Firearms License Application and Grant to be simplified

[phaedra1106]

Posted on the BASC Website


Following consultation with the UK's largest shooting organisation, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) and an online vote by BASC members, a new form designed to simplify the firearms application process has been published by the Home Office.

Under the current system, renewing coterminous certificates means completing four separate forms, with the same details repeated time and time again, an issue which has frustrated BASC members for many years. The new procedure, made available from December 1st 2013, will include only one form for grants and renewals. There will be a small separate form for anyone wanting to vary their firearm certificate

Other benefits to be introduced include the removal of the requirement for a professionally-qualified countersignatory. This means applicants will no longer need to approach a person such as an MP or Doctor to sign their shotgun certificate but will be able to use a suitable person who has known them for over two years, and who is not a family member, Registered Firearms Dealer or police employee.

Ammunition requirements have also been simplified; under the new system it will no longer be mandatory to declare how much ammunition can be bought, only how much can be possessed.

Along with the new single form there will be an “equality information” page. This is not a compulsory form and need only be completed if the applicant wishes to.

BASC’s senior firearms officer Mike Eveleigh said: “BASC has worked with the police and Home Office for over eight years in an attempt to simplify and refine the forms and while they are not perfect in our eyes, they are a great improvement over the previous forms. They are a genuine attempt to simplify the process and we would like to thank all the BASC members who voted and helped with the development.”



Firearms (Amendment) Rules 2013 with examples of the forms is here, http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013 ... ule/1/made

It's 11 pages long!

If you click on "Next Schedule" it also shows the Variations form.


One thing I read is,

6. Where an application is successful a letter will be sent to your GP and where there is good reason a medical report may be required.

So, does this mean that even if you haven't any medical conditions they will still inform your GP you have an FAC/SGC?

[IainWR]

http://www.full-bore.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=79&t=13738

[phaedra1106]

Thanks Iain, hadn't seen that thread.

[saddler]

I thought that the equlity information part of the form was good...esp. the tick box for ethnic origins, giving "Irish Traveller/Gypsy" as an option

Maybe those in power are hoping to finally tempt one of the caravan club to apply for a licence for their very many guns...as I have yet to hear of anyone from that group in legal possession...or am I wide of the mark?

[phaedra1106]

You're not wide (yet!) . . . . . . . you'll just have to eat less Guinea Pigs and have a "Moore" balanced diet :shakeshout:

[Dannywayoflife]

They all sound very sensible proposals!

[paxtond]

this reminds me i rely need to cancel my BASC membership.

forms look ok but i have no gripes with the current forms.

now the police/HO are in talks with BASC we need to slip in the handguns back to Section 1 papers