Thread: Re applying for expired FAL

I remain surprised a lawyer hasn't challenged police/govt on behalf on the continued delays in processing a FAL in a timely manner?? Can't blame Covid for everything and get away with it can they?? Imagine if this was for a drivers license renewal etc. The country will be up in arms!

Originally Posted by Hunteast

I remain surprised a lawyer hasn't challenged police/govt on behalf on the continued delays in processing a FAL in a timely manner?? Can't blame Covid for everything and get away with it can they?? Imagine if this was for a drivers license renewal etc. The country will be up in arms!

Tried Police Complaints Authority - got a weasel reply about "Police hope to improve the system" so "no further action will be taken" Have asked them to reconsider
Wrote letter to Police Minister pointing out that she should be delighted at the opportunity to root out incompetence in her dept seeing as they are not politically motivated against FAL holders so it has too be simple incompetence, right?
No reply as yet
Letter to Ombudsman and CCed Nicole McKee
No reply yet

Applied for renewal Mar 5

If they take more than a couple of months then I consider that to be an excessive delay, I'm not really interested in hearing bullshit excuses

The only thing left that I can do is picket Police HQ with a sign saying "Do ya job, coppers" but even then that would have to be on Saturdays cos I have to go to work to pay over $450 a week PAYE to give to a government that doesn't give a shit

Im looking at renewing mine now, expires June next year. Can't find any forms online, I think it used to be available online but got removed? Guess its because the laws and forms are changing all over the place. What a pain.

Originally Posted by JessicaChen

Im looking at renewing mine now, expires June next year. Can't find any forms online, I think it used to be available online but got removed? Guess its because the laws and forms are changing all over the place. What a pain.

I found the FAL application form, it's stuck under one of the drag down menus down the page. Editable PDF.

https://www.police.govt.nz/advice-se...rearms-licence

Originally Posted by Cordite

I found the FAL application form, it's stuck under one of the drag down menus down the page. Editable PDF.

https://www.police.govt.nz/advice-se...rearms-licence

Thanks! I wasn't sure if the renewal form was the same as a new application form. Time for some paperwork.

Originally Posted by JessicaChen

Thanks! I wasn't sure if the renewal form was the same as a new application form. Time for some paperwork.

Make sure you answer every questiion, and provide as much relevant detail as you can. Don't give them any excuse to return your application for additional information, because that will give the police a reason to send it back to the end if the queue.

Originally Posted by Bol Tackshin

Make sure you answer every questiion, and provide as much relevant detail as you can. Don't give them any excuse to return your application for additional information, because that will give the police a reason to send it back to the end if the queue.

I have a funny feeling that they might ask for more info anyway, since I have taken anti anxiety medication the last few years. Fingers crossed they don't make a big fuss about it.

Curious if anyone else got this reply from IPCA weasels

I’m writing to let you know the outcome of your complaint about the delay in your firearms licence
renewal application being processed.
Police acknowledge that there are serious delays in processing applications relating to firearms
licences.
The Authority is aware of this issue and has spoken to Police about this. Police tell us that they have a new business model which it is hoped will reduce the backlog of applications and delays for applicants.
This includes a historic files team which visits each district, more permanentstaff and fewer staff being seconded or re-deployed to other roles.
In respect of your application, Police records confirm that they received your application on 5 March
2022 and it was assigned to staff on 15 March 2022.
I acknowledge that a delay of 2 months is frustrating for you, however, we also recognise that Police
are dealing with a significant backlog of applications and have limited resources.
Because the Authority is satisfied that Police have taken action to reduce delays and your application appears to be progressing, we will take no further action.
Thank you for bringing these issues to our attention. Your file is now closed.

I haven't laid a complaint. I did receive a call promising action, but as of yesterday, my licence has expired, despite my complete application being submitted early January.

In some positive news, the ghastly referee questionnaire seems to be a thing of the past. They figured out that the interviewer can get all that info by asking your referee.... Who would have thought...

Yeah you've done it the nice and polite way (and gave them more time than me) whereas I have been rude and complained a lot

It seems that neither approach works as they don't respond or give a toss

I should have bitten the bullet and put my application in a year ago

Having successfully proven that despite prodding, the Police won't get their shit together in 2 1/2 months (which I think should be ample time) I now also have no license so bigger fool me, I guess

The police website suggested 6 months at the time I applied. I doubt they would have been able to meet that. The officer that called me did say that resourcing will be vastly better going forward, but that is cold comfort for me and you.

I should add that the police are becoming very frustrated with interviews being cancelled by applicants. If they call to schedule an interview, (either as a referee or as an applicant) whatever you do, be as accommodating as possible. Missing or cancelling your interview means some other fool like me gets pushed back even further. An example of one vettor - Out of eight interviews set up for his day, only one was completed. That is 12.5% of his workload completed for the day - and that is not Police's fault. 7 interviews have to be rescheduled, backing the entire system up another day. Throwing more money or staff at the problem won't make any difference.

Fair point and I do honour my promises regarding punctuality
Police suggested that it would be easiest if my mate who is my referee were to be at my place so they could interview me, him and the other half all at the same time and I'd be happy to do that

I'm not interested in hassling the ones who are trying to do their job, it's their bosses that need a kick up the arse

Originally Posted by 308

Police suggested that it would be easiest if my mate who is my referee were to be at my place so they could interview me, him and the other half all at the same time and I'd be happy to do that

Yeah, but then you aren't supposed to be there when they interview your referees, according to the vettor at my last renewal.

Step outside for a few minutes.

Have a mate that put his renewal in Feb 2021, asked that it be actioned reasonably promptly as he occasionally needs access to a firearm for work, Police agreed. As of tonight, 16 months later, he hasn't had his license renewed, nor any communications from police after his interviews.