Medical involvement in firearms licensing

Cheshire Constabulary 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. 

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.

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Greater Manchester Police wants to make it mandatory for anyone applying for the grant or renewal of a shotgun or firearm certificate to provide a letter from their GP confirming that they do not suffer any relevant medical conditions. 

These policy changes are in breach of Home Office guidance.

Greater Manchester Police consulted with Local Medical Committees (LMC) about the policy change but the LMCs have yet to agree a recommendation for a reasonable fee.

Without such an agreement firearm and shotgun certificate holders are at risk of being disadvantaged by GPs charging extortionate fees.

The policy change has already been applied to all new applications made on or after 1 July 2019 and will apply to all renewals of certificates due to expire on or after 1 October 2019. 

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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. 

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.

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Lancashire Constabulary has made it mandatory for anyone applying for the grant or renewal of a shotgun, firearm or explosives certificate to provide a letter from their GP confirming that they do not suffer any relevant medical conditions.

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.

Click here for more information on Lancashire Constabulary

Lincolnshire Police has made it mandatory for anyone applying for the grant or renewal of a shotgun, firearm or explosives certificate to have their medical declaration information verified by their GP.

These policy changes are in breach of 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”.

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Merseyside 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. 

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 Merseyside Police

Nottinghamshire 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. 

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 Nottinghamshire Police

South Yorkshire Police has made a policy change that affects applicants whose GP surgery responds to the initial police letter stating either that they are conscientious objectors or that the practice has decided not to participate in the medical information sharing process. If you are a BASC member and are affected by this policy change please contact our firearms team for advice.

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Thames Valley 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. 

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.

Click here for more information on Thames Valley Police

Gwent 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.

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 Gwent Police