Kent police SGC renewal, Medical Report

[Gordon R]

You give permission for the Police to get info from your GP. The need for a report is if you have declared a problem. I don't see the change you refer to.

[p@cman]

The text below is taken from the "Notes to read before filing in the application form" for firearms or shotgun certificate, as online on the Thames Valley Police website.  https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/ar/applyregister/fao/tvp/firearms-and-explosives-licensing/application-renewal-firearm-shotgun-certificates/

Take note of sections 6 & 7 in particular, which seems pretty clear. 

_____________________________________________

Medical information

4.You must disclose any relevant physical or mental health conditions that you have been diagnosed with or treated for in the past as this may affect your ability to safely possess and use a firearm or shotgun. Relevant medical conditions which must be disclosed are listed in note 5.Sections 27 and 28 of the Firearms Act 1968 (as amended) specify that in order to issue a firearm or shotgun certificate the chief officer of police must be satisfied that an applicant can be permitted to possess a gun ‘without danger to the public safety or the peace’. Medical fitness is one of the factors police must consider when assessing a person’s suitability.

FORM 201 – 2017 - 1

Page13

5.Relevant medical conditions which must be disclosed are:

•Acute Stress Reaction or an acute reaction to the stress caused by a trauma

•Suicidal thoughts or self harm

•Depression or anxiety

•Dementia

•Mania, bipolar disorder or a psychotic illness

•A personality disorder

•A neurological condition: for example, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s or Huntington's diseases, or epilepsy

•Alcohol or drug abuse

•Any other mental or physical condition which might affect your safe possession of a firearmor shotgun

If in doubt, consult your GP or contact the police firearms licensing department.

6.If you have disclosed a relevant medical condition the police may ask you to obtain a medical report from your GP/specialist. You are expected to meet the cost if a fee is charged for this. If further information is required the police may request and pay for a further report.

7.Where no relevant medical conditions are disclosed the police will contact your GP asking if they are aware of any relevant medical conditions or have any concerns about the grant of the firearm or shotgun certificate. Depending on the reply, the police may ask you to obtain a medical report from your GP/specialist. You are expected to meet the cost if a fee is charged for this. If further information is required the police may request and pay for a further report.

 

[Scully]

6 hours ago, blackbird said:

The only way you are going to get the likes of BASC to start sorting this mess out is buy cancelling your membership. 

Did this some years ago. 

[mossy835]

1 hour ago, Scully said:

Did this some years ago. 

 

 

who are you with now, scully.

[Scully]

NGO. I renewed in August but informed them that I won’t be renewing next year if this issue isn’t resolved. 

[Jongwe]

17 hours ago, gdadphil said:

this is part of the legislation i referred to

cheers Gdadphil 

This new form came in from the 1st of January 2018. Essentially rather than declaring any current conditions you have to declare if you have EVER had any of the conditions.

I had contacted the BASC about this last year as the way I read the previous form, I had believed that I didn’t have to declare historical conditions and wanted confirmation. They confirmed this to be correct and said that the form would be changing from 2018. As it turns out, I only submitted my grant application this year anyway, so had to declare.

Edited November 23, 2018 by Jongwe
Typos

[Wooder]

Well after running round changing GP etc, submitting my renewal etc, Had a letter from Kent Police today to say they were extending my current certificate by 8 weeks. They couldn't process my renewal in time for my expiry date 4th March, the extension takes it to the end of April that's almost 5 months in total to process a renewal.   

[Old Boggy]

14 hours ago, Wooder said:

Well after running round changing GP etc, submitting my renewal etc, Had a letter from Kent Police today to say they were extending my current certificate by 8 weeks. They couldn't process my renewal in time for my expiry date 4th March, the extension takes it to the end of April that's almost 5 months in total to process a renewal.   

I thought that they had to issue a section 7 temporary permit in the event of a delay on their part. Will that letter enable you to buy cartridges or ?

Good luck with the renewal anyway.

OB

[JJsDad]

10 hours ago, Old Boggy said:

I thought that they had to issue a section 7 temporary permit in the event of a delay on their part

In theory you are correct; however when I was due to be re-newed my FEO was advising he had to visit all owners as a directive from the Kent Chief Constable and it was highly likely that due to the backlog that my visit would be after my expiry date. I requested a Sect 7 permit but he said that was out of his hands and refered me to Kent HQ at Maidstone.

