We now have info on the fees, forms and other details of how airgun licensing will operate.
Whole document:
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2016/188/contents/made
Link to fees section:
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2016/188/schedule/3/part/1/made
Fee notes:
- Main AWC (air weapon certificate) fee is £72 for 5-year certificate
- Shorter certificates may be issued to smooth out peak flow demand. This will be on a pro-rata cost basis.
- Applicants under 18 will have lower certificate fees relative to the number of years under 18, at which point they will have to apply for a full AWC i.e. someone 17 years old pays less than someone 15 years old.
- Applicants who have FAC or SGC can apply for an AWC that expires at the same time as their other certificate(s).
- The AWC fee for FAC and SGC holders will be £5.
- The visitor permit cost is £20 for an individual and £100 for 5 to 20 persons - this is ludicrous and will harm airgun sports tourism, including matches and competitions.
The document outlines:
- About air weapon certificates
- Photograph requirements
- Police permits
- Visitor permits
- Variations
- Event permits
- Approval of air weapon clubs
- Mandatory conditions
- Replacement certificates, permits and approvals
- Fees
- Duration of air weapon certificates
- Application forms:
AWL1 Application for the grant or renewal of an air weapon certificate
AWL1a Air weapon certificate (what it will look like)
AWL2 Application for the grant of a police permit
AWL2a Police permit
AWL3 Application for the grant of a visitor permit
AWL3a Visitor permit
AWL4 Application for the variation of an air weapon certificate, a police permit or a visitor permit
AWL5 Application for the grant of an event permit
AWL5a Event permit
AWL6 Application for the grant or renewal of an approval of an air weapon club
AWL6a Approval of an air weapon club
AWL7 Application for the variation of an approved air weapon club’s approval
Other points:-
- The full Act comes into force on 1 January 2017.
- Applications for AWCs will start from 1 July this year, though AWCs will not take effect until 1 January 2017.
- Existing SGC or FAC holders are covered to possess and use (not buy) airguns until their next renewal.
- Airgunners who are not FAC/SGC holders have until 1 November this year to apply for an AWC*
[* It is not an offence for a person on or after 31st December 2016 to possess (but not to use, purchase or acquire) an air weapon without holding an air weapon certificate if the person has, before 1st November 2016, made an application for the grant of an air weapon certificate and the application has not yet been determined. This does not apply to FAC/SGC holders who are automatically covered to possess and use airguns until their next renewal date.]
Members should make themselves aware of the new law. We will try to distill and clarify confusing aspects. Any SGA members with questions should get in touch with the office.
Article Courtesy of Alex Stoddart at SACS
