Corona Virus and licence applications

Cass · 29-01-2021 1:44am

Balls. Thats a long wait.

alan0387 · 07-02-2021 12:59pm

Just dropped of substitution form this minute, we will see how long it takes.....T1x sitting in rfd waiting for me.....

tudderone · 07-02-2021 2:11pm

Seen an article in the paper today about driving licence theory tests are completely backed up, 55 thousand waiting to do it ! This virus is making right mess of everything.

Cass · 07-02-2021 2:27pm

Not condoning anything but on the driving issue. Seeing more L drivers being caught driving alone. They cannot have someone in the car with them due to distancing but because they're still working they need to travel.

As said not condoning it but they're is a slight rise in cars being seized for unaccompanied drivers and other offences that may not have happened any other time.

As for the application, it'll be interesting to see if how long it takes.

JP22 · 07-02-2021 10:27pm

New application going in over next week, fingers crossed it won't take too long.

Last one was for a sub, sorted in ten days.

alan0387 · 07-02-2021 10:42pm

My FO said she was doing subs and renewals this week so I should have my revised license within 10 days....

She did ask me how I was buying. 'Are the shops still open?' 'How did you see it?'

Told her the truth, I knew what rifle I wanted and rang and ordered over the phone. Dunno if it was an attempt to see if the rfd was open when he shouldn't be.

Anyway, fingers crossed all goes quick now

NightHawk7 · 07-02-2021 11:52pm

Sent in mine before Christmas, hopefully looking like I'll have it before march. This is for my 3rd. Got a good chat to the FO. He was saying everything is being done with a fine tooth comb these days, mandatory visits to check the premises for every application, background checks etc regardless if it's your first or tenth firearm, in my area at least. Never had so much as a phone call about the previous two, although that was a few years ago, so maybe it has gotten more strict since then and I wouldn't have noticed anyway.

tudderone · 08-02-2021 1:41am

NightHawk7 wrote: »

Sent in mine before Christmas, hopefully looking like I'll have it before march. This is for my 3rd. Got a good chat to the FO. He was saying everything is being done with a fine tooth comb these days, mandatory visits to check the premises for every application, background checks etc regardless if it's your first or tenth firearm, in my area at least. Never had so much as a phone call about the previous two, although that was a few years ago, so maybe it has gotten more strict since then and I wouldn't have noticed anyway.

Thats odd, i didn't think they had the time. In my area the guards are constantly patrolling. I head out for a walk and see at least 4 different squad cars cruising around, there seems to be an upsurge of violence lately, people in lock-down getting tetchy probably.

otmmyboy2 · 08-02-2021 1:45am

Put in 2 subs within a week of each other. Got one back last week after nearly 2 months.
Strangely it was the second one put in.

Feisar · 08-02-2021 4:42pm

alan0387 wrote: »

My FO said she was doing subs and renewals this week so I should have my revised license within 10 days....

She did ask me how I was buying. 'Are the shops still open?' 'How did you see it?'

Told her the truth, I knew what rifle I wanted and rang and ordered over the phone. Dunno if it was an attempt to see if the rfd was open when he shouldn't be.

Anyway, fingers crossed all goes quick now

I'm waiting to get my greasy paws/eyes on it before I buy.

NightHawk7 · 08-02-2021 5:55pm

tudderone wrote: »

Thats odd, i didn't think they had the time. In my area the guards are constantly patrolling. I head out for a walk and see at least 4 different squad cars cruising around, there seems to be an upsurge of violence lately, people in lock-down getting tetchy probably.

Yeah that's the problem, they don't have the time, but he said it's orders from the top so they don't have any choice in the matter.

markc2951 · 09-02-2021 10:27pm

2 weeks and 5 days for first rifle licence,not a first gun licence as I've a shotgun

alan0387 · 18-02-2021 9:37am

alan0387 wrote: »

Just dropped of substitution form this minute, we will see how long it takes.....T1x sitting in rfd waiting for me.....

