r/ukguns • u/Ok_Swan4746 • 4d ago
Gun license referee
I’ve just applied for a shotgun license and got two good friends to be my referees. I was just wondering what they can expect. Will they be phoned by police, visited by police, sent a letter or nothing? If so what kind of things will they be asked and is it much of a burden to them. I have of course sent them the guidance info about referees but it doesn’t really clarify what they will be asked and what there duties are. Anyway if anyone could help I’d really appreciate it. Thank you
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u/Lia_ande 4d ago
Mine had no forms, one of them had a phone call from the police just to check that I'm not a complete maniac and to check I wasn't in any financial difficulty. The other wasn't contacted at all.
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u/walt-and-co 4d ago
When I acted as referee for someone before I just received a phone call to talk about their application, how I know them, etc. Took about ten minutes total. This was with Staffs police (not where I’m from, but where my friend was based). Another friend put me down on his application in London but I’ve yet to be contacted by the met in his case.
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u/Pipperella89 3d ago
The guidance has changed recently. However, I was with my FEO recently when she took a call from a referee for someone else. She basically informed them of their responsibility, told them if the gun owner went made and killed someone they would be in court explaining why they agreed to be their referee etc... Then asked if there were any reasons why this person shouldn't have access to guns. That was all as before. The new bit, was probing into how well the referee knew the applicant. For example, asking semi-personal questions about them to make sure they were genuinely friends and not just casual acquaintances. What's his daughters name, have you been to their house, do you know his wife, what does he do for work.... etc. Just normal stuff anyone you know well would be able to answer.
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u/Heppie89 FAC/SGC 3d ago
Neither of my referees were contacted, but this is definitely not the norm.
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u/Ballbag94 3d ago
Both of my referees had phone calls where they were asked some questions about me and the nature of our relationship
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u/scootandshoot 3d ago
It seems to depend on the force and the FEO.
My referees missed a call from an unknown number, with no voicemail and no further attempts at contact. This delayed my renewal and I had to schedule the call between them and the FEO.
When they were eventually contacted, they were simply asked how long they had known me and if they had any concerns about me owning and having access to firearms.
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u/Entire_Peak6027 3d ago
Neither of mine were contacted on my renewal. I've been put down as a referee 4/5 times and been contacted once. It was a 5 minute conversion, how long I've known them and do I think they should be trusted with firearms?
I think it all depends on what force area you're in.
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u/Donny-Kong 1d ago
I have a funny story about this. How many blokes know each other by nicknames? So Donny Kong abbreviated to ny (pronounced nee) or Yorkie. Any way FEO calls up my referees and asks “Do you know Donny Kong?” Their response is do you mean Yorkie? Then ensues the back and forth of do you know his full name, you should as he has put you down as his referees. Now some of these guys I’ve known for 25 to 30+ years. But it has never occurred to us to know each others full names including spellings. The guys were messaging me saying what did you put in your application, what is your surname?
Anyway main questions were how long have you known him? And any reason he shouldn’t have a firearm?
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u/sdrui96 4d ago
Both of my referees were just sent a form to fill in, I had to provide contact details but neither were contacted aside from the form.
My partner was called however, that was quite a lengthy conversation but all reasonable questions to ask in my opinion.
This was for an FAC.