I duly spoke (3 times) to the Firearms  Dept including the head of the Dept requesting a Sect 7, but they said they would not issue one as this would just add to the backlog. When I formally complained they assured me that I did not need to worry, no requirement to store my guns with anyone else and I was OK even though my ticket was due to expire within days. I spoke to BASC who advised a further phone call after my ticket had expired; get the name of the person I dealt with and they would take it up with the Chief Constable. I duly did this, but the lady dealing with my call refused to give her surname and assured me any letter to the Chief Constable was a bit pointless as they had a mega back log and 15 or 20 people were complaining daily and any letter was probably going straight into file 13. My FEO finally turned up 5 weeks after my expiry date, quick check and handed over new ticket, backdated to when my old one expired.

Interesting legal question, head of Kent Firearms Dept backed up by his Chief Constable aiding and abetting me to break the law, due to their own inefficiency.

Edited December 8, 2018 by JJsDad

[Wooder]

10 hours ago, Old Boggy said:

I thought that they had to issue a section 7 temporary permit in the event of a delay on their part. Will that letter enable you to buy cartridges or ?

Good luck with the renewal anyway.

OB

Chris I never thought about, you are correct !

It said I should keep the letter with my certificate , it also said I should not transfer or buy new guns as this would possibly cause more delays and extra paper work, I also noticed when looked at the police web site there was no FEO currently registered against my postcode.

I don't know about the purchase of cartridges! just have to make sure I have a couple of slabs in-stock, probably give them a call on Monday for some clarification. 

     

[Guest]

That’s the same form I filled in .in 2016 has you area just started using it 

[Old Boggy]

48 minutes ago, JJsDad said:

In theory you are correct; however when I was due to be re-newed my FEO was advising he had to visit all owners as a directive from the Kent Chief Constable and it was highly likely that due to the backlog that my visit would be after my expiry date. I requested a Sect 7 permit but he said that was out of his hands and refered me to Kent HQ at Maidstone.

I duly spoke (3 times) to the Firearms  Dept including the head of the Dept requesting a Sect 7, but they said they would not issue one as this would just add to the backlog. When I formally complained they assured me that I did not need to worry, no requirement to store my guns with anyone else and I was OK even though my ticket was due to expire within days. I spoke to BASC who advised a further phone call after my ticket had expired; get the name of the person I dealt with and they would take it up with the Chief Constable. I duly did this, but the lady dealing with my call refused to give her surname and assured me any letter to the Chief Constable was a bit pointless as they had a mega back log and 15 or 20 people were complaining daily and any letter was probably going straight into file 13. My FEO finally turned up 5 weeks after my expiry date, quick check and handed over new ticket, backdated to when my old one expired.

Interesting legal question, head of Kent Firearms Dept backed up by his Chief Constable aiding and abetting me to break the law, due to their own inefficiency.

I was in a similar situation and Bill Harriman of BASC advised me to write or email (with automated reply acknowledging receipt) requesting forthwith a Section 7 temporary permit. This was on the basis that once something is in writing, then they have to act. This I did and received the Section 7 within a week. This enabled me to purchase cartridges although 'apparently' RFDs could refuse selling cartridges, but I found no problem with my local RFD. I have dealt often with Jenny Jeynes at Maidstone Firearms department and have found her to be most helpful albeit so long as it's been within her remit.

OB

 

[CZ550Kevlar]

My renewal with Kent is on a final 1 month extension due to my doctors not processing this bit of tripe.

i had to submit the letter which I did and heard nothing, I then contacted the doctor to be told oh your doctor doesn't deal with it, it should go to the practice secretary who processes it then contacts you to arrange payment then sends to the police. I have until the 15th then its guns into storage time!

[Brodie]

There was a change in the Firearms Act on 17th April this year (Section 28B added) which states if you apply for your renewal at least 8 weeks in advance your existing certificate will automatically be extended by 8 weeks without the need to issue a temporary certificate in the event of a delay. It's in Home Office Circular 014/2018.

Quite how this would be viewed by an RFD when purchasing ammunition would be interesting.

[Old Boggy]

10 hours ago, Brodie said:

There was a change in the Firearms Act on 17th April this year (Section 28B added) which states if you apply for your renewal at least 8 weeks in advance your existing certificate will automatically be extended by 8 weeks without the need to issue a temporary certificate in the event of a delay. It's in Home Office Circular 014/2018.

Quite how this would be viewed by an RFD when purchasing ammunition would be interesting.

Many thanks, Brodie for clarifying that. Hopefully, Wooder will be allowed to purchase ammunition until his certificate comes through.

