Medical involvement in firearms licensing
What is happening?
A number of police forces in England and Wales have breached Home Office guidance by imposing mandatory GP screening for all applications for shotgun, firearm and explosives certificates.
If your grant or renewal is with any of the police forces listed in the sections below then you will need to involve your GP as per the instructions given by your police force; and your GP may charge a fee for this service.
If you do not follow your police force’s instructions for GP involvement then your application will not proceed. See the sections below for more information.
What’s our position?
We are strongly opposed to the actions of these police forces and we are challenging these policy changes. Whilst we are working hard to find a political solution we reserve the right to take legal action as and when appropriate.
We want an efficient, cost-effective, robust system of firearms licensing that protects public safety and provides excellent service to the shooting community. We believe that all parties in the licensing process in England, Wales and Scotland should have statutory duties and must include GPs.
How can I help?
If you live within any of the police force areas listed below please write to your Police and Crime Commissioner to raise your concerns.
We want to hear from all members who have experienced problems with medical involvement in firearms licensing. This will help us find solutions to these problems.
England
These policy changes are in breach of Home Office guidance and a reasonable GP fee has not been agreed with Local Medical Committees. Without such an agreement firearm and shotgun certificate holders are at risk of being disadvantaged by GPs charging extortionate fees.
Derbyshire Constabulary has made it mandatory for anyone applying for the grant of a shotgun, firearm or explosives certificate to have their medical declaration information verified by their GP confirming that they do not suffer any relevant medical conditions.
This policy change will also apply to all applications to renew a shotgun, firearms or explosives certificate on or after 1 Feb 2020.
These policy changes are in breach of Home Office guidance and a reasonable GP fee has not been agreed with Local Medical Committees. Without such an agreement firearm and shotgun certificate holders are at risk of being disadvantaged by GPs charging extortionate fees.
Essex Police has made it mandatory for anyone applying for the grant of a shotgun, firearm or explosives certificate to have their medical declaration information verified by their GP confirming that they do not suffer any relevant medical conditions.
This policy change will also apply to all applications to renew a shotgun, firearms or explosives certificate on or after 1 Feb 2020.
These policy changes are in breach of Home Office guidance and a reasonable GP fee has not been agreed with Local Medical Committees. Without such an agreement firearm and shotgun certificate holders are at risk of being disadvantaged by GPs charging extortionate fees.
This policy change will also apply to all applications to renew a shotgun, firearms or explosives certificate on or after 1 January 2020.
These policy changes are in breach of Home Office guidance and a reasonable GP fee has not been agreed with Local Medical Committees. Without such an agreement firearm and shotgun certificate holders are at risk of being disadvantaged by GPs charging extortionate fees.
Click here for more information on Gloucestershire Constabulary
This policy change breaches Home Office guidance and a reasonable GP fee has not been agreed with Local Medical Committees. Without such an agreement firearm and shotgun certificate holders are at risk of being disadvantaged by GPs charging extortionate fees.
Click here for more information on Greater Manchester Police
Kent Police has made it mandatory for anyone applying for the grant or renewal of a shotgun or firearm certificate to have their medical declaration information verified by their GP confirming that they do not suffer any relevant medical conditions.
This policy change breaches Home Office guidance and a reasonable GP fee has not been agreed with Local Medical Committees. Without such an agreement firearm and shotgun certificate holders are at risk of being disadvantaged by GPs charging extortionate fees.
In addition, Lancashire Constabulary has imposed a new requirement for the applicant to supply details of all occupants within their property.
These policy changes are in breach of Home Office guidance and a reasonable GP fee has not been agreed with Local Medical Committees. Without such an agreement firearm and shotgun certificate holders are at risk of being disadvantaged by GPs charging extortionate fees.
This policy change breaches Home Office guidance.
Lincolnshire Police has worked with Local Medical Committees (LMC) and a fee of £40 – £50 plus VAT has been suggested by the LMC to GPs as “a reasonable fee for the initial factual report”.
This policy change breaches Home Office guidance and a reasonable GP fee has not been agreed with Local Medical Committees. Without such an agreement firearm and shotgun certificate holders are at risk of being disadvantaged by GPs charging extortionate fees.
This policy change breaches Home Office guidance and a reasonable GP fee has not been agreed with Local Medical Committees. Without such an agreement firearm and shotgun certificate holders are at risk of being disadvantaged by GPs charging extortionate fees.
These policy changes are in breach of Home Office guidance and a reasonable GP fee has not been agreed with Local Medical Committees. Without such an agreement firearm and shotgun certificate holders are at risk of being disadvantaged by GPs charging extortionate fees.
These policy changes are in breach of Home Office guidance and a reasonable GP fee has not been agreed with Local Medical Committees. Without such an agreement firearm and shotgun certificate holders are at risk of being disadvantaged by GPs charging extortionate fees.
These policy changes are in breach of Home Office guidance and a reasonable GP fee has not been agreed with Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Local Medical Committees. Without such an agreement firearm and shotgun certificate holders are at risk of being disadvantaged by GPs charging extortionate fees.
Wales
These policy changes are in breach of Home Office guidance and a reasonable GP fee has not been agreed with Local Medical Committees. Without such an agreement firearm and shotgun certificate holders are at risk of being disadvantaged by GPs charging extortionate fees.
This webpage will be updated with any new developments on medical involvement in firearms licensing.
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