sidawson Posted July 22, 2014 Report Share Posted July 22, 2014 Hi, I recently put in my fac/sgc application and have received the confirmation letter back saying they have received it, there is also a letter in there that is addressed to my doctor saying that the firearms licencing manager has requested me to obtain a report form the doctor ( which they haven't actually asked me to do) and at the bottom it says "Once completed the report should be passed to the applicant for submission to the Firearms Licensing Unit. The question of payment should be dealt with between you and your patient. Now I was under the impression that if the police wanted a medical report they sent off and obtained it Plus is this just a copy of a letter they are sending to the doc or have they sent it to me by mistake? anyone else had this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victorismyhero Posted July 22, 2014 Report Share Posted July 22, 2014 contact BASC if you are a member Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gemini52 Posted July 22, 2014 Report Share Posted July 22, 2014 They are trying it on mate,if they require a medical report its up to them to foot the bill,as said above if you are a basc member they will sort it for you,if not it may pay to join,i had a problem about ten years ago and they were invaluable,i live on the wirral and i know full well how merseyside can be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kes Posted July 22, 2014 Report Share Posted July 22, 2014 (edited) David Basc has been asking to be informed where this happens - presumably he would be interested whether or not you are a member of BASC as his local members will also be affected eventually Edited July 22, 2014 by Kes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidawson Posted July 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2014 David Basc has been asking to be informed where this happens - presumably he would be interested whether or not you are a member of BASC as his local members will also be affected eventuaIly i haven't joined up yet that's one of the next things to do on my list as only doing club shooting at the mo i wasn't in too much of a rush to get insurance sorted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duckman91 Posted July 22, 2014 Report Share Posted July 22, 2014 It will probably be cheap,to join BASC rather than pay your doctor and then u have all the cover ect that goes with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted July 22, 2014 Report Share Posted July 22, 2014 PLEASE contact BASC even if you are still not a member. I know first hand that their Firearms Department WILL be interested to know about this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian g Posted July 23, 2014 Report Share Posted July 23, 2014 am on the wirral i also know how difficult certin people there can be but they never tried this one on me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidawson Posted July 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2014 PLEASE contact BASC even if you are still not a member. I know first hand that their Firearms Department WILL be interested to know about this. have sent them an email this morning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidawson Posted July 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2014 this is the response back from basc about them wanting me to pay for the report Mr Dawson, that is the current policy according to Home office guidance, the law does not require anybody in particular to pay for the report, the police deem that as you are wanting a certificate you should furnish them with sufficient details for them to determine whether you are a danger to public safety or not as required by the law.A GP should hopefully not charge his patient but if they do the cost will not be paid by the police.The medical situation is under review with the Home office and interested parties such as BASC, so we expect some changes in the future to the better.I hope this clarifies?Best wishes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted July 23, 2014 Report Share Posted July 23, 2014 this is the response back from basc about them wanting me to pay for the report Mr Dawson, that is the current policy according to Home office guidance, the law does not require anybody in particular to pay for the report, the police deem that as you are wanting a certificate you should furnish them with sufficient details for them to determine whether you are a danger to public safety or not as required by the law. A GP should hopefully not charge his patient but if they do the cost will not be paid by the police. The medical situation is under review with the Home office and interested parties such as BASC, so we expect some changes in the future to the better. I hope this clarifies? Best wishes So there you have it. This has been discussed in depth and at length. Your shooting organisation will NOT oppose this, as they can't, and the police are 'trying this on' simply because nowhere in HO guidance does it say they can't. Discussions have been ongoing for some time (and still are apparently) to resolve this issue, but ONLY to see who pays; the applicant or the police. You are under no legal obligation to comply with this request. All that is required of you is that you fill in the application honestly, and if required to add details of ANY medical condition which may require further investigation. It is then your licensing authorities obligation to contact your GP for the report and pay the subsequent fee, if your medical practise applies a fee. The only instances where your shooting organisation can/will intervene on behalf of a member is if the police state that your application may be delayed or refused if you do not comply, as this is unlawful. If you refuse to comply, and there is nothing in your history (medical or otherwise) which deems you of unsuitable character, then the police have no alternative but to grant your application. Your shooting organisation will do nothing to try and have your GP's fee reimbursed by your licensing authority if you comply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kes Posted July 23, 2014 Report Share Posted July 23, 2014 BASC clearly a let down after all David had said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malantone Posted July 23, 2014 Report Share Posted July 23, 2014 I can see the Polices` point of view, you want the certificate, you`ve got to supply the proof that you are a suitable candidate, hence referees and filling in the application form, why should the general public pay for a doctors letter so that you can have your