Pkiernan wrote: »

Coolock is fine. I submitted a 22 application on Dec 8th in Swords.
Received acknowledgement on Jan 9th from Coolock.
Got approval a week later. Paid in Post Office and got licence the following week.
Total time approx 6 weeks.
No complaints here.

Sorry but your wrong here, Coolock is your district HQ, where all the applications are processed by the super after your FO in Swords, has done the first part of the process - screening your application.
Even though the OP and myself are in the jurisdiction of the district HQ, our applications and paper work must be dealt with by the station FO before it goes onto the Super Intendants office via his clerk.
The problem lies with the speed at which the Coolock station FO is processing the paper work.

goz83

So, realistically, I shouldn't be waiting more than a month before I at least get an acknowlegement letter, should I?

cookimonster

goz83 wrote: »

So, realistically, I shouldn't be waiting more than a month before I at least get an acknowlegement letter, should I?

In theory yes, but how long is a piece of string. If the GS doing the paper work does everything they should then it may take a while, add into that the new shift pattern, court appearances, sick days or leave, the weeks can fairly roll by without anything been done.

According to the Commissioners guidelines to firearms licensing I should have had my sub done in approximately 14 days but here I am one season over and no gun for it.

As I said before I've had new applications processed and issued within a couple of weeks of application before this and to date none of my circumstances regarding firearms ownership has changed, these delays clearly lie within the first step of the process.

I hope for your sake, mine and others in the district this is just teething issues with the new FO and future business will run smoothly otherwise I know I will have the same headache next year with my other licenses.

chris20

Was 11 months waiting on a 22 between swords and coolock, FO in swords is shocking

chris20

Once I got a letter from coolock saying the application was received I was only waiting 5 days

SVI40

I've never had a new application processed in less than 6 months. This was in three different stations in DMR North.

goz83

Would there be any use in ringing the station to ask for a letter of confirmation that the application has been received?

I'm a tiny bit anxious, because when I went into the station, there was a lad I know, who is a friend of a friend, who was also there to see the FO. I only know this lad by name (met him about 3 times in my friends house over the course of about 10 years), but my friend said he had his firearms taken off him by the Gardai and licenses not renewed. He was asking me what I was going for, noticing the forms in my hand. Anyway, when he was leaving the station, he turned back to the FO and said "Oh and (insert my name) wants to talk to you". Now, I don't want to judge, but I hope the FO doesn't think i'm a friend of this lad if he had his firearms taken from him for any reason. I think he's a decent guy, but tbh, I don't know him beyond a friendly chat in a mates house.

hexosan

goz83 wrote: »

Would there be any use in ringing the station to ask for a letter of confirmation that the application has been received?

I'm a tiny bit anxious, because when I went into the station, there was a lad I know, who is a friend of a friend, who was also there to see the FO. I only know this lad by name (met him about 3 times in my friends house over the course of about 10 years), but my friend said he had his firearms taken off him by the Gardai and licenses not renewed. He was asking me what I was going for, noticing the forms in my hand. Anyway, when he was leaving the station, he turned back to the FO and said "Oh and (insert my name) wants to talk to you". Now, I don't want to judge, but I hope the FO doesn't think i'm a friend of this lad if he had his firearms taken from him for any reason. I think he's a decent guy, but tbh, I don't know him beyond a friendly chat in a mates house.

you'll have yourself worried into an early grave, sit back relax and wait your couple of weeks or months.

goz83

hexosan wrote: »

you'll have yourself worried into an early grave, sit back relax and wait your couple of weeks or months.

My understanding was that the FO would usually interview a first time applicant. Found it odd he didn't say more than the amount of rounds requested was high. Hopefully I hear back sooner rather than later. I'm itching to get out and shoot some bunnies

cookimonster

Jes, chill out, I know it's a waiting game, believe I have zero patience in waiting but it's only being tweenty odd days since you applied.

Remember, this is an add on to the Guards duties, so regular 'policing matters' will take precedence. Plus the fact that even if he has completed his side of the procedure it needs to go to the Supers' office via a clerk for the issue of the acknowledgement letter. The Coolock district deals with thousands of firearms paper work, so yours like mine will join a long list of applications, renewals and substitutions.

If you hear nought in a month or two from the time of the application, you may and politely contact the Guard or ring the Supers' office and one of the clerks will check to see if it's in the system.

goz83

"tiny bit anxious"....not climbing the walls or anything, but a whiskey is sounding good about now.

Couldn't resist ordering and receiving this in post yesterday :P

Cass

goz83 wrote: »

My understanding was that the FO would usually interview a first time applicant.

