eightlittlebits

It's how I read the following. I read that as none that initially replied have said the funds would not be ringfenced, one has said only partially though. 4 more have since positively replied that funds will be ringfenced.

As Tightchoke has said it's disappointing that they've not all replied but it's encouraging to see that those that have replied do at least seem to be on board with directing the funding to where it's intended.

I guess the obvious question is which ones? Of the remaining 35 did they not respond at all or actually respond that they would not be using/ringfencing the increased fees to improve firearms licensing?

It appears to be a somewhat sensationalised headline. Banks raise concerns over benefit debt recovery powers - BBC News As I understand it they're being given powers to recover money owed from fraud/incorrect benefits directly from bank accounts. Normally they would reduce any benefit payments or recover it through PAYE. If neither of these are a thing they're saying they can go direct to the bank to recover the money.

The consultation is allegedly still being analysed... Firearms licensing: sound moderators - GOV.UK

Sent this morning in NE Hampshire.

The consultation is still outstanding, while they "are analysing your feedback". https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/firearms-licensing-sound-moderators

Nothing quite as much as that but at least a little visibility, according to the countryside alliance at 2025 – what to expect from a shooting legislation point of ...:

Not as bad as feared. Circular 001/2025: Firearms (Variation of Fees) Order 2025 - GOV.UK Licence type Fee for full-cost recovery Grant of firearms certificate £198 Renewal of firearm certificate £131 Grant of shotgun certificate £194 Renewal of shotgun certificate £126 And in the written statement announcing it: Written statements - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament The Government’s manifesto commitment refers to the money raised by full cost recovery fees being used to support youth interventions to prevent serious violence. However, we have decided instead that firearms fees income must be retained by police forces to support improvements in police firearms licensing. Delivering the youth interventions element of the manifesto commitment remains a priority and will be funded by the Home Office.

I think it's another postcode lottery, some police forces are asking since birth, others less. The sooner they realise that they can either do it themselves for a reasonable fee, or supply them for nothing, the better. Someone local to me asked and was quoted a daft price for the GP to do it, then got a phone call from the GP asking why the records were being requested by a third party.

No, there will be "bio-wads" that degrade in an unknown timeframe sometime in the future. Costing £440/1000... Of course, they took into account the "economic impact", ignoring anyone that actually buys cartridges... All in the name of progress, or at least in the name of protecting commercial game shoots.

I believed it was to do with containing the shot and preventing the steel shot potentially contacting and scoring the barrels. I understood this was why they were all working on the bio-degradable wads with varying levels of success. Would be curious to know if there's any reason that the shot couldn't sit in a simpler "cup" on top of the fibre wad to contain it, rather than a full specialised wad. Would surely be cheaper than a full wad?

Fair, was just trying to see where it sat in the product range. RRP looks slightly higher than the 690 and I can't see new 692 any more?

New product line launched today from Beretta, the 688 Performance. Black Laminate Sporter by the look if it, seems to sit between the 686 and 694. https://www.beretta.com/en/firearms/firearms-family/688-performance

As I understand it they're a permitted target species under General Licence 41. It explicitly allows as a method of control "shoot with any firearm, including ‘semi-automatic weapons’[footnote 8], shotguns or air guns" Footnote 8: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wild-birds-licence-to-kill-or-take-for-public-health-or-safety-gl41/gl41-general-licence-to-kill-or-take-certain-species-of-wild-birds-to-preserve-public-health-or-public-safety