Pops_Hants

Update for anyone who is interested, I emailed Hants Firearms today the following, As communicated December 23rd 2021, applications for new Shotgun Grants were suspended to allow Hampshire Police to support NHS colleagues during the Omicron emergency boost programme.With the news that all Covid restrictions, including mandatory isolation are to end Thursday 24th February, does this mean that Hampshire Police & staff will no longer be supporting an Omicron booster programme, thus allowing for the application of new grants to reopen? The reply, Good Afternoon MrInitially the suspension of grants was due to covid restrictions as we couldn't carry out home visits. Now we have some resourcing issues but we're busy recruiting so hopefully we will be able to provide a full service again in the next few months. Not that I am skeptic at all, but I thought I'd check out the Hants careers page for current postings. I couldn't find anything specifically relating to the Firearms Team, only a Researcher and Analyst who would specialise in Rural Crime. https://careers.newjob.org.uk/HC/go/All-Hampshire-Constabulary-Jobs/3196101/ Looks like we'll be waiting a while longer for the applications to reopen again. If they don't reopen ahead of July then I'll need a new Med Cert which will be a right ball ache as my Doctors gave me my last one for free by accident (I offered to pay at the time). Might get charged double next time haha!

I was about the same, submitted my initial application Oct 27th. I emailed them 20th Jan asking if they were going to open applications again as the government eased restrictions but got a swift reply saying the suspension was still in place and that was it. No idea when they'll reopen them. Even if they reopen soon I dread to think how long the wait could be. I was shooting at the weekend and chatting to the instructor in Dorset there was someone waiting 18 months!

Sadly that was posted in December, so I don’t think this makes much if any difference. it’s one thing that confused me, my application was already 60 days in with medical etc. Why not just keep it on the back burner until reopened. I can guess the answer in reality but still, wishful thinking n all. thanks for the replies though Rob, always informative 👍🏼

Ah I see, This highlights a good point, how different constabularies run. When I lived in Essex my partners Mum worked for the council, and could tell me which cameras were operational as her department processed the static cameras (not that she did, else I’d of avoided a drivers awareness course! Haha). It’s obviously different for Hampshire and other constabularies. The same is true for licensing, some have closed new applicants and some have not. When all is said and done, for me I am applying as a hobbyist so I am accepting of delays etc.

Hants are still processing renewals. I’ve just heard back also. No change, sign up to marketing to be told when. I have a suspicion they will want to churn through a number of renewals before opening up grants again. We were still under the ‘Plan B’ guidelines and there was a booster drive ongoing. I’m not saying right or wrong, but i can just see where it’s being driven from. why they can’t run the service similar to hospitality I don’t know, proof of a negative lateral flow within 24 hours prior to your visit and wear a mask when they visit. I’m sure most it not all would comply as we all want our grants / renewals approved.

I’ve dropped them an email today, I’m also signed up to their email alerts. Just chomping at the bit to be ‘independent’ so to speak. I’m with you, I always remember they’re only following instructions, no matter your feelings towards the decision being rude to anyone isn’t acceptable nor will it gain you any advantage in gaining your desired result. Manners cost nothing. They did. DVLA stopped tests during lockdown or when a county went into Tier 4. Whilst I understand frustrations, and that these organizations are providing a public service, during covid it was government advice, and sometimes law to suspend these activities during the worst peaks of covid.

Different department I think mate. I don't know if the firearms admin teams are officers (I assume maybe not?), but I don't imagine they are used for sending out speeding tickets. If it's a static camera these are often processed by local council's, as it's an admin review. If it is a mobile camera that sends it in the post it is police staff that often man the cameras. Only if you're physically stopped is it a police officer.

So after Hampshire closed applications basically naming Covid as the reason, I wonder if they will open new applications again once Plan B measures end next Thursday. I'm hoping so as I was 60 days in when they suspended new applications and returned my application.

I got my Medical information back within 24 hours when I submitted it to my GP. They wanted to charge me but as someone had not put a price on it and a standard price list didn't exist they just ended up giving it to me, I did offer to come back and pay whatever was necessary if they found out down the line. I didn't get a call but I do know the admin supervisor and in the next team meeting apparently the manager went nuts because "someone got a shotgun medical form free". Needless to say the pricing list still isn't updated! Doesn't matter now anyway as my application was returned to me because Hants have suspended all new grant applications. Just hoping they reopen prior to the certificated being too old now!