A technical point, but an important one non the less. The FO will not inteview you. S/he receives the application and can recommend for or against it, but at the end of the day its the Super that signs it so it'll be the Super that interviews you.

goz83 wrote: »

Couldn't resist ordering and receiving this in post yesterday :P

Nice.

goz83

Cass wrote: »

A technical point, but an important one non the less. The FO will not inteview you. S/he receives the application and can recommend for or against it, but at the end of the day its the Super that signs it so it'll be the Super that interviews you.


Nice.

So I had better brush up on those interview skills after all :pac:

Cheers for the clarification Cass.

goz83

Not that it matters much now, but do you have to apply at your local station? An old friend of mine is a Gard at a station in the town I work. If I had of been able to apply there, I might have been able to ask him to see the applications don't get left lying on someones desk, under a pile of other stuff.

I sent an email to coolock to ask about an acknowledgement letter, because it's been 8 weeks and I figure it's time to ask if anything has happened.

Cass

Yes. You must apply at your local station. Same if you move house, you must notify An Gardaí using the FCA2 of the change of address and then apply to the new local.

cookimonster

To the first part of your post, No, you must apply to your local station and it will be passed onto to the district HQ - where the Super Intendent is stationed for his part of the process. Your lucky in a way as Coolock is the district HQ.

As per my previous posts and being resident in the same district as yourself processing is very very very slow at the moment. After 5 months plus, I finally got one of my applications sorted, but I am still waiting for a few renewals to be processed months after their over due.

Ring the station on 016664281/2 this will get you onto the Supers office, but not the Super himself, ask if your paper work has been processed, if they have a copey on their desk, then happy days as it has passed through the hands of the FO in the station. If they don't then the Guard acting as the FO hasn't processed your paper work and or passed it on to the Supers office.
If your unsure of the Guards name then this is the time to get it and find out his shift pattern so you may arrange to talk to him.

Again best of luck and keep your cool, as compared to previous years it's like pulling teeth at the moment.

goz83

Cheers. I remember the name of the FO. I will wait a couple of days and then if I hear nothing, I'll phone the number to chase it up.

Curious, what happens in your case where the license expires and you had applied in time for the renewal? That's a serious enough situation to be in.

MarcinG

goz83 wrote: »

So, realistically, I shouldn't be waiting more than a month before I at least get an acknowlegement letter, should I?

I put my 2 c:
South Dublin. 22LR for varmint control (farm permission, safe installed, course finished etc. before made an application).
Applied at around mid August. Letter received 27th of August (stating max waiting time of 3 months). Mid November started to be a frequent guest (up to twice a day) at stations (depending on person met at the desk i should go to other station/come back later etc. etc. Every time was promised to receive a call "soon"). Finally received grant notice letter just before Christmas eve. On other hand i heard of people in Carlow getting whole thing done in less than a month.
Ps i have Garda clarence since 2006 or so (working in places where required). Hoped it will help but i don't think it did.

goz83

So I didn't hear anything and I rang yesterday. The lady who deals with the applications was off, so I rang just now and spoke to her. There is nothing on the system at all :mad:

She pulled up the email I sent to the station and said she would forward it to the FO. I expected it would be on the system at least. So 2 months gone and it seems not a thing has been done....or maybe it just seems that way. I just know I haven't heard anything and no reference calls have been made. So, the delay is at the first hurdle.

MarcinG

Same happened with me. On some stage someone told me that my request has lapsed....

goz83

I have received an email, signed by the super (or clerk), to say that my email will be forwarded onto the FO, which is something at least. A copy of my original email was pasted. Hopefully this moves things along.

cookimonster

goz83 wrote: »

...... I just know I haven't heard anything and no reference calls have been made. So, the delay is at the first hurdle.

This is the issue, the paper work is not been processed in the appropriate time, once it is passed onto the office then it is been dealt with in the proper and timely fashion.

tomtucker81

Big headache here in the coolock area with the new FO.
I even met the old FO (now retired) in the shops and he said he was getting phone calls off lads wondering what was going on. Obviously he had to explain that he had retired and there was a new man in charge.

I renewed my rimfire rifle last year before he retired. New cert out to me in 2 weeks.
Last November I applied to renew my sxs (to new FO), the cert arrived start of March. The old licence expired at the start of December so I was without licence for 3 months.

Centre fire is up in a months time....I should drop it in immediately I suppose!

BrownTrout

When I applied for my shotgun, FO rang me on the same day to say my application had been approved. Had the physical certificate in my pocket in less than 2 weeks.

goz83

tomtucker81 wrote: »

Big headache here in the coolock area with the new FO.

