Scully Posted November 3, 2013 Report Share Posted November 3, 2013 Does anyone know if this issue was resolved one way or another? I only ask as West Mercia licensing are now insisting each applicant contacts their GP, requests a letter to submit to licensing and then pays for the privilege. Also the CPSA has advised one of its members to comply with this request/demand (?) as to do otherwise could result in either delays or refusal to grant. I'll be ringing BASC this week to see if they can shed any light, but is this a legal requirement? Anyone know? Don't we already sign applications to give licensing authorities permission to approach our GP's? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
la bala Posted November 3, 2013 Report Share Posted November 3, 2013 i thought BASC said dont go along with it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fl206 Posted November 3, 2013 Report Share Posted November 3, 2013 BASC's latest magazine says not to comply on page 103. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phaedra1106 Posted November 3, 2013 Report Share Posted November 3, 2013 The short answer is no it's not a legal requirement. It's not a requirement under the firearms act or the recently published Home Office guidance. Durham started doing the same thing a while ago. BASCs position (according to David on here) is here, http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/topic/262618-attn-david-basc-durham-medical-info-proceedure/page-3 Basically it says they advise members "not to not do it" but they won't say a definitive yes or no. However, if you do or don't do it and have a problem let them know. Which to be honest is a bit late if you did do it and have had to pay for something that's not required by law. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VicW Posted November 3, 2013 Report Share Posted November 3, 2013 From my recent experience medical reports are being asked for by more and more Firearms Licensing offices. They have to pay for them but have been rather shocked to find that Doctors are asking as much as £100 per letter. This is an expense they cannot afford as they only get £50/£40 per application /renewal. I was told by my Licensing office that they are considering introducing a scheme whereby the applicant gets the medical report and pays for it and then submits it as part of their application. This introduction of the need for a medical report seems to have been introduced through the back door but on whose authoritiy? Vic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted November 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2013 Many thanks all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Therealchucknorris Posted November 3, 2013 Report Share Posted November 3, 2013 I'm currently going through my application for an FAC with Wiltshire and there has been no mention of my GP, letter or otherwise. My FLO visit went well and I had the rifles I've asked for signed off. I'm just awaiting the actual cert to land on my doormat now. I would say that it doesn't seem to have spread to all licensing authorities as yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old_n07 Posted November 3, 2013 Report Share Posted November 3, 2013 I wasn't asked for a letter by Staffs and it wasn't mentioned on the visit last week either so it is very hit and miss Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kes Posted November 3, 2013 Report Share Posted November 3, 2013 in my renewal earlier this year the only GP question was -" do you agree that we contact your GP" standard stuff really. Basc needs to start a national campaign about this. £100 is stupid money and it should be a simple - police to doctor " X has applied to own and use a firearm, is there any medical reason why he should not" ? If the answer is yes - ok a letter to judge; if not great. How much would that cost surgery admin to arrange, confirm by e-mail and put on file? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet1747 Posted November 3, 2013 Report Share Posted November 3, 2013 When I applied for my tickets I had been of depression tablets about four months they got in touch with my GP and asked them if I was ok to hold FAC and SGC ,when I had my interview that brought the letter with them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
filzee Posted November 4, 2013 Report Share Posted November 4, 2013 I was under the impression that they can ask for a letter but if the GP charges for it the police would be the ones to pay for it as its not legally required. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kes Posted November 4, 2013 Report Share Posted November 4, 2013 I was under the impression that they can ask for a letter but if the GP charges for it the police would be the ones to pay for it as its not legally required. At the moment that seems to be true but clearly Durham are taking the next step and asking us to pay. For a REQUIRED system to protect the public, all of this should be streamlined to keep costs to a mimimum and paid for by the police and the public purse - we cant control what they do,ask, any of the costs involved and licensing cannot become a blank cheque - how many could afford such a system and where else does this logic apply ? The NHS is public purse and should be seen as a FREE part of the system required for public protection. Come on BASC start on Durham - the most inefficient useless force who cant do Firearms licensing properly. Shades of a 'party' in a brewery. Lets have this medical cost nightmare nailed closed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
countryman Posted November 4, 2013 Report Share Posted November 4, 2013 Unless this becomes Law no one should comply with this, those that do are going to causing more red tape and expense for all of us as other forces follow. With regard to BASC, they need to be much more vocal on this. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted November 4, 2013 Report Share Posted November 4, 2013 I would enclose a letter with application stating it isn't part of the legislation, or guidance and they have your GPs details and are able to contact them directly, didn't the GMC say to GP's not to write these letters as GP's can't give an opinion (doesn't stop many doing so) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonathanL Posted November 4, 2013 Report Share Posted November 4, 2013 Unless this becomes Law no one should comply with this, those that do are going to causing more red tape and expense for all of us as other forces follow. With regard to BASC, they need to be much more vocal on this. Chris Agreed entirely. The only requirement in law is that you sign the medical authorisation on the official form. Licensing departments should not be employing additional forms or asking applicants to meet extralegal requirements. J. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kes Posted November 4, 2013 Report Share Posted November 4, 2013 It an unusual day - everyone agrees - buit do we all agree that BASC should DO something on our behalf rather than simply issue advice - its a case of divide and rule but if BASC voiced our collective concerns ? We are the most law abiding section of the UK community are we not ? Otherwsie we dont get to join this club of 150,000 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROBLATCH Posted November 4, 2013 Report Share Posted November 4, 2013 as far as i,m aware durham are doing it a a six month pilot scheme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kes Posted November 4, 2013 Report Share Posted November 4, 2013 as far as i,m aware durham are doing it a a six month pilot schemeAll the more reason for BASC to ensure its Kicked into touch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted November 4, 2013 Report Share Posted November 4, 2013 why are some aloud to make it up,and some times get away with it,the yanks dont know how lukey they are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted November 4, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 4, 2013 the yanks dont know how lukey they are. Oh yes they do. The only thing they find baffling is why we sit back and let it happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted November 4, 2013 Report Share Posted November 4, 2013 that is very true.they stand for no ****, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveK Posted November 4, 2013 Report Share Posted November 4, 2013 All the more reason for BASC to ensure its Kicked into touch. Why just BASC? I'd have thought this was an issue for a combined front, BASC, CA, SACS, NGO, etc. to all stand up to it together on behalf of their combined members. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted November 4, 2013 Report Share Posted November 4, 2013 It an unusual day - everyone agrees - buit do we all agree that BASC should DO something on our behalf rather than simply issue advice - its a case of divide and rule but if BASC voiced our collective concerns ? We are the most law abiding section of the UK community are we not ? Otherwsie we dont get to join this club of 150,000 600k if looking at SGC holders............. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/firearm-and-shotgun-certificates-in-england-and-wales-2011-to-2012 There were 562,696 shotgun certificates on issue on 31 March 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonathanL Posted November 4, 2013 Report Share Posted November 4, 2013 570,726 as of this year. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/232202/hosb0313.pdf J. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cottonseed Posted November 5, 2013 Report Share Posted November 5, 2013 as far as i,m aware durham are doing it a a six month pilot scheme As a proven bunch of muppets they should be stopped. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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