Updated BMA Firearms Licensing Process

[ovenpaa]

for a conscientious objection to gun ownership.

My last GP was a female and by her own admission a red neck squirrel shooting American republican, no idea about my GP since we moved as I only met her once and she has left the practice. It does make me wonder how the current GP's will be able to comment on me, let alone recognise me.

[joe]

•Do you have concerns about your patient being issued with a firearm or shotgun certificate?

Its this question that concerns me and how he/she answers it if the Doctor is anti gun or for what ever reason does not like the idea of people owning fire arms.

If the GP did so, he/she would be danger in potentially breeching their code of professional conduct and the BMA gives guidance to this effect -

We are now advising GPs to return the letter to the police without delay explaining they are unable to undertake the work due to a lack of funding or for a conscientious objection to gun ownership.

It is not acceptable to:

disregard the letter
not inform the police
delay a reply

In doing any of the above, you could place yourself at professional risk.

So what happens when the plod get a reply like the above ???

[Dark Skies]

•Do you have concerns about your patient being issued with a firearm or shotgun certificate?

Its this question that concerns me and how he/she answers it if the Doctor is anti gun or for what ever reason does not like the idea of people owning fire arms.

If the GP did so, he/she would be danger in potentially breeching their code of professional conduct and the BMA gives guidance to this effect -

We are now advising GPs to return the letter to the police without delay explaining they are unable to undertake the work due to a lack of funding or for a conscientious objection to gun ownership.

It is not acceptable to:

disregard the letter
not inform the police
delay a reply

In doing any of the above, you could place yourself at professional risk.

So what happens when the plod get a reply like the above ???

Presumably plod contacts the applicant who then has to see another GP that is prepared to do the paperwork. In my own surgery this isn't very difficult to do. My GP loves her holidays and sabbaticals and I often arrange to see a different GP. It's only box ticking paperwork for the most part (albeit intrusive and unwarranted) and easy money for what's involved.

[Racalman]

My GP knows I shoot and is quite happy with it. He once offered to prescribe me some antidepressants to treat a condition that was not related to depression. When I suggested that this might place my FAC in jeopardy he said absolutely not, it's the condition not the medication that matters.

[ovenpaa]

Racalman, that rings a bell, I was prescribed Diazepam (Valium) as a muscle relaxant for a bad back, I picked it up from the pharmacy wandered home and read the label for the first time and nearly dropped them in horror. I immediately rang the GP who said not to worry as they were for a different use however I was never happy about the situation and handed them back in because of the potential side effects. I am not a great fan of any form of medication.

[Sandgroper]

•Do you have concerns about your patient being issued with a firearm or shotgun certificate?

Its this question that concerns me and how he/she answers it if the Doctor is anti gun or for what ever reason does not like the idea of people owning fire arms.

If the GP did so, he/she would be danger in potentially breeching their code of professional conduct and the BMA gives guidance to this effect -

We are now advising GPs to return the letter to the police without delay explaining they are unable to undertake the work due to a lack of funding or for a conscientious objection to gun ownership.

It is not acceptable to:

disregard the letter
not inform the police
delay a reply

In doing any of the above, you could place yourself at professional risk.

So what happens when the plod get a reply like the above ???

The Home Office says that another GP in the practice can provide the information. If this is not possible, you should discuss this with the police firearms department. However, they go on to say that applicants and certificate holders should not be disadvantaged if their GP does not provide the information needed. According to BASC, if nothing is heard after 21 days then it is assumed that there is no medical issues.

[Viper]

This is really interesting. I had recently received my FAC and the day after I received it I had a call from my GP saying they have to fill out a form and was a little apologetic that it is a chargeable service. I let him know that I'd already received the FAC and asked if it was still relevant.

I called NY Police to ask and they said no form needed to be filled out and the GP just needed to make a note on my record that I'm an FAC holder. Not sure at what point the GP is required to provide medical information to the Police?

[hitchphil]

•Do you have concerns about your patient being issued with a firearm or shotgun certificate?

Its this question that concerns me and how he/she answers it if the Doctor is anti gun or for what ever reason does not like the idea of people owning fire arms.

Alpha1 - do you have a copy of the letter / form Police send to GP? if so can you upload it?

[Sandgroper]

•Do you have concerns about your patient being issued with a firearm or shotgun certificate?

Its this question that concerns me and how he/she answers it if the Doctor is anti gun or for what ever reason does not like the idea of people owning fire arms.

Alpha1 - do you have a copy of the letter / form Police send to GP? if so can you upload it?

He's pulled that question from the BMA detailed guidance - https://www.bma.org.uk/advice/employmen ... z/firearms

Step 2: GP notifies the police

In the same letter, you will also be asked to notify the police if you have any concerns. At this stage you will only need to respond to the letter by ticking 'Yes' or 'No' to the following questions:

Do you have concerns about your patient being issued with a firearm or shotgun certificate?
Has your patient suffered from any relevant medical conditions listed below, during the previous five years:
acute Stress Reaction or an acute reaction to the stress caused by a trauma
suicidal thoughts or self harm
depression or anxiety
dementia
mania, bipolar disorder or a psychotic illness
personality disorder
neurological condition for example; Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's or Huntington's diseases, or epilepsy
alcohol or drug related abuse

Have you placed a firearm or shotgun reminder code on the patient record?

[pbrazendale]

I will be shortly applying for my FAC should I request a paid medical from my GP or check with them first they are happy to give a recommendation?


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