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FAC - Medical Conditions
Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2019 9:18 am
by Pippin89
Hi All
Filling out my FAC application. All done except for the medical conditions part. I'm in 2 minds whether I should list something. I have sleep apnoea, which in my mind does not affect my "safe possession of a firearm" but I can see why someone might think that it would... On one hand I don't want to leave something out that they think is relevant, but on the other hand I don't want to list it implying that I think it is a problem when I don't!
The FEO I come under is a member of my club so I will ask him when I next see him down there but I thought in the meantime I would get the communities viewpoint!
Re: FAC - Medical Conditions
Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2019 9:48 am
by Daryll
I can't remember offhand, but does the form state " a medical condition that would affect safe possession of a firearm" or words to that effect...??
In which case, I wouldn't mention it... you're not going to have a gun with you while you sleep.. so I think you're fairly safe to omit it..
But yes, check with your FEO..
Re: FAC - Medical Conditions
Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2019 9:50 am
by Christel
Just my 2-cents worth, I have a few health problems however I do not list them as I deem them irrelevant to having an FAC/SGC.
Of course someone somewhere could say how am I suitable to judge if they are relevant or not.
I have even told my FEO that I do not list them, he smiled and shrugged his shoulders.
I mean really, what business is it to them that I once broke a leg and now knows when it is going to rain
Re: FAC - Medical Conditions
Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2019 9:58 am
by Christel
You must disclose any relevant physical or mental health conditions that you have been diagnosed with or treated for in the past as this may affect your ability to safely possess and use a firearm or shotgun.
Relevant medical conditions which must be disclosed are:
• Acute Stress Reaction or an acute reaction to the stress caused by a trauma • Suicidal thoughts or self harm • Depression or anxiety • Dementia • Mania, bipolar disorder or a psychotic illness • A personality disorder • A neurological condition: for example, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s or Huntington’s diseases, or epilepsy • Alcohol or drug abuse • Any other mental or physical condition which might affect your safe possession of a firearm or shotgun
https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... tion-forms
Not sure if there is an updated version?
Re: FAC - Medical Conditions
Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2019 10:24 am
by Pippin89
Thank you for your responses... Yes the bit that is concerning me is
"Any other mental or physical condition which might affect your safe possession of a firearm or shotgun"
Which is very much down to opinion, and more importantly knowledge of the condition... Sounds like I won't need to list it but yes I will double check with the FEO when I see him. I have the forms printed and signed so I can send them off as soon as I have spoken to him.
Re: FAC - Medical Conditions
Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2019 10:36 am
by Christel
Pippin89
Re: FAC - Medical Conditions
Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2019 10:48 am
by CraigH
During my interview I was asked last time I had visited GP, any medication I was currently taking and any medical conditions - I just went for it and listed everything I could think of, they were all written down (I'm sure he wasn't interested in the Verruca on my big toe), but I thought honesty is the best policy.
Re: FAC - Medical Conditions
Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2019 11:44 am
by kennyc
Pippin89 wrote:Thank you for your responses... Yes the bit that is concerning me is
"Any other mental or physical condition which might affect your safe possession of a firearm or shotgun"
Which is very much down to opinion, and more importantly knowledge of the condition... Sounds like I won't need to list it but yes I will double check with the FEO when I see him. I have the forms printed and signed so I can send them off as soon as I have spoken to him.
are you being treated (do you have a Cpap) if you are then it has no more impact on your ability to possess firearms than it has on your ability to drive a motor vehicle.
if you have sleep aponia then the DVLA will have been informed and as long as you remain compliant in your treatment they have no problems in you continuing to drive, why would firearms ownership be any different ? (other than petty back covering exercises by people who would rather no one have access to firearms )
Re: FAC - Medical Conditions
Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2019 12:19 pm
by Mattnall
kennyc wrote:
if you have sleep aponia then the DVLA will have been informed
Most Doctors won't routinely inform on patients unless they have knowledge of a patient still driving after being told they mustn't. It is down to the patient to inform the DVLA in the first instance.
The GMC Ethical Guidance wrote:9 If you become aware that a patient is continuing to drive when they may not be fit to do so, you should make every reasonable effort to persuade them to stop. If you do not manage to persuade the patient to stop driving, or you discover that they are continuing to drive against your advice, you should consider whether the patient’s refusal to stop driving leaves others exposed to a risk of death or serious harm. If you believe that it does, you should contact the DVLA or DVA promptly and disclose any relevant medical information, in confidence, to the medical adviser.
And who gets the bill for this? Certainly not the Driving License holder, unlike the FAC holder when he or she has to get a report done.
Re: FAC - Medical Conditions
Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2019 12:22 pm
by Pippin89
kennyc wrote:Pippin89 wrote:Thank you for your responses... Yes the bit that is concerning me is
"Any other mental or physical condition which might affect your safe possession of a firearm or shotgun"
Which is very much down to opinion, and more importantly knowledge of the condition... Sounds like I won't need to list it but yes I will double check with the FEO when I see him. I have the forms printed and signed so I can send them off as soon as I have spoken to him.
are you being treated (do you have a Cpap) if you are then it has no more impact on your ability to possess firearms than it has on your ability to drive a motor vehicle.
if you have sleep aponia then the DVLA will have been informed and as long as you remain compliant in your treatment they have no problems in you continuing to drive, why would firearms ownership be any different ? (other than petty back covering exercises by people who would rather no one have access to firearms )
Yes I have a CPAP and it does exactly the job it needs to. Every time I visit the specialist and they download the data from it they say all is well and send me on my way. So I have absolutely no concern that it affects my safe possession of them. But the wonder is if someone else who thinks it might feels I should have listed it.... Either way I will double check with the FEO before I send it off.