A national body.... (not the same old thread)

[Sandgroper]

Are we alone in favouring the local administration of FACs rather than being subject to a single, over-arching national body whose accountability is, to say the least, indeterminate?

I suppose it depends on how good the service is? As it stands at the moment, there seem very little consistency or accountability amongst the myriad of local forces. What Simon is proposing makes sense, but like anything the devil will be in the detail - it could be a blessing or a curse.

[meles meles]

We know ooman, and we prefer it that way. Where there is frailty and error there is weakness...

[Sandgroper]

We know ooman, and we prefer it that way. Where there is frailty and error there is weakness...

From my perspective, I'd rather see my FAC administered by the MoD Police than an SNP controlled Police Scotland.

[meles meles]

'Twould be better were it not administered by the police at all: why not apportion it to the DVLA if it must be done by some national body ? A body with no axe to grind, simply a process to administer.

[nfrancis]

Maybe we have to be careful what we wish for......

Whatever anybody's feelings or theories about how the systems is run and the efficiencies of it etc., the end result is I (and everyone else) have a section one FAC, a section 2 shotgun cert, a European Firearms certificate and an explosives cert - all for about a tenner a year. I don't think this is a rip off to be honest. It it was £20 a year I probably still would not be complaining too much.

Its not increased since ~2001 and the deficit is £17M a year? A figure I have no reason to disbelieve.

If we want the taxpayer to fund this deficit that we need to say so, we need to be comfortable saying so - no smoke and mirrors - just say - we want the taxpayer (ie me and you) to pay this - and then justify why of course.

What do people think a 5 year FAC etc is worth? If is not £50 - what?

[meles meles]

How much does a driving licence cost ?

[Sandgroper]

'Twould be better were it not administered by the police at all: why not apportion it to the DVLA if it must be done by some national body ? A body with no axe to grind, simply a process to administer.

And your reasoning is...?

As Simon pointed out, the current situation with the Firearms Act requires Police involvement. His proposal could actually result in more accountability as the buck stops with one Chief Constable and one Force.

Mind you, it could result in a very cautious approach as they would have a lot fingers pointing at them should something go wrong.

[meles meles]

We don't like the idea of concentrating such authority in one pair of hands...

[Mike357]

Given the earth dwellers recent experience of the Civil Nuclear Constabulary, maybe they should administer it?

[meles meles]

Given the earth dwellers recent experience of the Civil Nuclear Constabulary, maybe they should administer it?

Us, or the Keystone Ninjas ?