Durham gun licence pilot goes national

[Gaz]

Some ACPO press officer's forged himself good links with the regional broadcasters - BBC North have been uncritically parrotting the police line for ages on this. ITV's a new one, though. Journo contacts of mine think that report was probably written by an intern, hence the screaming inaccuracies.

[Gaz]

And if you feel inclined to tell ITV Tyne Tees what you think of their inaccuracies, do email ttvnews@itv.com

[Fedaykin]

Somebody on Shootforum has put up a nice cover letter to send back if your force demands you to pay for the medical check:

Dear _____

Thank you for your letter dated ______.
I have completed Part B (Medical Declaration and consent) of the shotgun application form, giving consent for you to contact my GP.

As you should be aware, by giving consent for you to contact my GP I have fulfilled all the requirements placed upon an applicant for the grant of a shotgun certificate. If you seek medical information from my GP then this is something that should be dealt with between yourselves and my GP, along with any associated costs.

Furthermore, I wish to remind you that you are unable to cancel my application because I have not supplied a medical report which I am under no obligation to provide.

I presume with subtle changes it would suit a FAC application as well.

Now unfortunately I do think there is a momentum for this to happen and we will end up paying a fee for this BUT it must be legislated for in Parliament with the correct amendment to the law as it stands. The Police and formerly ACPO can not be allowed to make up policy for themselves outside of the democratic process. What is the point of having home office guidance and laws in place if the Police are allowed to just make it up as they go along, it is a step onto a very slippery slope.

[saddler]

Somebody on Shootforum has put up a nice cover letter to send back if your force demands you to pay for the medical check:

Dear _____

Thank you for your letter dated ______.
I have completed Part B (Medical Declaration and consent) of the shotgun application form, giving consent for you to contact my GP.

As you should be aware, by giving consent for you to contact my GP I have fulfilled all the requirements placed upon an applicant for the grant of a shotgun certificate. If you seek medical information from my GP then this is something that should be dealt with between yourselves and my GP, along with any associated costs.

Furthermore, I wish to remind you that you are unable to cancel my application because I have not supplied a medical report which I am under no obligation to provide.

I presume with subtle changes it would suit a FAC application as well.

Now unfortunately I do think there is a momentum for this to happen and we will end up paying a fee for this BUT it must be legislated for in Parliament with the correct amendment to the law as it stands. The Police and formerly ACPO can not be allowed to make up policy for themselves outside of the democratic process. What is the point of having home office guidance and laws in place if the Police are allowed to just make it up as they go along, it is a step onto a very slippery slope.

+1

As Colin Greenwood used to write of such things in Guns Review - supplementary forms are not legally binding nor valid - so ignore them

[Demonic69]

Associated costs my arse! Would a GP really charge the plod for an assessment? Would the plod then be expected to charge the GP every time there was a break-in or some scrote got lairy with Doris on reception?
It's the same as quoting for the costs of a CRB and PND check for your FAC, they're non-costs as they would only apply to 3rd parties, i.e. US!