8% reduction in certificate holders in England and Wales

[Conor O'Gorman]

The failure of firearms licensing departments to prioritise resources is having a significant impact on the participation of shooting sports and the gun trade in England and Wales.

Dozens of firearms licensing departments across the two countries are beset with significant delays and backlogs.

We are aware of 18 police forces that are taking more than 100 days to turn around applications, with some accepting that it can take up to a year to process.

One applicant was recently told a certificate would take two and a half years to be granted.

Home Office statistics released annually have shown an eight per cent decrease in certificate holders in England and Wales over the past two years.

The statistics showed that as of 31 March 2022, there were 539,212 people in England and Wales who held a firearms and/or a shotgun certificate. Down from 586,351 on 31 March 2020. A total reduction of 47,139 certificate holders.

There are some departments that are correctly resourced and providing a satisfactory service, but this drop in the number of certificate holders is predominantly down to the failures of the rest.

BASC is calling on the Chief Constables and Police and Crime Commissioners of those forces to act immediately. We shall also be taking our concerns to the new Minister for Policing.

More information:

Firearms licensing failures are impeding the shooting sector

18 police forces are taking more than 100 days to turn around applications.

basc.org.uk

 

[WH308]

Sounds to me like they have achieved their aim, a reduction in privately held firearms without the uproar of any enforced changes. Death by slow suffocation!

 

[Dickie]

All part of the death by a thousand cuts.
Can they tell you how long between taking someone’s money and issuing the certificate can any leverage be used from that? Sale of goods or something like that.

 

[Stevie/P]

Deleted

 

[Greenmist]

So the plans working, how can it fail more to the point, an out of date system that has no accountability or repercussions for poor performance against a community that has no effective representation or protection.

 

[Dickie]

So the plans working, how can it fail more to the point, an out of date system that has no accountability or repercussions for poor performance against a community that has no effective representation or protection.

No consistency between constabulary’s in guidance interpretation.

 

[Andrewslater]

Just as likely the result of compulsory medical reports increasing costs and potentially uncovering problems. Especially as MIND suggests that 1 in 6 people in England suffer from some kind of mental health problem. By that rate I would imagine we can expect to lose about the same amount over the next 12 months as certificates come up for renewal since the GP report requirements.

 

[long_range_rob]

The issue is they appear to be unaccountable. We pay for the service but don’t have any say in the ‘service’ we receive. Rules are created on the whim of senior officers which can result in horrific consequences for certificate holders and the general public. Personally I think the rot comes from government down.

 

[Liveonce]

their aim will be full cost recovery to grant a certificate and their justification will be lack of resource to do the job in a timely manner.

 

[B&W FOX]

At this rate in 5 year's there will be more unlicensed guns in circulation than licensed one's.
And they can't get a grip on either.

 

[Liveonce]

“There are some departments that are correctly resourced and providing a satisfactory service, but this drop in the number of certificate holders is predominantly down to the failures of the rest.”

but not down partly to the added pain and expense of getting a GP report, or down to the significant rising cost of participating in the sport. I am surprised it is only 8% down.

 

[kes]

Not very useful to see - a bit of 'stable door and horse gone' rather than intercepting/monitoring action? Still you pays your money and gets no choice about it - until after the fact.

 

[LarryLightFoot]

Application completed and paid for online 07/04/22 with the Met still waiting been told six months possibly longer by BASC .

 

[One on top of two]

Whats left of our beautiful sport in 5 years simply will not be worth all the hassle

 

[Andrewslater]

Paying for guided stalking with copper ammunition will be the answer for most of us!

 

[Greenmist]

No consistency between constabulary’s in guidance interpretation.

Doesn't have to be, no one to challenge it

 

[Scott Meredith]

Should probably knock a couple percent off to account for Covid deaths. Of the 200000 people with Covid on their death certificate surely several thousand of them were shotgun/ firearm certificate holders?

 

[Rewulf]

The doctors note thing that BASC told us not to participate in will have contributed greatly to those figures.
Many people just couldnt be bothered with it and didnt renew, Im not saying that licencing delays didnt contribute too, but for Conor to come on here and say its all down to delays is quite staggering in its assumption.
People havent renewed because its becoming too much damn trouble, and once the lead ammunition thing starts to kick in , expect it to get far worse.

 

[Liveonce]

may be BASC should also ask how many 1st grant applications are pending in the queue nationally that would tell us if the sport is growing or in decline.

 

[NullMac]

The NHS is a big issue. The hassle and abuse I got from the GP's admin 5 years ago made me seriously question whether I wanted to renew this time around. Instead I decided to have zero tolerance of NHS bull**** and if I get grief this time I will dob the old witch in.

Having said that she may well have been a pain to the GP's as well 'cos when I called this morning I got someone else who could be pleasant Or it was her day off.

Police up here have been great. I am often not really sure what the scoop is and they always straighten me out promptly. We did all the stuff 5 years ago that seem to be a major revelation in England. Not an issue really, witches aside. Paperwork seems to be a bit diminished this time round as well.