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With Gaz's article, ACPO's response and all the nuances going on around the country, perhaps it is time for a national "body". Not for shooters and the "one voice", but for those that grant the licenses. One issuing authority. Chapuis said something this morning around "Spanish practices" and that got me thinking.

Andy Marsh claims county forces need more money to administer the system. Surely in today's terms, efficiency comes from streamlining and having one, all inclusive operating policy? Actually take all of the licensing money, staff and resources and "redistribute" to a national organisation...

But whom? Legislation with regards to firearms refers to continually to "Chief Constable" etc, and really, perhaps it should be the police anyway who do administer. Private companies have different priorities and the "civil service"..... well have you seen the state of UKBA?

Anyhow, we already have in the UK, ignoring the debacle of the National Crime Agency", three national police forces. British Transport Police, Civil Nuclear Constabulary and the Ministry of Defence Police. Two of these forces are also "full time" armed, namely MoD plod and CNC. Why is this important? Firstly, it's not, but, those forces as a whole and individual constables have day-to-day exposure to firearms and with that, the "novelty" value or even the idea that a firearm is actually a WMD does not exist.

The CNC is ostensibly a privately funded outfit, so that leaves the MoD police. That organisation may actually welcome the role as they do seem to be constantly under threat.....

And why not go $hit or bust. Apart from demanding a single issuing authority why not a whole new firearms act. I appreciate this is risky, but, the new Home Office guidance has just been published so I'd imagine that for the Home Office, a lot of work could just be transferred. Let's get everything under one act and administered by one authority. Perhaps that's the way forward.

Now I know everyone has a different idea as to what licensing should be. I imagine my utopia would make many people "bulgey eyed"! But it's probably fair to say that we all want a fair system, where the individual is licensed and not the gun and where red tape and hindrances are removed and we are allowed to conduct our lawful sport in peace. I for one am fed up with the constant uncertainty that surrounds our possessions and sport.

And not only that, could you imagine the reaction of ACPO? Andy Marsh would probably blow a gasket as it's not his idea. We could even enlist the help of the former ACPO lead on Firearms, ACC Adrian Whiting, who has now retired and is a life long FAC and SGC holder. He presented some of the most sensible suggestions to the Home Affairs Committee that the police have ever offered!

Lets face them head on at their own game.

Now I know everyone has a different idea as to what licensing should be. I imagine my utopia would make many people "bulgey eyed"! But it's probably fair to say that we all want a fair system, where the individual is licensed and not the gun and where red tape and hindrances are removed and we are allowed to conduct our lawful sport in peace. I for one am fed up with the constant uncertainty that surrounds our possessions and sport.

And not only that, could you imagine the reaction of ACPO? Andy Marsh would probably blow a gasket as it's not his idea. We could even enlist the help of the former ACPO lead on Firearms, ACC Adrian Whiting, who has now retired and is a life long FAC and SGC holder. He presented some of the most sensible suggestions to the Home Affairs Committee that the police have ever offered!

clapclap clapclap Good words Sim, and he's right. The reason they get away with so much is because we always back down, we never say NO to the jobsworths and the self appointed law makers who continually make new "laws" that clubs meekly follow.

In fact I am surprised this hasn't already been contracted out to some "organisation" elsewhere.

I believe that a workable model could be put forward for such an agency thereby relieving the various police forces of such an "onerous" task and thereby allowing them to reposition resources to their core functions. After all they have been relieved of some of their responsibilities in various other areas over the years such as traffic management on the motorways which has to some extent been devolved to the highways agencies.

An interesting idea, Simon.

My question is - Even though the MoD Police is a National Force has it got enough of a national presence to take over the role?

Edit: Under the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review the MoD Police is to lose up to 50% of it's stations, 20% of staff and concentrate on 'high end' tasks by 2016 - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... -jobs.html

Like the idea mate :)

You'll have to tell me about your idea of utopia next time I see you!

Somewhere in the region of 3000 officers in over 50 locations in all four of the UK countries....

It is more than achievable.

techguy wrote: You'll have to tell me about your idea of utopia next time I see you!

I think you'd like it! Just wait till I'm Home Secretary....!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Sandgroper wrote:Edit: Under the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review the MoD Police is to lose up to 50% of it's stations, 20% of staff and concentrate on 'high end' tasks by 2016 - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... -jobs.html

But, increase their role and anything can happen....

Like all branches of any service, members of MoD plod are fiercely proud of the work they do. I reckon such a thing as Firearms Licensing would fall well within their remit of strategic national defence.

One piece of legislation, adminstered by one agency. Imagine that. Even for the liaison between the shooting organisations and the police. It really could work. Ensuring public safety whilst permitting those to go about their lawful business without fear of an overbearing beaurocracy....

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?

In effect, that's what we have at the minute. Consensus seems to be that at local level, they system is close to breaking point and having either common sense of consistancy applied is more luck than judgement....