Thread: Transfering rifle ownership, eyebrows raised!

Well, that was interesting to say the least.
About two weeks ago gave my son one of my firearms, So, as required I phoned the FSA to inform of the transaction, 5 minutes on hold, but no drama.
But wait, there's more!
Son tries to phone to carry out his end of the transaction. On lenghty hold, tries again etc etc. Tried four times to no avail.

Bear in mind that the call centre is only open between 8.30 and 5pm Monday to Friday.

Son receives an email from FSA. "You should have called by now" He replies "I did, four times, couldn't get through"
FSA, " You still need to call"
Yesterday he called again, on hold for 45 minutes but eventually got deed done.

I pose the question to the educated gentlemen on this forum:

The requirement to physically call the FSA to transfer firearm ownership would appear to be a statutory or regulatory requirement with strict liability. I.e. you either did or you didn't. So, when does that strict liability cease?

It also seems a little bizarre that you can register you rifles online, but not transfer ownership on line.

Whew, rant over.

What's your opinion?

I suspect the phone call is to guarantee it is you personally who is selling and 'them' who is purchasing, due to the qualifying questions asked.

Call at 8:30am... you'll usually get through quickly.

I doubt anything we said even if it is brilliant - common sense _ agreed by all it would not make one bloody iota of good - they will not take any notice so just suck it up its not that bad except for delays in contacting them

You're both right. The question remains though: " When does the strict liability cease?'
The caller in this situation is not requesting a service they are fulfilling a legal requirement.

Just transfered a rifle over this morning.
Rang at 8.38am was on hold for 6 or 7 mins, once I got through they were very helpful and got everything transfered over total time on phone was 13mins 41sec.

Still not sure why it can't be done online

It's not transferring ownership, it's location of the firearm that the registry records.
Having a rifle

I understand transferring online is coming - but might be a way off.

Seems something that wouldn't be too hard to implement, if the system is working. Like transferring a car.

I would reply to the email with
"I have rung four times, (listing dates and times) you need to answer".

I tried twice and they hung up on me - as much good as tits on a bull

It's a bit inconsistent the times and that. Their average response time is 8 minutes last thing I saw. and I don't doubt that. Rang them a few times recently and each time has been answered really quick. Only once was i on hold for about 20mins.

But even if it's a bit inconvenient at times I'm not in a hurry to complain. They will just want to charge you for it.
So I can live with a bit of on hold.
Some people will prefer a 10 or 20 dollar fee and better service.

I tried to contact them this evening from 4.30 till 5 pm to end up with a message saying call back tomorrow. I d say from 4.30 onward everyone in their office is ready to f .. off home and will probably let the lines rings till all are gone at 5.

I'd be inclined to screenshot each attempted call to show time/date, at least then there'd be records that effort has been made

I have had always good wait times normally do well driving and buying and selling gone easily. They have said online is being devolped but a long way away.

It is unfortunate. Early days I feel like they were making an effort to avoid controversy, and wait times were minimal to non-existant. These days there are regular lengthy queues. Combined with the limited open hours and no online option, it can be incredibly frustratuing. Maybe this is one non-controversial thing Hon McKee could do to improve our lives - increase capacity at the call centre and improve online.

I wonder how the deaf people get on dealing with it.