Police Commissioner gets firearms licensing wrong

[Sim G]

I feel that if you have jumped all the hoops to hold a FAC, you should automatically qualify for a SGC - There's can't be anyone who has an FAC but doesn't qualify for a SGC can there?

The whole system could be greatly streamlined.

That is a bloody good idea! Instead of continually looking to more restrictions as a means of efficiency, Continuity ACPO should have a consultation process with us, the end users, to see what suggestions could be made.

[artiglio]

Suggestions here goes,

As per 1066 FAC automatically includes SGC
Initial FAC grant / renewal allows given number of "slots" as justified by good reason etc.
Maintain 5 year validity, but so long as you do not exceed your allocated slots, you can buy , sell , trade as you wish, reporting each transaction electronically for a small fee.
You'd only need a variation if you wished to increase your number of "slots" or wished to add/change your good reason.
I'm solely a target shooter so not sure about permissions and pest control/hunting conditions but see. No reason why they could not be dealt with in a similar manner.

[lapua338]

My view is once you have been granted a certificate then you can possess any firearm in any calibre you wish (as long as you have adequate security and storage to accommodate those firearms).

Obviously, certain calibres are governed by the range regulations that govern safe conduct of shooting at those facilities where you primarily shoot. It's down to the individual to be responsible for ensuring their firearms and ammunition are safe to use.

Subsequently, any variations can be completed by notification alone to your firearms department without the need to request one.

[Gazoo]

I feel that if you have jumped all the hoops to hold a FAC, you should automatically qualify for a SGC - There's can't be anyone who has an FAC but doesn't qualify for a SGC can there?

The whole system could be greatly streamlined.

That is a bloody good idea! Instead of continually looking to more restrictions as a means of efficiency, Continuity ACPO should have a consultation process with us, the end users, to see what suggestions could be made.

That is a bloody good idea, but it's been a bloody good idea for decades, brought up at intervals by people and pressure groups but ignored. The problem being that the process isn't about being efficient and streamlined, let alone sensible. It is about weeding out and discouraging. And always will be.
It still is a bloody good idea though.

[1066]

And while they're at it they could completely scrap the daft expanding missile tripe. And why not take moderators off ticket, certainly rimfire mods. You can buy a .22 mod over the counter for an airgun, no questions asked. Screw the exact same mod on a rimfire and it becomes sec 1. No serial number, untraceable so what's the point. - It's the intent to break the law that's the problem.

Also, I guess the number quoted of guns in circulation is just the number of FAC slots filled - many thousands of those will be moderators.

[saddler]

My view is once you have been granted a certificate then you can possess any firearm in any calibre you wish (as long as you have adequate security and storage to accommodate those firearms).

Obviously, certain calibres are governed by the range regulations that govern safe conduct of shooting at those facilities where you primarily shoot. It's down to the individual to be responsible for ensuring their firearms and ammunition are safe to use.

Subsequently, any variations can be completed by notification alone to your firearms department without the need to request one.

....so, the New Zealand system.

[Laurie]

Suggestions here goes,

As per 1066 FAC automatically includes SGC
Initial FAC grant / renewal allows given number of "slots" as justified by good reason etc.
Maintain 5 year validity, but so long as you do not exceed your allocated slots, you can buy , sell , trade as you wish, reporting each transaction electronically for a small fee.
You'd only need a variation if you wished to increase your number of "slots" or wished to add/change your good reason.
I'm solely a target shooter so not sure about permissions and pest control/hunting conditions but see. No reason why they could not be dealt with in a similar manner.

New Zealand used to have a near identical copy of our licensing procedures and documentation I believe. They had somebody look at it who reported all it did was add processing work with no safety benefits, in fact a safety disbenefit as people who're ticking boxes and paper-pushing have less time to look at the really important things as to whether an individual should have permission at all. I believe that the whole set-up was simplified as per this sort of recommendation and works very well. Canada went down a full registration system some years back too after a mass college dorm shooting, and has recently abandoned it as being expensive and counterproductive in the true safety sense.

Frankly, the biggest problem we face here in the UK is the corrosive combination of the red-top tabloid press which does shallow research only (if any at all) into any sort of complex subject, won't let the facts get in the way of a good story and a craven ministerial governmental class who're terrified of bad press coverage. remember Anthony Jay's 'Yes Minister' brilliant line for his fictional Sir Humphrey whenever he wanted to talk Hacker, the minister, out of a scheme. "I agree 100% Minister, and do applaud your courage in doing this."

[saddler]

Suggestions here goes,

As per 1066 FAC automatically includes SGC
Initial FAC grant / renewal allows given number of "slots" as justified by good reason etc.
Maintain 5 year validity, but so long as you do not exceed your allocated slots, you can buy , sell , trade as you wish, reporting each transaction electronically for a small fee.
You'd only need a variation if you wished to increase your number of "slots" or wished to add/change your good reason.
I'm solely a target shooter so not sure about permissions and pest control/hunting conditions but see. No reason why they could not be dealt with in a similar manner.

New Zealand used to have a near identical copy of our licensing procedures and documentation I believe. They had somebody look at it who reported all it did was add processing work with no safety benefits, in fact a safety disbenefit as people who're ticking boxes and paper-pushing have less time to look at the really important things as to whether an individual should have permission at all. I believe that the whole set-up was simplified as per this sort of recommendation and works very well. Canada went down a full registration system some years back too after a mass college dorm shooting, and has recently abandoned it as being expensive and counterproductive in the true safety sense.

Aye.
Canadia had a lot of bleeding heart, ignore the real root of the problem types demand stricter gun controls.
After being in place for a couple of years a review decided that they were a complete waste of resources & the regosttation scheme was scrapped.
Long guns are now not licensed in Canadia....

[Triffid]

Suggestions here goes,

As per 1066 FAC automatically includes SGC
Initial FAC grant / renewal allows given number of "slots" as justified by good reason etc.
Maintain 5 year validity, but so long as you do not exceed your allocated slots, you can buy , sell , trade as you wish, reporting each transaction electronically for a small fee.
You'd only need a variation if you wished to increase your number of "slots" or wished to add/change your good reason.
I'm solely a target shooter so not sure about permissions and pest control/hunting conditions but see. No reason why they could not be dealt with in a similar manner.

New Zealand used to have a near identical copy of our licensing procedures and documentation I believe. They had somebody look at it who reported all it did was add processing work with no safety benefits, in fact a safety disbenefit as people who're ticking boxes and paper-pushing have less time to look at the really important things as to whether an individual should have permission at all. I believe that the whole set-up was simplified as per this sort of recommendation and works very well. Canada went down a full registration system some years back too after a mass college dorm shooting, and has recently abandoned it as being expensive and counterproductive in the true safety sense.

Aye.
Canadia had a lot of bleeding heart, ignore the real root of the problem types demand stricter gun controls.
After being in place for a couple of years a review decided that they were a complete waste of resources & the regosttation scheme was scrapped.
Long guns are now not licensed in Canadia....

Not quite. There's no registry of individual rifles or shotguns, but you still need to licence to own one (or many). They've maintained the registry for pistols I believe.

[joe]

Make everything go on section style fac - no variations
I0 year life
Scrap registration - if it worked in Canada and else ware the it will be ok here !