Shotgun Renewalls

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

FAC, Shotgun Certificate, Doctors and Depression

Having read with interest over the last few weeks in the shooting press about the Police Firearms Department possibly being given full access to our medical records, i do wonder what all the fuss is about????

My shotgun certificate renewal has recently arrived, so as not to hold things up, i dually completed the form, approached my chosen countersignatory and asked if he would kindly endorse my application, which he obliged, at No cost i might add. However that was as far as i could go, as there was one major stumbling block...............i do not have a doctor!!!!

Anyway, i rang the firearms department and asked what the implications are with me not having a doctor? i was very politely informed that they could not necessarily refuse my application for not having one, however in the light of previous sad events during 2010 and what is likely to happen it would be in my interest to register...which i dually have...Now fingers crossed i get my new licence..

Which brings me onto the subject of "Depression & Gun Licences" i have the opinion that Doctors and Accountants are much the same breed...they know a lot about everything but nothing specific, which i do not feel is good for anyone. Doctors are to quick to give out pills and send you on your way, they have no time to get to know you as a patient and therefore can not give you best advice.

If you are feeling somewhat fed up, depressed, on the edge call it what you may the last place i would go, or even recommend anyone going would be there doctor.....firstly talk to your wife, family, friends and then go and see a councillor, they are professional people and are extremely good at what they do and to top it all off this will not be shown on your Doctors records and the Police will be none the wiser and you will have had proper help and guidance. I can't see how the police will ever find out unless a law is passed in Parliament to say that councillors legally have to inform the police that they are treating a gun licence holder!!! but the how will they know if we don't tell them, as i am sure it is not the shooting that makes us feel depressed it is other factors and shooting possibly helps anyway.

I know several councillors who work in differing fields and when i have mentioned about doctors, police and depression they are totally gobsmacked!!!

So if everyone can please stop moaning about this possible invasion of privacy and just do as we are required and if you need help go to the professionals and let them sort you out everyone will be happy.

Look forward to your comments

Phil
Field and Moor