I have my exam for my FAL on may 1st, i'm unsure if there's anything i should be studying beforehand, can anyone provide reading material i can go through? Also general advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm pretty nervous.
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I have my exam for my FAL on may 1st, i'm unsure if there's anything i should be studying beforehand, can anyone provide reading material i can go through? Also general advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm pretty nervous.
Yeah bro this can help, never read it myself. Was a book back when I did mine and didn't have access.
Arms Code | New Zealand Police
Have a shave & get a haircut so you don't look like a terrorist :pacman:
Yeah i intend on doing both, might even wear a clean shirt who knows.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bonecrusher
Don't worry about studying. When I sat mine they handed out the exams and said "if you are unsure just leave it blank and bring it up to the front at the end", they then proceeded to coach people through what answer to put down while they marked it in front of you - Any answer you didn't know they gave you multiple attempts (noting it is a multi-choice exam) to get it right. If you still didn't know the answer they would tell you the answer and then mark it as correct.
And they wonder why idiots are shooting people.
There will be a practice exam at the back of the book
Or go on line. Police.govt.nz
Firearms section.
Do study up. Despite what the guys have said here, there ARE some arms officers who are a tad more picky. Preparing is the key. An honest attempt is recognised.
And dont scoff at the go looking clean and tidy advice. You do NOT want to resemble in any way the type they have to deal with late on Friday and Saturday nights!!!
Good luck, and take your time. Think about the Qs. There are one or two doozies
Will anti depressants make chances of getting the license problematic?
I definitely will study, i live in a dodgy part of auckland so i think the arms officer here is going to be quite strict.Quote:
Originally Posted by SiB
They often ask WHERE you intend to hunt. It’s a reasonable Q to establish you’re not readying for a zombie apocalypse, so be honest about your hunting intentions etc
My comments regarding not studying are in jest, anyone handling firearms should be well versed in the Arms Code and in particular the cardinal rules. That said, my comments regarding the testing leniency was unfortunately an accurate account. Other than the instructors/assessors, i'm pretty sure I was the only one in the room with English as a first language.
Don't stress at all just read the questions carefully. My wife has just passed hers and she just did as the others are suggesting and studied the code.
Good luck.
a few years back i introduced a chinese workmate to hunting, he got very keen and very fast to the point he had firearms on hold till he got his license, he even went so far as to travel from chch to ashburton to get it earlier. years later he is keen as and a bloody good guy as wellQuote:
Originally Posted by Dorkus
Yeah that fucked me off no end when I did mine.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dorkus
After reading that article on stuff the other day about the dude who had his license taken away for going on anti depressants my anxiety about the whole thing has gone through the roof. Like i know with 110% certainty i'm all good, and so does everyone around me but will they think the same? Shit's making me super nervous cos i've worked really hard to get to this point.
I've got one to run tonight. We don't give answers to any of the questions. We may help explain a question if the applicant doesn't understand it although we won't give any help on any of the seven basic safety rule questions.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dorkus
To the OP, just study the code thoroughly and you can't go wrong.
Re anti-depressants
That you acted and asked here shows rational thinking.
That those around you are aware you use ADs will no doubt be fully supportive too
You can only do your best. Tell the truth.
If, just if the Arms Officer raises it as a concern, ask constructive questions; eg “can you advise me what information I might also provide to reassure you regarding this”.
The screening Qs asked to your sponsors are quite focussed on mental health. If they’re 100% confident in their support of your application that goes a long way.
Now that you've mentioned it on the internet it might.Quote:
Originally Posted by Angus_A
Just declare it. Unless you want to take the chance of lying to the cops on an official form.
If you get found out doing that you're probably fucked.
Angus, I look forward to reading that you aced the test and your licence is in the mail.
It’s been a long time getting to this point and I wish you well.
The other point worth keeping in mind Angus is that you’re not alone.... there’s a whole lot of us will know someone who like you, appreciates the fact that there are medications that bring life back into perspective and simply enable the ‘worry demons’ to be quietened.
I think some people here are getting confused between the Police Safety Test (some of which is still conducted by the Mountain Safety Council) and the vetting interview for a firearms licence. Most people sit and pass the safety test before they apply for a licence.
All good advice though as regards the vetting process.
Yes. Good point. They are separate and distinct.
