Stop bitching about firearms fees - we need computerisation

[Christel]

Like drivers there should be a photo-ID and counterpart paper licence.

The photo-ID like a driving licence should be unified for SG and FAC (they would still be separate when it comes to the paper licences), I don't carry separate cards because I have a motorbike and car licence so why should it be the same for guns? My driving licence shows each class of vehicle I am allowed to drive it should be the same for guns. The front of that card should have:

Photo
Full Name
FAC number + Expire date
SGC number + Expire date
RFD number (if needed)
Signature (Mine only - the Chief constables would be on the paper counterpart)
Classes of guns allowed to be owned for example ... S1, S2 and S7.3 etc

The rear of the card:

List of calibers permitted with total allowance number and expanding noted if so entitled. (If you are one of those lucky people who is allowed a thousand different calibre's then a second card is issued)

Excellent, a lot less to carry.

[Demonic69]

They're getting rid of the irrelevant paper part of the driving licence, thank goodness, and I think it would be pointless for a FAC too.
The photo card idea sounds great, but with less information as any variation for a new calibre or more ammo would require it printing again. £0.30p in the real world, £30 to any government agency.
If coupled with a decent, forward thinking online system an RFD would just have to enter the FAC details to access the DB showing them what you can have, what slots are free etc. They could even enter a purchase directly onto a free slot.
I don't know if RFDs have to notify the police of every firearm currently in stock, but the system could automagically remove it from the RFD and assign it to the customer.
The same could be done for private purchases, freeing up a slot immediately.

I suppose a paper counterpart could be useful if an RFD doesn't have internet access.

[Blackstuff]

They're getting rid of the irrelevant paper part of the driving licence, thank goodness

I wouldn't be so happy about that, the paper license doesn't have to renewed every 10 years, at cost to the driver. Presently its a relatively small amount for a new card (£20 IIRC). Once you don't have the choice any more, how reasonable do you think that cost will remain when the government becomes cash strapped again and they have a 'captive audience' ranking in the millions?? And we're back to the FAC/SGC cost issue again tesnews

[nickb834]

They're getting rid of the irrelevant paper part of the driving licence, thank goodness, and I think it would be pointless for a FAC too.
The photo card idea sounds great, but with less information as any variation for a new calibre or more ammo would require it printing again. £0.30p in the real world, £30 to any government agency.
If coupled with a decent, forward thinking online system an RFD would just have to enter the FAC details to access the DB showing them what you can have, what slots are free etc. They could even enter a purchase directly onto a free slot.
I don't know if RFDs have to notify the police of every firearm currently in stock, but the system could automagically remove it from the RFD and assign it to the customer.
The same could be done for private purchases, freeing up a slot immediately.

I suppose a paper counterpart could be useful if an RFD doesn't have internet access.

That sounds like a perfectly reasonable well thought out system, catch being - government, police, IT, project, taxpayers money, farce.....

I'd suggest a different approach, you're safe for one firearm, have what you like! OR more seriously:

A driving licence style card with categories:

S2 shotguns: tick!
S1 shotguns: tick!
S1 rifles: tick!
S1 muzzle loaders: tick!
S5 blah: if only!

And then do away with "though shalt have one firearm per slot" - that'd save a bloody fortune in paperwork, visits and I bet the RFD's would love the extra trade coming their way.

I'd also do away with the quantitites of ammo, what's the point if I can have 10000 primers, cases, bullets and powder - in having some arbitary restriction on made up quantities - daft IMHO (also, I've got 5000 shotgun cartridges at home - cheap deal, so why can I only have 300 7.62x51/308?).

[Demonic69]

They're getting rid of the irrelevant paper part of the driving licence, thank goodness

I wouldn't be so happy about that, the paper license doesn't have to renewed every 10 years, at cost to the driver. Presently its a relatively small amount for a new card (£20 IIRC). Once you don't have the choice any more, how reasonable do you think that cost will remain when the government becomes cash strapped again and they have a 'captive audience' ranking in the millions?? And we're back to the FAC/SGC cost issue again tesnews

Surely the same threat is there now? You have to have a card so they could easily ramp up the cost, even though they're meant to be at full recovery already...
The only probem with going to just card is that the rest would be electronic, you'd have to be allowed access to make sure nobody had stuck on points without you realising!

I agree Nick, so much work is caused because someone without a clue assumes that sanctions and restrictions equal safety.

Maybe they should contact PADI, their SCUBA online system is apparently pretty good