eightlittlebits Posted November 4 Report Share Posted November 4 Seems due to an unexpected "lack of resource" they are suspending all certificate applications and anyone that has already applied they're quoting a minimum of 24 months. Firearms licensing service update | Gloucestershire Constabulary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted November 4 Report Share Posted November 4 2 years seems a bit over the top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
udderlyoffroad Posted November 4 Report Share Posted November 4 That is absolutely crazy and I hope BASC are all over them like a cheap suit. 'Resourcing issues' - Translation; the only person who understands how to use NFLMS has gone on maternity leave and they're just going to let stuff pile up till she's back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fellside Posted November 4 Report Share Posted November 4 This is basically a service failure and needs to be addressed by the commissioners……..urgently. What this must be doing to the local gun trade?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.T Posted November 4 Report Share Posted November 4 Just an excuse to put the fees up…. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRINITY Posted November 4 Report Share Posted November 4 inexcusable !!! they have a statutory obligation to provide this service Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clangerman Posted November 4 Report Share Posted November 4 might be down to the top two at Gloucestershire getting the boot recently Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob85 Posted November 4 Report Share Posted November 4 Bloody hell, the longest I have had to wait for anything with my licence was my initial grant as a first time licence holder over 20 years ago. I had to wait 6 months and that wait was put down to NI moving from hand written letters etc to filling out forms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted November 4 Report Share Posted November 4 (edited) Judging by their website it suggests that it's taken some 3 years to realise that they may have made some mistakes and want to find out before anything hits the fan. Edited November 4 by wymberley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eightlittlebits Posted November 4 Author Report Share Posted November 4 4 minutes ago, wymberley said: Judging by their website it suggests that it's taken some 3 years to realise that they may have made some mistakes and want to find out before anything hits the fan. Didn't pick up on that on the first read but you may well be right. The mention of Plymouth, more robust procedures, and "assessing the suitability of those already in possession". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conor O'Gorman Posted November 4 Report Share Posted November 4 BASC is contacting the Police & Crime Commissioner, are in touch with the firearms licensing department and we’re writing to all Gloucestershire MPs to ask them to intervene. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samboy Posted November 4 Report Share Posted November 4 2 hours ago, Mr.T said: Just an excuse to put the fees up…. Also they hope a lot of us will give up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted November 4 Report Share Posted November 4 well done BASC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted November 4 Report Share Posted November 4 5 hours ago, clangerman said: might be down to the top two at Gloucestershire getting the boot recently If it is a simple as that then that is terrible. In Cambs they will not pay a fair wage and expect people to already have a pension to justify the low wage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turtle57 Posted November 5 Report Share Posted November 5 As someone who submitted my application for sgc 10 months ago, i find this deeply frustrating to hear I may have to wait a further 2 years! I presume glos police won't mind a contribution to the cost of me having to pay for a member of staff at the local shooting range to accompany me weekly for another two years! Meanwhile a friend under Avon and Somerset police applied for sgc in September and had his home visit last week, hard to fathom how there can be such difference between police forces in this day and age Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted November 6 Report Share Posted November 6 Welcome to Pigeon Watch. It is a great shame that each and every single Firearms Licensing Department are allowed to interpret the Home Office guidance in a way to suit themselves. It would be much better if they had to follow fixed instructions without the ability to decide how to do things and how long they can delay the process. I am quite sure that there is also an element of "if they take too long, some people will withdraw their application" about the whole set up. Good luck in your quest for your SGC, can I politely suggest you write to your Chief Constable and your PCC in order to ask for an explanation? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnfromUK Posted November 6 Report Share Posted November 6 Something is 'going on' in Gloucestershire Constabulary (my neighbouring force) and the Chief Constable and other seniors (inc his Deputy CC?) have been suspended by the Police and Crime Commissioner. Not sure what is going on, but there appears to be a lot of heavy internal politics (and very little policing). Understandably (with the leadership in turmoil), there are said to be both morale and recruitment problems https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/gloucester-news/civic-chiefs-kept-dark-nine-9686948 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted November 6 Report Share Posted November 6 Quote BASC is contacting the Police & Crime Commissioner, are in touch with the firearms licensing department and we’re writing to all Gloucestershire MPs to ask them to intervene. Well done to Conor and BASC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conor O'Gorman Posted November 8 Report Share Posted November 8 Thanks @mossy835and @Gordon R BASC has been briefing all Gloucestershire MPs and asking them to raise the matter with the new Chief Constable and the PCC. Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP, a vice-president of BASC, is meeting the Chief Constable today to raise the issue. We have also protested to the PCC. We have informed the Home Office that a statutory function is not being discharged and have asked that the Policing Minister is informed. The matter will also be raised at a Gloucestershire stakeholders' meeting. Today we have emailed all members in Gloucestershire encouraging them to write to their MP and the PCC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fil Posted November 8 Report Share Posted November 8 4 minutes ago, Conor O'Gorman said: Thanks @mossy835and @Gordon R BASC has been briefing all Gloucestershire MPs and asking them to raise the matter with the new Chief Constable and the PCC. Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP, a vice-president of BASC, is meeting the Chief Constable today to raise the issue. We have also protested to the PCC. We have informed the Home Office that a statutory function is not being discharged and have asked that the Policing Minister is informed. The matter will also be raised at a Gloucestershire stakeholders' meeting. Today we have emailed all members in Gloucestershire encouraging them to write to their MP and the PCC. 👍👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old'un Posted November 8 Report Share Posted November 8 33 minutes ago, Conor O'Gorman said: Thanks @mossy835and @Gordon R BASC has been briefing all Gloucestershire MPs and asking them to raise the matter with the new Chief Constable and the PCC. Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP, a vice-president of BASC, is meeting the Chief Constable today to raise the issue. We have also protested to the PCC. We have informed the Home Office that a statutory function is not being discharged and have asked that the Policing Minister is informed. The matter will also be raised at a Gloucestershire stakeholders' meeting. Today we have emailed all members in Gloucestershire encouraging them to write to their MP and the PCC. Well done BASC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conor O'Gorman Posted November 8 Report Share Posted November 8 Thank you @Filand @old'un More context in the following update: https://basc.org.uk/glos-constabulary-suspends-certificate-grants/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turtle57 Posted November 8 Report Share Posted November 8 2 hours ago, Conor O'Gorman said: Thank you @Filand @old'un More context in the following update: https://basc.org.uk/glos-constabulary-suspends-certificate-grants/ 👏👏 well done! Fingers crossed for positive talks and hopefully a positive outcome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conor O'Gorman Posted Wednesday at 11:34 Report Share Posted Wednesday at 11:34 Thank you @turtle57 We have today emailed members in the Cheltenham constituency encouraging them to contact MP Max Wilkinson on the back of his reply to BASC's letter stating “Thank you for your recent correspondence. I am aware that this issue has been raised with the constabulary. If I am in receipt of any correspondence from constituents I will, naturally, raise those cases through the appropriate channels.” If anyone reading this lives in the Cheltenham constituency please email Mr Wilkinson at max.wilkinson.mp@parliament.uk and ask him to raise this issue with the PCC and Chief Constable. Background: On 4 November Gloucestershire Police announced on their website that due to resourcing issues they would cease processing new applications for grants of shotgun and firearms certificates. They would continue to process applications that had already been submitted but applicants should expect these to take a minimum of two years. This decision is seriously damaging for shooting in Gloucestershire. Not only does it act as a barrier to participation, but it will reduce the economic benefits of shooting to the many businesses that normally benefit. It is outrageous that the police, who have a legal responsibility to provide licensing, should suspend the function. There would be outrage if this was done for passports or driving licences. BASC immediately wrote to the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and all Gloucestershire MPs pointing out that firearms licensing is a statutory function and asking them to take the matter up with the interim Chief Constable to ensure proper resourcing of firearms licensing. Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP, the member for North Cotswolds, saw the Chief Constable the next day to raise the issue, and a further meeting is being arranged at which BASC will be present. But it is still important that all Gloucestershire MPs take this matter up with the PCC and the police. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted Wednesday at 13:25 Report Share Posted Wednesday at 13:25 Bet there are plenty of "Road safety vans" about though?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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