OB

[Wooder]

11 hours ago, Brodie said:

There was a change in the Firearms Act on 17th April this year (Section 28B added) which states if you apply for your renewal at least 8 weeks in advance your existing certificate will automatically be extended by 8 weeks without the need to issue a temporary certificate in the event of a delay. It's in Home Office Circular 014/2018.

Quite how this would be viewed by an RFD when purchasing ammunition would be interesting.

Interesting ! thanks for the info.

[Penelope]

On 08/12/2018 at 19:35, Swinton said:

That’s the same form I filled in .in 2016 has you area just started using it 

At my last renewal, (last year) the for said 'do you currently suffer from' or words to that effect. The one before that and every one prior too, was as the one posted.

Essex.

Edited December 10, 2018 by Penelope

[Chris B123]

I am in the process of renewing my shotgun certificate, just received a call from doctors surgery saying they have had a request from the police asking for a medical report. The cost for this is £60, I asked what would happen if I didn't pay for it, she said they would just decline the request from the police. So I called the firearms dept (Gloucester) asked if this was normal, he said it has been for the last few years. I then tried to ask him what would happen if they didn't receive a report, unfortunately he wouldn't commit to a answer, he said it would be decided when it happened.I have always thought when reading these sort of posts that you should not pay, but when ii's your own license at risk you think differently, so I will probably just pay up.

 

 

[mossy835]

last year avon and somerset said to me when i phoned them about it. he said  ignore it, so i did and got my licence ok,my doctor wanted £20 i never payed it.

[Chris B123]

AS you are paying for the doctors report, are you entitled to a copy that they send to the police?

 

Edited December 13, 2018 by Chris B123

[Old Boggy]

On 11 December 2018 at 15:00, Chris B. said:

I am in the process of renewing my shotgun certificate, just received a call from doctors surgery saying they have had a request from the police asking for a medical report. The cost for this is £60, I asked what would happen if I didn't pay for it, she said they would just decline the request from the police. So I called the firearms dept (Gloucester) asked if this was normal, he said it has been for the last few years. I then tried to ask him what would happen if they didn't receive a report, unfortunately he wouldn't commit to a answer, he said it would be decided when it happened.I have always thought when reading these sort of posts that you should not pay, but when ii's your own license at risk you think differently, so I will probably just pay up.

 

 

I think that whilst you may object to the principle of it, most like you would pay up as it's a very small percentage of what you probably pay for your shooting anyway and how much you value that. It didn't occur when I last renewed, but I would not hesitate paying say £60 so that I can continue with my favourite hobby. Spread this cost over five years and it really isn't even worth arguing about. In my opinion, Wooder has got it right by going along with what has been requested and hopefully will soon receive his renewal.

OB

Edited December 15, 2018 by Old Boggy

[Jongwe]

On ‎13‎/‎12‎/‎2018 at 09:25, Chris B. said:

AS you are paying for the doctors report, are you entitled to a copy that they send to the police?

 

That shouldn't be a problem in most cases I would imagine.  In my case it was left to me to arrange the report from the doctor.  The FEO provided me with a letter to provide to the doctor and I just requested that they emailed me a copy and they were happy to do so.  You just need to talk nicely to the medical secretary at the surgery as after all they are the person that does all the work and the doctor just checks and signs it.

[Rim Fire]

If we are going to pay this ransom at least have a set price to pay what i can see is its a free for all depending where you live myself have never been ask for a doctors report and i only renew this year so am safe for another 4 yrs 

 

Edited December 15, 2018 by Rim Fire

[mossy835]

so why wales dont ask, and others do.

[Terry2016]

I do find these posts interesting, 

It is my understanding that 5 forces have gone to the method of needing a medical report before they will grant or renew your certificate, it started in Lincolnshire when that force was taken over by officers who came down from Scotland and this method has been in use for some time.

On going meetings have been taking place with medical associations, police forces and BASC to resolve the issue. however doctors practices are independent so a fee cannot be fixed as they are a rule unto themselves.

the best thing anyone in this situation can do is speak directly to there doctor and ask for a report or your licence may not be renewed or granted.

Some forces that are not following this route simply write to your nominated GP stating that if they do not hear back within a certain time frame then they consider all to be well and grant a certificate.

This issue lies solely with the medical association, not the forces and definitely not BASC.

if your doctor won't write you a report , get a different doctor

 

Edited December 15, 2018 by Terry2016