Recently in the news there has been talk of how your local Police Firearms team are changing the way they conduct renewals for Shotgun Certificates.
Bedfordshire Police in particular and other forces have been criticised for not doing home visits for renewals. I have recently had my renewal come through, without any problems i might add and in good time, i did however have the phone call from them to discuss my application, security, any illnesses etc, which took approximately 10 - 15 minutes, so i have to ask how much longer would the officer have been had they done a home visit?? after all he would have only asked the same questions and then done a visual check on security.
As i am sure the police are aware that legitimate gun holders are NOT likely to say or do anything that will jepordise their licence, so why do they need to waste time, money (which they have little of) driving around making visits.
Another side of this is that Bedforshire Firearms team is moving from the headquarters in Bedford to Hertfordshire Police headquarters, now with this move and the cost of fuel etc are they, other than for first applications, going to be able to afford the time and costs involved driving greater distances to do what can be done over the phone??
I think as long as your circumstances have not change then this is fine, however if you are moving address and especially to another county then yes they should do a home visit.
Interesting times ahead.
Phil
Field and Moor
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