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New firearms licensing guidance for GPs.


Wb123
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I got to see the latest advice for GPs from various medical bodies for dealing with requests for information re firearms licensing.

 

I'm a bit disappointed as it seems unlikely to get rid of the problem all together, with the earlier negotiating panel being unfamiliar with the words 'sod right off' a complete withdrawal of involvement would be difficult to make work.

 

I suspect the end result will be the police not issuing until they receive a suitable letter which most places will charge for, perhaps it is a step towards removing medical input though if shooters and shooting bodies react appropriately.

 

It should go public in the next day or two, watch this space.

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Do you mean this, dated 3rd March........https://www.bma.org.uk/advice/employment/ethics/ethics-a-to-z/firearms, or are you privy to something not yet in the public domain.

 

I say it again. The BMA are scum.

 

Here is an extract from a sample letter for declining to respond to a licence request:

 

Thank you for your request for medical information relating to the above named individual for the purposes of assessing them for suitability in issuing them with a firearms certificate.

I refuse to provide a report because I have a conscientious objection to the holding of firearms.

I am aware of my responsibilities and obligations under GMC guidance on conscientious objection.

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In the past my GP has signed my application for a certificate and not charged a fee, I understand others had paid a GP to sign the application for a certificate so if the GP wants to charge for a certificate then perhaps they should also be the one who signs the declaration on the application. So might it be an idea to make an appointment to see your GP for the purpose of signing your application and once done there is no need for the Police to have any further letter?

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Guest stevo

In the past my GP has signed my application for a certificate and not charged a fee, I understand others had paid a GP to sign the application for a certificate so if the GP wants to charge for a certificate then perhaps they should also be the one who signs the declaration on the application. So might it be an idea to make an appointment to see your GP for the purpose of signing your application and once done there is no need for the Police to have any further letter?

I wish I had thought of doing this two weeks ago when I had to to mine. I got charged £25 for a docs letter.

Edited by stevo
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I say it again. The BMA are scum.

 

Here is an extract from a sample letter for declining to respond to a licence request:

 

Thank you for your request for medical information relating to the above named individual for the purposes of assessing them for suitability in issuing them with a firearms certificate.

I refuse to provide a report because I have a conscientious objection to the holding of firearms.

I am aware of my responsibilities and obligations under GMC guidance on conscientious objection.

I don't see a problem with this? Unless I'm missing something?

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Guest stevo

I don't see a problem with this? Unless I'm missing something?

If the doctor felt he/she could not complete the letter as he felt he/ she was not qualified to do so is one thing and that's fine. However failing to do the letter though personal feeling is quite another.

The question asked is weather the doctors feels there is a medical / mental reason only. And of course any claim by doctor would still need to be backed up with evidence for any impending appeal.

Edited by stevo
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Thank you for your request for medical information relating to the above named individual for the purposes of assessing them for suitability in issuing them with a firearms certificate.

I refuse to provide a report because I have a conscientious objection to the holding of firearms.

I am aware of my responsibilities and obligations under GMC guidance on conscientious objection.

Crack on - No medical means no fee to row about

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If the doctor felt he/she could not complete the letter as he felt he/ she was not qualified to do so is one thing and that's fine. However failing to do the letter though personal feeling is quite another.

The question asked is weather the doctors feels there is a medical / mental reason only. And of course any claim by doctor would still need to be backed up with evidence for any impending appeal.

Everyone has a right to their ethical belief.

 

The police would just ask another dr surely.

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I'd be equally concerned about the opinions expressed in https://www.bma.org.uk/connecting-doctors/the_practice/b/weblog/posts/updated-firearms-guidance-for-gps

 

Mark Sanford-Wood is the Firearms Task & Finish Group Lead and yet is either deliberately seeking to distort the cost argument or is in reality completely ignorant. Consultants might be able to routinely afford a slab of Bismuth but I've yet to meet anyone who buys the stuff. Not even an attempt to suggest a standardised price for the initial letter to make it all go away. He mentions "a de facto transfer of NHS resources from the sick to shotgun owners" - do those sick include the legions of the self inflicted? All manner of people access the NHS for things that it could be argued should be self funded so he is most wrong to single our sport out as especially 'grasping'. £500 is a cheap lunchtime bottle of wine in a club for city types to encourage their gout but I bet he'll give 10 minutes to a red-nosed banker without a second thought.

