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Some info below that may be of interest, particularly to those in Thames Valley. Firearms update given by TVP Firearms Licencing Manager, Zoe Evans to the Thames Valley Rural Crime Meeting held at the end of June. Please note, I was NOT present at the meeting, so don't ask me any questions! I only received the following info by email and link to the update below. Nothing below is confidential, all info in the public domain. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The Firearms Licensing Manager, Zoey Evans, attended the quarterly Rural Crime Meeting on 24/06/2019. 4. Update on Firearms Applications/Firearms Licensing Review. ZE ZE advised over the last 10 months the department has been subjected to a fundamental review, which has looked at staffing levels, volume of work, streamlining possibilities. Any recommendations will be made to CCMT at the end of the month and ZE will update attendees at the next meeting. Performance Data Turnaround times are very good and the department is meeting all of their targets, however ZE stressed that the department was currently in a non-peak year and we go into a peak renewal period in September 2019. From August to September 2019, applications (combined firearm and shot gun) will increase by 173%. ZE explained that volume/demand analysis had been carried out on a non-peak (2018) versus a peak year (2016) and the overall increase in all applications was 115%. The increase in other administration work (not applications) was 62%. The department is trying to level out the peaks and non-peaks and have started an "Early renewal project". The project is working and the volume of work is starting to level out for the next 5 year cycle (2024). The fees for an application are relatively low to encourage certificate holders to participate in the project, and will not increase. Departmental Costings The costs for running the Firearms Licensing Department are:- Firearms Licensing Expenditure and Income for financial year – 01/04/2018 – 31/03/2019:  Total running costs (expenditure) – £915,371  Total firearms licensing income – £326,434  Total cost incurred by TVP (public purse) - £588,938 Single Online Home Platform – online applications Certificates (grant and renewal) can now be obtained by applying on line. Thames Valley Police are one of three Forces that are piloting this. Due to a few technical issues, it has not been extended to all Forces, and therefore we are unable to put out any communications out around this. ZE stated that applying on line is a far more efficient process, both for the applicant and the department, and she would encourage applicants to move towards this process rather than applying via paper/post. When the online application system is fit for purpose, there will be a recommendation to CCMT to make it that the department only accepts on line applications. Attendees agreed that this was a sensible way forward. ZE explained that the department also offers an Online Weekly Surgery for those members of the public who would like to apply on line but do not feel that they have the knowledge, skills and/or access to a computer. Firearms Licensing Fees It was raised that the Thames Valley Police postal system does not help with the process of applying for a certificate. It was also raised by an attendee that it was his personal opinion that the Shot gun certificate fee should increase. The CLA are not in favour of this, but the NFU are. It was suggested that:  Applicants should pay the full amount for an early renewal application, not the current £25 fee.  The certificate should be extended to 10 years and increase the fee. ZE explained that the early renewal fee would not increase as the reduced fee is set as an incentive for certificate holders to apply early. With regards to the certificate extension (to 10 years) this would have to be a Home Office, not local force, decision. Medical Process Medical certificates: ZE advised as of 1 August 2019 there is a new policy being introduced in Thames Valley Police Firearms Licensing, which does not comply with Home Office guidance, for pre-medical application screening. Applicants will need to submit a GP pro forma with their application form for grants and renewal applications. If we do not have the applicant’s medical information, the application may be refused. This information has been updated on the force website and a list of FAQ’s has been circulated on the firearms licensing text alert group and via renewal letters. No concerns were raised regarding this change of process apart from the inconsistency of the GP fees charged across the Thames Valley area. ZE confirmed the BMA are currently in the process of agreeing on a recommended fee range that GP’s can refer to. Firearms Licensing Text Alert Group ZE advised Firearms Licensing have their own group text alerts and encouraged the group to sign up to it to receive regular updates. Instructions on how to join this group will be circulated to all attendees or can be found on Thames Valley Police website. Robin Edwards offered his thanks to the Firearms Licensing Team and complemented them on their improved service. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Original source link to access the minutes of the update at this meeting - Rural Crime Meeting - 24/06/2019

Just received an alert ping through from TVP regarding a "requirement" to submit a Medical Form along with any licence application or renewal; Information notice - Changes to Medical Information You are now required to provide medical information verified by a GP for all firearm and shotgun applications - this includes renewals. This applies to any application, whether declaring a medical condition or not. The change is being implemented to enable the Police to make informed decisions which will protect both the shooting community and the wider public. The change will mean a consistent and fair process for all applicants, and will assist in improving application processing times. The fact you have a condition may not necessarily mean your application is refused. However, a false declaration could result in your prosecution, or your application being refused, or your existing license being revoked and your firearms or shotguns being seized. This change will affect any application submitted from 1st August 2019. FAQs When will this new medical process start? The introduction of a pre application medical screening will come into effect on 1st August 2019. What does this mean for you, the applicant? On applying for the grant or renewal of a firearm/shot gun/RFD application (online or paper) all applicants will be required to submit with their application a completed GP pro forma that has been agreed between Thames Valley Police and the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Local Medical Committees (LMCs). This pro forma can be found on the Thames Valley Police website or can be obtained direct from your GP. Who contacts my GP? Applicants will be responsible for contacting their GP for this information. What happens if I do not submit the pre medical screening information? Applications received without the applicant’s medical information (GP pro forma) will be returned to the applicant with a request to submit this information. If the application is received again without this supporting documentation the application may be refused. Why are Thames Valley Police implementing this change in policy? The Firearms Act 1968 (as amended) and Home Office Guidance states that before granting or renewing a firearm/shot gun certificate the Chief Officer of Police needs to be satisfied that applicants can be permitted to have the firearm(s)/shot guns/ammunition without danger to the public safety or to the peace. Details that are required in order to make an informed decision on an applicant’s suitability, includes information relating to their medical history. The current medical process in place may leave a substantial gap in the available information and intelligence assessed at the point of grant or renewal. Medical evidence is pivotal to police decision making. The introduction of a pre application medical screening will ensure that the firearms licensing department has all the relevant available information as to the suitability of the applicant prior to grant or renewal. This will help to mitigate risk as far as reasonably practicable. This single process will also make the process more streamlined and quicker for applicants, as the police will no longer have to contact the GP and await a reply. Why is Thames Valley Police not complying with Home Office Guidance on this matter? Whilst Home Office Guidance is intended to assist with consistency of practice between forces it is Chief Officers who are ultimately responsible for the administration of firearms licensing in their force area. Home Office Guidance acknowledges this and understands that it may be necessary for forces to depart from the guidance when each case is assessed on its merits and the circumstances justify such a course of action. Home Office Guidance also has no statutory footing and our legal advice is that if harm was done as a result of the police issuing a certificate the responsibility for failing to properly manage the risk, would from a legal perspective, fall to the police. Will there be a fee from my GP? Guidance from the BMA and LMC is very clear that this type of work falls outside of the NHS remit and as such surgeries will request a fee from the applicant. Message Sent By Zoe Powderly (Police, Manager, Firearms Licensing )