Last November I applied to renew my sxs (to new FO), the cert arrived start of March. The old licence expired at the start of December so I was without licence for 3 months

That would seem to match up with what I was told today when I met a lad I know at the range. He told me he was waiting 5 months for his shotgun license in coolock and he had just got it.

Is there any point ringing them and being on their case, or would I just be wasting my breath? Its one thing going for a first time license, but I would be furious if I was left waiting for a renewal and the very public servants who would arrest you and/or confiscate your guns are the same people who are supposed to be approving (or declining) license applications.

Is there anything in the pipeline with a view to changing this ludicrous system?

tomtucker81

Left the centre fire application in on 16th there.

As regards the system and change...well the system works when there is someone there who pays attention to applications as they come in.
The last man was a sergeant who was in the office so he would get time to deal with any applications as they came in. The new man is a garda who is out on patrol most days, in a busy station so not ideal from our point of view.

BattleCorp

There is no way that these kinds of delays would be accepted if it was a private business.

How hard can it be. Seriously.

A shooter leaves the paperwork into the Garda station. If everything is in order the F.O. enters the paperwork onto the system.

It is then sent to the Super/Chief Super to be signed off. (At least that is what I think happens.) The Super/Chief Super either signs off on it or refuses it.

It's not that complicated a system and should run a lot faster than it is, especially for renewals or for someone who already has a firearms licence.

tomtucker81

Completely agree.
And it worked that efficiently with the old FO. I'd leave a renewal in to him and in a week I was getting the letter to go to the post office with. So that shows that it is a straight forward process when attended to correctly.

Luckysasha

I called in to the Garda station with my paperwork and spoke to the Sargent in charge of licensing. Five days later I had the grant letter and five days after that I had the actual license in my hand. Ten days start to finish. My point is the system does work if it's run properly.

goz83

Well, something is moving along. The FO rang me today. Asking me to bring in my passport or drivers license on Saturday along with a receipt with confirmation that the shotgun is restricted to 3 shells. The second bit will have to wait though, as there's nothing on the receipt and I will have to get courtlough to issue me something on it.

cookimonster

In relation to the 'un-restricted '......

Type up a letter addressed to the FO, detail the firearm, make, model etc etc, then include this .......

In reference to the above mentioned firearm, I confirm that it is NOT a restricted firearm as per the definition laid down in the Commissioners Guide to Fire Arm Licensing and by virtue of its design and construction allowing a maximum capacity of three cartridges to loaded into the gun at any one time...

Then sign it off the usual, ....please do not hesitate to contact me ya de ya de ya...

I'm typing this from memory, but I've done this in the past for a semi with no further problems, but it's a pain in the A when you have to submit it again for an all ready licensed firearm.

goz83

i have dropped into the station a few times with no luck catching the FO. He is either off duty (when other say he is supposed to be on duty), out on patrol, or like tonight, I dropped into the station before his shift was to start and I get told after waiting a good 15-20 minutes that he is off sick :mad:

i had rang the supers office about the applications and the rifle one is on the system, but the shotgun is not. I have emailed the forms requested and have also had them copied in the station, so I am hoping it's just a small delay. It kinda stung when I was then told that the application could take up to 12 weeks....considering it's been that long already. 12 weeks today I think. Another 12 weeks would be lunacy.

I know one of my referees was contacted, so that's something. Fingers crossed I won't be waiting much longer.

gunny123

Dropped a new application for a shotgun into Blackrock Dublin, wednesday last week. Got the grant letter yesterday and the "we have received your application" letter today. So credit where it is due.

goz83

I stopped by the station earlier today when I was driving by. I knew the FO was scheduled for a shift and I managed to see him about my applications. He told me they had both gone up and he got the papers I dropped up. So, it took 3 months to do what is taking a few hours in some districts. Crazy. I just hope the rest of the process moves more quickly. I will be calling the supers office on Monday to double check they have the shotgun application in the system, because only the rifle was showing up last time I rang.

goz83

Over 15 weeks later and I am only aware of one out of two FCA1s on the system. I rang the district HQ on Friday. Was told the girl who deals with firearms wasn't on til Monday. I rang today and she was at a meeting. Was told she would call me back....which she did not. I rang a few hours later and she was gone home.

So I not only have the usual situation of trying to deal with the phantom FO, I now find I have to deal with someone specific in the Chiefs office, because "she is the one who deals with firearms". The level of laziness and idiocy continues to astonish me. I would like to buy another couple of guns, but I am obviously a bit snookered, having limited room in my locker.

VBull

Do you know the rank/title of the person you are now having to deal with?

When you say Chiefs office do you mean the Supers office?