shotgun certificate, its you that wants it. so pay for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les*1066 Posted July 23, 2014 Report Share Posted July 23, 2014 (edited) There seem to be more and more firearms departments around the country adopting this approach. The licence application doesn't ask you to provide a doctors letter - it just asks for your permission for them to do so, but as this is likely to cost them at least £25 a go, they are trying to get the applicant to foot the bill, which doesn't seem unreasonable to me. As already said, BASC will give you all the answers, but if it means the difference between getting a license or not getting one - at least in this lifetime - then I think I'd be inclined to pay the doctor a visit, but that's just me. Edited July 23, 2014 by Les*1066 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apache Posted July 23, 2014 Report Share Posted July 23, 2014 I would agree that if there is anything on your application or back ground check that may require a medical report then it should be the applicant who pays. I would not support the request for every SCG/FAC holder to supply a doctors letter at grant and renewal. I see it as a huge difference. This is the info the OP doesn't give. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted July 23, 2014 Report Share Posted July 23, 2014 I would agree that if there is anything on your application or back ground check that may require a medical report then it should be the applicant who pays. I would not support the request for every SCG/FAC holder to supply a doctors letter at grant and renewal. I see it as a huge difference. This is the info the OP doesn't give. Fair enough. However, it is ACPO's intention to push for GP's medical reports to be included as a matter of course, regardless of what an applicant declares (preferably with the cost met by the applicant) on renewals and applications as discussed during the last thread on this topic. Wait and see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted July 23, 2014 Report Share Posted July 23, 2014 they cant make you fill it in,speak to basc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted July 23, 2014 Report Share Posted July 23, 2014 I can see the Polices` point of view, you want the certificate, you`ve got to supply the proof that you are a suitable candidate, hence referees and filling in the application form, why should the general public pay for a doctors letter so that you can have your shotgun certificate, its you that wants it. so pay for it. bet a lot of people love you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave-G Posted July 23, 2014 Report Share Posted July 23, 2014 I rather though the police have to pay for ANY operational duties they are tasked to carry out, be it regarding offences, elderly ladies crossing the road or otherwise. We don't hear about criminals having to pay for investigation about their offences or for courts to be advised of their criminal history, or if road humps hinder their ability to carry out work, or if they have to go look for stolen property, or conduct a stake out etc - silly me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossberg-operator Posted July 23, 2014 Report Share Posted July 23, 2014 I rather though the police have to pay for ANY operational duties they are tasked to carry out, be it regarding offences, elderly ladies crossing the road or otherwise. We don't hear about criminals having to pay for investigation about their offences or for courts to be advised of their criminal history, or if road humps hinder their ability to carry out work, or if they have to go look for stolen property, or conduct a stake out etc - silly me. All those activities by the police are not chargeable against someone, this is because You are "skinable".... That is the difference! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malantone Posted July 23, 2014 Report Share Posted July 23, 2014 bet a lot of people love you. After 30yrs in the prison service I`m used to it, but it makes sense for the applicant to pay and not the public purse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckyshot Posted July 23, 2014 Report Share Posted July 23, 2014 this is the response back from basc about them wanting me to pay for the report Mr Dawson, that is the current policy according to Home office guidance, the law does not require anybody in particular to pay for the report, the police deem that as you are wanting a certificate you should furnish them with sufficient details for them to determine whether you are a danger to public safety or not as required by the law. A GP should hopefully not charge his patient but if they do the cost will not be paid by the police. The medical situation is under review with the Home office and interested parties such as BASC, so we expect some changes in the future to the better. I hope this clarifies? Best wishes Awaiting with great interest as to what David's thoughts are on this reply as he has always said BASC are against this, doesn't sound like it in that reply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spanj Posted July 23, 2014 Report Share Posted July 23, 2014 (edited) I can see the Polices` point of view, you want the certificate, you`ve got to supply the proof that you are a suitable candidate, hence referees and filling in the application form, why should the general public pay for a doctors letter so that you can have your shotgun certificate, its you that wants it. so pay for it. As has been said loads of times, the cert is for public safety and should therefore be funded by the public. If plod wants to charge thats fine but once granted the fee should be refunded. Edited to say I am under Merseyside and have not long had my renewal, no such thing for me. Personally I'll be refusing to pay it in 5 years time Edited July 23, 2014 by spanj Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted July 23, 2014 Report Share Posted July 23, 2014 i would give up shooting, than pay for that in 3 years time, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jam1e Posted July 23, 2014 Report Share Posted July 23, 2014 I'm not saying I agree with it, but £10 a year is very cheap for a sgc or fac ticket, considering the work that's involved in "Man hours". Especially if it's a person's first ticket... I'm surprised it's remained the price it has for so long! There are lots of license's that require a medical that the applicant has to pay for, HGV's.... Like I said, I'm not saying I think it's right, just another opinion.... Jamie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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