 

"distress and anxiety" - How wet we have become as a society.

 

Medical NOT mandatory for leisure diving if outside of a club environment (although advisable given the physical stress imposed). Pilots tend to crash if they fall ill with far reaching consequences. Unless he intends a medical for everyone preparing dinner tonight with a knife and chopping board his argument doesn't stand up.

 

He seems to have a very polarised view - and by that I don't mean about the matter in hand. Is he the best person to be the firearms interface. I'll put him down as 'anti'.

Edited by LeadWasp
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my doctor said this should all be sorted out, by july when mine is due, but we will see.

If yours is due in July do yo not need to put the application forward in April ?

 

I have just checked the BASC guidance.

 

Quote

 

"To help the police to renew your certificates in time we recommend that you get your renewal applications to them at least 12 weeks before the expiry of your certificate. Do not wait for police reminder letters."

Edited by sportsbob
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Guest stevo

Everyone has a right to their ethical belief.

 

The police would just ask another dr surely.

I 100% hands down agree with you but, maybe the doctor could have just not replied.

 

After all in there code of conduct are they not ment to be Unbiased and impartial ?

Edited by stevo
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If yours is due in July do yo not need to put the application forward in April ?

 

I have just checked the BASC guidance.

 

Quote

 

"To help the police to renew your certificates in time we recommend that you get your renewal applications to them at least 12 weeks before the expiry of your certificate. Do not wait for police reminder letters."

 

 

 

yes they send my renewal form the end of april.they have said in the past wait for a reminder, they are very good with that.

Edited by mossy835
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I'd be equally concerned about the opinions expressed in https://www.bma.org.uk/connecting-doctors/the_practice/b/weblog/posts/updated-firearms-guidance-for-gps

 

Mark Sanford-Wood is the Firearms Task & Finish Group Lead and yet is either deliberately seeking to distort the cost argument or is in reality completely ignorant. Consultants might be able to routinely afford a slab of Bismuth but I've yet to meet anyone who buys the stuff. Not even an attempt to suggest a standardised price for the initial letter to make it all go away. He mentions "a de facto transfer of NHS resources from the sick to shotgun owners" - do those sick include the legions of the self inflicted? All manner of people access the NHS for things that it could be argued should be self funded so he is most wrong to single our sport out as especially 'grasping'. £500 is a cheap lunchtime bottle of wine in a club for city types to encourage their gout but I bet he'll give 10 minutes to a red-nosed banker without a second thought.

 

"distress and anxiety" - How wet we have become as a society.

 

Medical NOT mandatory for leisure diving if outside of a club environment (although advisable given the physical stress imposed). Pilots tend to crash if they fall ill with far reaching consequences. Unless he intends a medical for everyone preparing dinner tonight with a knife and chopping board his argument doesn't stand up.

 

He seems to have a very polarised view - and by that I don't mean about the matter in hand. Is he the best person to be the firearms interface. I'll put him down as 'anti'.

 

Interesting LW; thanks for posting that. Some of the comments are worth reading too.

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I 100% hands down agree with you but, maybe the doctor could have just not replied.

 

After all in there code of conduct are they not ment to be Unbiased and impartial ?

I also agree with you sir, I guess these are guidelines, as after reading them the BMA has recommended that doctors do reply to the request.

 

I don't want to sound fluffy, but if they are told to reply, by using any other template they are being untruthful.

 

I don't have a problem with a doctor exercising contentious objection if they really, deeply feel firearms shouldn't be accessible to civilians.

 

It's a neutral stance.

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You can, if you are prepared to pay for yours also LOL

 

cost one of my farmers £48 for her letter so she told doc for that price i want a copy ( got it no charge )

She said it was 2 sentences ...... stating she was in good health ......and saw no reason why she should not have a SGC..

 

typical farmer very annoyed she had to pay £48 for two sentences...

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