Received a text this morning saying license granted and it will be in the post in the coming days. So thats 11 days from submitting to approval. Given postage times, I'll safely bet Monday before I have it in hand. That would be 16 day total turnaround time.

dunner515 · 18-02-2021 5:40pm

alan0387 wrote: »

Received a text this morning saying license granted and it will be in the post in the coming days. So thats 11 days from submitting to approval. Given postage times, I'll safely bet Monday before I have it in hand. That would be 16 day total turnaround time.

That's a good turn around time.

I'm now waiting 16 weeks and still haven't heard a peep.

alan0387 · 18-02-2021 7:08pm

dunner515 wrote: »

That's a good turn around time.

I'm now waiting 16 weeks and still haven't heard a peep.

It was twice that length for first time application last year. I'm delighted how quick it is.

I'm based in Meath, I wonder if I'm just lucky or are areas with higher rate of farms more likely to get done quicker I wonder

dunner515 · 18-02-2021 8:36pm

alan0387 wrote: »

It was twice that length for first time application last year. I'm delighted how quick it is.

I'm based in Meath, I wonder if I'm just lucky or are areas with higher rate of farms more likely to get done quicker I wonder

For my first time application I was waiting 6 months for my shotgun.

I'm based in Westmeath with plenty of farms about. My application is also for a T1X

otmmyboy2 · 18-02-2021 9:44pm

alan0387 wrote: »

I'm based in Meath, I wonder if I'm just lucky or are areas with higher rate of farms more likely to get done quicker I wonder

I don't think that's the case.
I'm in the midlands surrounded by farms & farmers, obviously many gun owners, and regularly wait 2.5 months or longer for renewals, let alone new applications.

Waited a little over 6 months for the last renewal.
Current sub so far taking 2.5 months and counting.

Scalachi · 19-02-2021 1:49pm

To give credit where its due.

So far this year I have submitted two renewals or reapplications or whatever we want to call them...

First took about 3 weeks for grant letter, second was put in about 3 weeks ago and had the grant letter in less than 2 weeks.

In my case, they have to go from local station to district station as well in that period, so very happy with the current service.

I dont think I have ever had to wait 3 months for a non restricted license, but in fairness, I would nearly always ring the district office after a month or so to ensure it had had moved from the local station

I think I have had to wait longer than 3 months only once or twice for restricted, but it was nearly always due to CS change or retirement or district change that caused the delay.

alan0387 · 25-02-2021 12:28pm

License arrived this morning folks. Not bad turn around

dunner515 · 25-02-2021 9:03pm

17 weeks from application to grant letter recieved. Should have the licence by week 18.

alanmc · 26-02-2021 1:12am

dunner515 wrote: »

17 weeks from application to grant letter recieved. Should have the licence by week 18.

Good jaysus that's painful. Bet you're looking forward to picking it up now though. Best of luck and happy shooting.

BattleCorp · 26-02-2021 10:28am

I've a renewal and a new application handed in a few days now. I wonder how long it will take? Very good firearms officer in my area. A gent to deal with. It there's a delay, it won't be at his end.

Brontosaurus · 27-02-2021 11:08pm

Doing my first renewal and a bit confused about the process. Do I go into my local station and hand in the form, ID, photos and whatever other documents just as if it's a new application?

cookimonster · 28-02-2021 12:13am

Brontosaurus wrote: »

Doing my first renewal and a bit confused about the process. Do I go into my local station and hand in the form, ID, photos and whatever other documents just as if it's a new application?

Firstly did you receive a pre populated firearms renewal form in the post?
(These are posted to your address (as per your original application), approximately 3 months before your exsisting license is due to expire
If not wait until it arrives, there may be a delay by a few weeks. If you haven't received the renewal in prior to the expiry of their current certifica then you need to contact your local station

From the Garda website
https://www.garda.ie/en/about-us/online-services/firearms-licensing/

Each current holder of a firearm certificate (with the exception of a Firearm Training Certificate) should receive a PRE POPULATED version of the new Firearms Renewal Form (FCR) in the post approximately three months prior to the expiry of their current certificate.

All details relevant to the current firearm certificate, including the firearm, referees, G.P, land etc will be detailed on the renewal form.