I'm going to add my father as one of my references as he's a mental health professional and will be able to vouch for me i think.
Unsure who to pick for my second, can you have more than 2?
Angus the test is just a test nothing about your personal situation such as where you live or medication etc enters the equation.
Just learn up, your posts indicate an intelligent sensitive person with a sense of humor so the test should be no trouble its not ncea so ace it athen boast about it here. PS there is no dress code so a new shirt may be overkill.
PPS If I was running the course possum rendang or whores pasta would assure a pass mark (-:
Thats is exactly what happened to me too. pretty insulting really.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dorkus
The second should preferably be a firearms license holder, and even better, someone you have hunted with.
Maturity counts, so personally I’d suggest you avoid asking someone ‘young’. Someone your parents age is good Your boss/foreman can be an option. I’ve referenced a couple of my employees.
Yes your dad sounds ideal. I believe you have to nominate one family member anyways.....
Make sure to ask, and discuss your intended application with whoever you nominate. They have to sign off the paperwork anyway but caution them the vetting process can take a while. Months.
About antidepressant, bottom line is you get it from your doctor, that means when you fell ill... you sought professional help. That is one big safety tick in your box.
Depression as such not a bar, a real history of suicidality or violence not good news. When I mean real suicidality, we are talking more than just thinking it would be great to beamed out of here by Scotty, but more active suicidality -- like toying with plans, buying rope, writing a farewell note, etc. In the end, once you have passed your test, you'll get someone interviewing you, your partner, your referee. You'll probably be asked to have your doctor send a note to the Arms Officer dealing with your application. I had some history myself, so had my GP send a note to the AO. I asked my GP to just write what he thought best and send it to AO without running it by me first.
Coming back to the exam, the questions are about SAFETY SAFETY SAFETY.
Go for the SAFETY answer, not the answer that seems right but is not about safety.
E.g. semi auto rifle drawbacks:
(1) every time you pull the trigger they will fire.
(2) because you can do quick follow-up shots, shooters may take less care when taking aim at an animal.
Which question is the correct one? Well, in real life both (1) and (2) can be real problems with semi-autos. But this is an exam about Firearm SAFETY, so the correct answer in a SAFETY context is (1). Any consolation, I remember that one because I got it "wrong" and selected (2).
Good luck. If you are a smoker, smoke a couple cigs immediately before the course and exam - it will sharpen you. If you are not a smoker, don't.
In the end the course it not about being clever, it is about being safe. It is not a firearms course, it is a firearms safety course. Don't lose sight of that.
I was going to use my girlfriends father as my second, he's been a license holder for 30+ years, a range safety officer and he and i hunt together frequently. In fact he's the main reason i really kicked my process to get the license into high gear.Quote:
Originally Posted by SiB
I bet you are gonna cook up a mean feast for all your pals on the forum after you blast your first meat pack! maybe a meat cake?Quote:
Originally Posted by Moutere
All questions refer back in some way to the 7 basic safety rules. Know them off by heart don't stress and you will be fine
Girlfriends father sounds like the perfect choice as a ref.
As the lads have said, don't get wound up over the test, just study it and go for it. Guy getting marked next to me got a second pop at a question, he got it wrong second time so that was him gone. most were dressed as if they were going straight into the bush after the test, so dress sense didn't seem to matter.
Your last sentence there is a cause for concern, I think. Welcome to NZ, I suppose...Quote:
Originally Posted by Dorkus
You bet your ass i will.Quote:
Originally Posted by 40mm
Perfect choice.Quote:
Originally Posted by Angus_A
Oh boy! ill bring the tomato sauce!!!!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Angus_A
You bring that tucker fucker anywhere near my food and you'll lose yourself a plate :pissed off:Quote:
Originally Posted by 40mm
“Tucker fucker”. Love it
This. Only real advice that will count will be your knowledge of these 7 rules. Get these mastered and nailed and the test almost becomes self explanatory. Memorise these rules. KNOW these rules forwards, backwards. Understand them. Do this and you will be fine with the test. And as mentioned it is a Firearms Safety test with the emphasis on safety. If you are unsure which answer might apply the best think of this question for your instructor..."What is this question asking?" That will get you clarification around what they are looking for.Quote:
Originally Posted by Paddy79
It all comes down to the SEVEN BASIC RULES.