Thanks Rob, That's really kind of you. I'm lucky that I have a local friend who shoots so I'm already going to Chalky Hill on the 2nd Jan - if you're free then pop along and say hi, you'll have someone who can button for you at least! After that, I'm allowed to rent and walk on my own around Chalky, so looks like I'll be doing that for the foreseeable!

Hiya, New one mate, I had my GP complete it at the end of October. I think that's a bit of bumf rather than actual fact. It goes on to say about reduced home visits, how transmissible omicron is etc etc.

Just posted this on another thread as well, but anyone who has already submitted their grant will be having it returned to them. I just received this email, Dear applicant I am sorry to inform you that your grant application has been returned and refunded as we have currently suspended the grant application process. I know that you will be disappointed with this decision, however the Chief Constable has taken this approach in order to support our NHS colleagues, who are participating in the Omicron Emergency Boost programme. In addition, it is also important that as a public and emergency service we take proportionate and sensible decisions around employee distancing to maintain our resilience levels, not only within our own department, but in other areas of the force. The levels of Omicron transmission are increasing at a significant rate and in order to minimise the risk of cross contamination the Firearms Licensing staff will be minimising any home and/or site visits until further notice. This means that our priority will remain focused on public safety and processing renewal applications to ensure that certificate holders do not fall into unlawful possession. If you have already obtained your medical information with a view to submitting a grant application, please be reassured that we will accept this when the grant portal reopens - provided the document was completed no more than 8 months prior to application and there has been no change in your medical conditions.

56 days into my grant application and I receive an email this morning, "Dear applicant I am sorry to inform you that your grant application has been returned and refunded as we have currently suspended the grant application process. I know that you will be disappointed with this decision, however the Chief Constable has taken this approach in order to support our NHS colleagues, who are participating in the Omicron Emergency Boost programme." I've been advised I can re-apply with my original GP's signed off medical information providing it is not >8 months old. Disappointed and somewhat fed up, but there's bigger things to worry about so will just re-apply when it opens again.

I'm currently waiting on an application made for a grant from Hampshire Constabulary. I emailed today for an update and whilst I got a response, nothing was mentioned about delayed grants. If Hants are pausing grants it wouldn't be the first force to do so, https://basc.org.uk/north-yorkshire-police-in-breach-of-statutory-duty-says-basc/

Indeed, I'd heard video conference was used during the lockdown / no household mixing period so potentially a way forwards. I'm based in Portsmouth

Just got a reply from Hants after emailing to check on it, "We do have your application here, and discussions are currently ongoing with management as to handle the situation because, as a force, we are trying to reduce the need for home visits. Certainly no home visits for grant applications will be carried out in December and we will be in touch shortly about how we will be dealing with applications such as yours, which are waiting for a visit." Seems odd if I am honest, I understand covid etc but if they're trying to reduce home visits ongoing, then I'm a bit confused.

Oh dear, Do we know the reasons why? I assume Covid of course, but is it a reduced workforce or some other reasoning behind it? I had read on Hampshire's website that they recommend not applying until Feb if you do not already have your doctors certificate as surgeries are prioritising booster jabs, but I got mine back in October, well before Omicron was even a thing.

Thanks Tonka, I had read Robs experience, his was about 4 1/2 months, although had interview pretty quickly. Hampshire was quoted as one of the more reasonable waiting times according Shooting UK, however that was published pre covid, so all bets are off I think. I'm lucky that I have some friends with SGC's so I can go with them. It's fun, but not quite the same as I think everyone understands. Phwoar, that's some waiting time! Does the FAC take longer compared to an SGC? Whilst I am all for the regulations, and a reasonable waiting time (stops the impulsive nature of the sport), there does come a point where it just seems to be over complicated.

Almost 8 weeks into my application (54 days) with Hampshire Constabulary. I wasn't really noticing the wait too much until I recently went to Chalky Hill and it's reignited the excitement and sporting aspect. I know my reference hasn't been contact either, I expect admin wouldn't been slowing down from last week until the new year, but hopeful to hear some progress soon!

I'm interested to hear how quickly your home visit was scheduled after making your application? I made mine last week, wondering when the interview might be.