Zimmerframe wrote: »

Don't know why but I went in for a look and despite being nearly 50 years of age, with zero interest in guns, I became the owner of an o/u shotgun.

Ha, ha, ha, ha. Rookie mistake. Never go into a gun shop, it's worse than crack.

Anyway welcome to the sport.

Got the details from the shop and downloaded the licence form. Seems simple enough,

It is. If it helps here is a guide to filling in the FCA1:

• Section 1 - Tick Firearm Certificate and in the box below tick "I have not held a certificate for this firearm in the previous three years".
• Section 2.1 - Fill in all the personal information stuff. Everything.
• Section 2.2 - Give name, address and phone number for your GP, and any other doctor you might be visiting.
• Section 2.3 - You need two people to vouch for you. Supply their name, address and details in this section.
• Section 2.4 - Tick the boxes as appropriate.
• Section 2.5 - Supply details of your competence, or if you've done the course just write "Copy of cert attached". Then attach a copy.
• Section 3.1 - Fill in the details of the gun you've bought here. All the info will be on the docket the dealer gives you.
• Section 3.3 - Write in the dealer PULSE ID. It'll be a 4 digit number that the dealer uses. Then his name.
• Section 3.5 - Tick "YES", and then "NO". Make sure you have at least a trigger lock bought for the gun. This is the minimu security needed.
• Section 4.1 - Tick English, and below that write in the amount of rounds you want. I'd apply for betwee 250 - 500 rounds.
• Section 4.2 - Tick Hunting. No need for target shooting and you might be required to show membership if you do. You can tick it if you want, it's your choice. Also fill in the details for your Father's certificate.
• Section 5.1 - Tick yes (no need for licenses as your firearms license covers you and you're not shooting deer, only pheasant)
• Sign it, and date it.

You will need to supply extra information for some sections, and other section you can ignore. Like the suppressor bit won't apply because you won't have one for the shotgun. However you want to be as detailed as possible, but without writing a novel. On a separate piece of paper, labelled "Additional Information" fill in the following (only the ones that apply to you):

• Section 2.1 - Previous Address: I have lived as 3 addresses my entire life. One was before i was old enough to own a firearm so i disregard this and supply my last address and this one. If you move around a lot then provide the last two.
• Section 2.5 - Proof of Competence: Please see attached competence certificate (then give in a copy of the cert)
• Section 3.2 - Suppressor: I am seeking authorisation for a sound suppressor for the following reasons
  • To aid sound reduction of the firearm when used around livestock and bloodstock.
  • To aid sound reduction so as to not alarm people in the vicinity.
  • Unsafe practice of wearing suitable hearing protection while stalking / hunting
  • Protection of personal hearing
  • Improved accuracy therefore aiding with the humane dispatch of prey due to reduced recoil etc
  • Ideal for vermin control.
• Section 3.5 - Secure Storage: List the security measures as your Father has done as i assume the rifle will stay stored in his house for the time being.
• Section 4.1 - Amount of Ammo: I am requesting 500 (example) rounds of ammunition for the following reasons:
  • Empty (fired) casings are treated the same as live rounds as per the Firearms Act, 1925 where it states that "ammunition for a firearm is any ingredient or component part of any such ammunition", with component part being the bullet, the casing, the propellant or the primer. So my license must allow me to have a high enough limit to have both live and fired rounds in my possession.
  • I regularly take part in target competitions and actively attend target ranges for practice. As a result of this I can go through a large quantity of rounds in a short period of time.
  • Buying bulk rounds of ammunition to reduce trips to dealer and for cost implications.
  • Distance to dealer being excessive & inconvenient.
• Section 4.2 - Reason for Gun: The firearm will be used for hunting of wild animals/birds during the open seasons in accordance with the 1976 Wildlife Act, and the control/culling of vermin. Supply a copy of any licenses necessary (deer, etc)

Ignore sections:

• 3.4
• 4.3
• 4.4
• 5.2

apart from the "proof of competency".

Competence is the ability to safely own and use a firearm. It can be shown in one of four ways:

1. Competence Certificate - Do a competence course with a range, association or other reputable group and they will present you with a certificate of completion which you can attach to your FCA1.
2. Previous experience - If you are currently or ever held a firearms license in the past this can show competence. Also time spent in a job (such as defense forces) where firearm were used should suffice.
3. Letter of support - If you have friends that can write letters of support to say you have accompanied them to the range, on shoots, etc and showed a clear aptitude for firearm safety. Obviously not shot the guns because without a license that would be illegal.
4. Training certificate - If you held a firearms training certificate then this will show you have been under the supervision of someone for "X" amount of years and are competent to have a firearm of your own.

Used to shoot clay pigeons with the brothers gun some years ago, will I put that down or should I mention using someone's gun ?

You can use someone else's gun, under supervision, on a range. However it's easier, quicker and possibly less hassle to just do option 1 above.

For an easy life and application, yes.