Some stations are very efficient others not so much as you are finding out.

Honestly i think you will have to meet the Super (if you havent already) prior to the licenses been granted as its your first firearm they may be wondering why you have applied for two at the same time. It shouldnt really make any difference once your background is clean but unfortunately you will have to prove to them why you want two firearms starting off even though you have good reason been a member of a target range.

Cass

There is no limit to the amount of frequency with which one can apply for a firearm. I lad i knew some years ago got a .308 for his first gun. However at 15 weeks regardless of the reason for the delay it's taking the wee-wee.

This brings me back to another topic. The receipt letter. It should be issued when you submit the FCA1, not when they start top process it. Its why An Gardaí can claim that 90% ( or whatever figure they throw out) of applications are processed within the 3 month time period. Because they count the time from when it's entered onto PULSE, not when the applicant submits it.

VBull

Without diving into a completely different topic, i do believe everything you have said Cass (and a lot more) is reason that AGS role in licensing should be background and security checks only. Every application on its own merit and not on the personal opinion of someone whose job is to enforce the law and not make it up to suit their agenda.

Im personally lucky in that i deal direct with the district hq and the FO there is very good at his job and knows his firearms yet not a shooter.

My last fresh application resulted in me having the license in my hands 10 days after handing it in. I havent done any substitution but expect it to be received in a similar timely manner.

goz83 hang in there and dont be put off by slow progress or any humming or awing about whether or not they can grant your licenses. Personally i would see who this new person you have to deal with is and what they are looking for from you, after dealing with this person i would wait a week or so and then ask for an update. IF your application is been put on the long finger then i would contact the firearms policy unit and ask them what the status of your application is and if it hasnt changed inform them that you are waiting X weeks, anyone i know who has dealt with them has praised their help as they seem to work to the letter of the law and light a fire under the backside of districts who are slow to grant applications.

SVI40

Goz83 I'm in the same division as yourself. I put in an application for a .22 rifle in the first week in January. Eventually got a call in March from the local Garda, to look for a copy of my driving licence. Sent that off, and then got the letter saying they had 3 months to process the application. That was 3 months after I had first applied.

I got a call the other day, to question my security for storage, this after having the Divisional CPO come out twice in the past 2 years to confirm my storage.

The local Garda who rang me said the application was being processed, all was good, but was being passed backwards and forwards between local and district stations.

I summation, I've never had an application (6 so far) approved in less than 6 months. Just hang in there, it will arrive..... eventually.

goz83

I was talking about the supers office when I mentioned chief earlier....sorry about the confusion. So I rang this morning again and the lady who normally deals with the firearms applications (who is not the FO) politely told me that the FO deals with all the firearms applications and I would have to deal with him directly. I mentioned I had no direct line, or email for him and she gave me the same generic email I had already. She wasn't rude or anything and I could tell she must have been getting a lot of calls about these delays, but it leaves me without a direct contact. Anyway, I sent an email for the attention of the FO asking if both applications were on the system.

5 minutes later, the postman drops in the grant letter for the rifle

BUT....should there be an "S" somewhere on the letter? I don't see one.

BattleCorp

goz83 wrote: »

I was talking about the supers office when I mentioned chief earlier....sorry about the confusion. So I rang this morning again and the lady who normally deals with the firearms applications (who is not the FO) politely told me that the FO deals with all the firearms applications and I would have to deal with him directly. I mentioned I had no direct line, or email for him and she gave me the same generic email I had already. She wasn't rude or anything and I could tell she must have been getting a lot of calls about these delays, but it leaves me without a direct contact. Anyway, I sent an email for the attention of the FO asking if both applications were on the system.

5 minutes later, the postman drops in the grant letter for the rifle

BUT....should there be an "S" somewhere on the letter? I don't see one.

There is no letter "S" on the grant letter. You will only know if you have been granted permission for the moderator when you receive the licence.

goz83

BattleCorp wrote: »

There is no letter "S" on the grant letter. You will only know if you have been granted permission for the moderator when you receive the licence.

So it's off to the Post Office for me then :pac:

Cass

VBull wrote: »

Im personally lucky in that i deal direct with the district hq and the FO there is very good at his job and knows his firearms yet not a shooter.

I'm in the exact same boat. I might seem a little harsh on An Gardaí at times, but its not without reason. I also praise them when they do either a good job or just their job.

My FO is on the ball. She knows her stuff, is quick, and the only delays are usually from her waiting to have the FCA1 signed off on by the Super. Even then it susually 3 to 4 weeks at most before i have the grant letter or sub license for anything i apply for. So no complaints on my end with my district.


@Goz83 - Nice one. One down, one to go.