Corresponding boxes will be included to facilitate any changes for example a change of referee, doctor etc. The firearm owner can fill in the changes on the renewal form, if any, and when the form is signed it shall then be returned to the local Station for consideration by the relevant Superintendent (or Chief Superintendent if a restricted firearm application).

If there are no changes, the applicant simply signs the renewal form and brings the FCR form to his/her Garda Station for processing by An Garda Síochána.

When a decision is made to grant the renewal by the Superintendent (or Chief Superintendent), the applicant will receive a Grant Notice Letter in the post (as is currently the case with a new application) and when paid will then receive his/her new three year certificate by post.

So basically follow the instructions above, make any amendments if required and return the paper work to your local station.

As an extra I inculde a current proof of gun club membership, deer licence (if applicable) etc, etc and put everything into envelope to keep it all together when I hand it into my local station.

Others lads will request a receipt from the Garda on the desk, while some stations have a drop box for all firearms related paperwork

otmmyboy2 · 01-03-2021 2:09pm

I used to drop it into the local station and found it often got "lost" in transit 15 minutes up the road to the FO's station.

After one particularly long renewal(6+ months) the FO asked me to just drop the paperwork(as cookimonster mentioned, all bits together in an envelope) with the FO's name on it into the district station where it would actually get processed.

Never managed to get a receipt from the local guards on hand in, but always asked for the name and shoulder number, and made a note of that and the time & date.

My FO always asks for the lot in terms of paperwork.
Proficiency, previous addresses, perms if for hunting, proof of up to date range membership otherwise, etc.
Same as every other renewal, but whatever.
Bloody annoying though when I have to hand in largely the same ~15 pages within a few months of one another. :rolleyes:

CorkBlackbird · 02-03-2021 12:23am

Submitted an application for an O/U 12G on the 15 Jan in Cork and have not received anything yet.
Rang and said it was an issue because I moved house and last license was for the other house.

Fingers crossed..

kjl412 · 02-03-2021 1:44am

Submitted my second application for .22 lr on 19th of December, heard nothing as of yet. Had one that I submitted last October fully complete in less than two months so seems to be taking bit longer this time round for what ever reason.

JP22 · 02-03-2021 2:00pm

JP22 wrote: »

New application going in over next week, fingers crossed it won't take too long.

Last one was for a sub, sorted in ten days.

UPDATE

19 days in and acknowledgement letter received today:), fingers crossed that grant letter won't take too long.

Grizzly 45 · 02-03-2021 11:04pm

otmmyboy2 wrote: »

I used to drop it into the local station and found it often got "lost" in transit 15 minutes up the road to the FO's station.

After one particularly long renewal(6+ months) the FO asked me to just drop the paperwork(as cookimonster mentioned, all bits together in an envelope) with the FO's name on it into the district station where it would actually get processed.

I'd suggest in future, that if your very confidential paperwork gets "lost" in those circumstances, a polite call suggesting that it is best "found" within 72 hours would be of great benefit to all concerned, as otherwise you will be forced to involve the data protection commissioner to investigate as to how your personal and extremely sensitive data on your personal, medical, security, and firearms information, as well as 3rd parties[referees], got lost between two stations.... Strange that of all the paperwork and forms being handled by AGS, firearms applications are the ones being" lost" the most often...Would think they would sort this very common complaint out a bit by now???;)

Vizzy · 02-03-2021 11:14pm

Grizzly 45 wrote: »

I'd suggest in future, that if your very confidential paperwork gets "lost" in those circumstances, a polite call suggesting that it is best "found" within 72 hours would be of great benefit to all concerned, as otherwise you will be forced to involve the data protection commissioner to investigate as to how your personal and extremely sensitive data on your personal, medical, security, and firearms information, as well as 3rd parties[referees], got lost between two stations.... Strange that of all the paperwork and forms being handled by AGS, firearms applications are the ones being" lost" the most often...Would think they would sort this very common complaint out a bit by now???;)

I always copy everything and take a note of the Garda's "number" at the desk.

Also, on the GDPR issue, you should be aware that the application must be available at all times i.e. if you go in and ask to see your application and they can't produce it there and then, then that is a Data Breach and must be reported to the DPO within 72 hours.

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Corona Virus and licence applications

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