8% reduction in certificate holders in England and Wales
- Thread starter Conor O'Gorman
- Start date
timbrayford
Well-Known Member
Its abundantly clear that the licensing system at 100 years old is no longer fit for purpose and that all the duplicated effort of each FLD across the country is inefficient and a waste of both shooter's and the general public's resources. The process needs bringing into the digital age enabling a lot of the petty restrictions to be swept aside and above all else we need just one professional agency with properly trained specialist staff to take over the process.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
Sinistral
Well-Known Member
I can't help thinking that BASC are presenting a one-sided view, as they sometimes do. 
As an adult I'd like to be presented with a link to the source figures, as well as the BASC take on them , so have gone off to find this for myself.
There hasn't been time to look at the detail yet.
The Home Office are saying that all new applications for an FAC, SGC, or co-terminous received up to 31st March 2022 were processed and completed.
There has been quite a jump in Revocations, and Applications Refused, and firearms stolen.
I know of at least 20 people who've given up after the long lockdown, including a few who've died.
The medical clearance requirement has added to the delay, explained officially as;-
A range of restrictions relating to the COVID-19 pandemic began on 12 March 2020, and the first UK lockdown measures were announced on 23 March 2020. Some figures presented for the previous year (year ending 31 March 2021) will have been affected by this, particularly those relating to new grant applications and visitor permits. Whilst most comparisons with the previous year have been retained as a valid measure of change over the period, changes should be considered in the context of the pandemic and treated with caution.
As an adult I'd like to be presented with a link to the source figures, as well as the BASC take on them , so have gone off to find this for myself.
There hasn't been time to look at the detail yet.
The Home Office are saying that all new applications for an FAC, SGC, or co-terminous received up to 31st March 2022 were processed and completed.
There has been quite a jump in Revocations, and Applications Refused, and firearms stolen.
I know of at least 20 people who've given up after the long lockdown, including a few who've died.
The medical clearance requirement has added to the delay, explained officially as;-
A range of restrictions relating to the COVID-19 pandemic began on 12 March 2020, and the first UK lockdown measures were announced on 23 March 2020. Some figures presented for the previous year (year ending 31 March 2021) will have been affected by this, particularly those relating to new grant applications and visitor permits. Whilst most comparisons with the previous year have been retained as a valid measure of change over the period, changes should be considered in the context of the pandemic and treated with caution.
As they are prioritising renewals why would a slowing of grants lead to such a sharp decline, are we assuming natural wastage of 8% every 2 years that isn’t getting replaced with new grants?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.
COVID was an issue and has caused a backlog, but also how many people lost ground (and therefore good reason) as they were too scared to go out during lock downs? How many of the 181,000 UK deaths were certificate holders.
To blame this reduction on slower grants seems a bit of a stretch @Conor O'Gorman
Be very careful what you wish for!
Any single agency will most certainly be privately funded and out to make a profit.
One on top of two
Well-Known Member
Bet it’s more than the 8%
Foxyboy43
Well-Known Member
I have copied below my post in the FAC Diary thread. What the shooting community need to realise is that dismal service is totally unacceptable anywhere and then do something about it. Things may have changed since I took the action outlined below but the sooner shooters get off their A*@#+s and do something about it other than complaining on SD the sooner ACPO and individual forces will do something about it. Would you accept this dreadful level of service from anyone else? If so you only have yourself to blame.
“Hmmm. Isuffered endured the same sort of prolonged crap renewal many years ago so finally wrote to the Chief Constable inviting him to the first anniversary party of my application and asking how many colleagues he wished to bring so that I could determine the size of cake required. I also pointed out that my understanding of the Sale of Goods Act/Consumer Credit Act was that he was in breach having cashed my cheque many, many months ago but had not provided the paid for goods so I intended to summons him by name to the Small Claims Court. Three days later my fac appeared in my doorway - an hour after the postman had been! Funny old world innit?”
“Hmmm. I
First, we actually are the public as well as FAC-holder - which is worth keeping in mind.
Second, it seems reasonable for the public to foot most of the bill, as it is the public that benefits from the certification system - which is ostensibly there to improve the maintenance of the Peace, and the safety of the public at large.
Certainly I as a SGC/FAC-holder don't feel that the system benefits me as a lawful firearms-user in any way. The opposite, in fact - it's a PITA. The old SGC wasn't too bad - and the new SGC is only a bit irksome. FAC, on the other hand, Oh boy!
With the cost of it, I'd imagine a couple of rounds would probably be enough. Anyhow, until that comes in I imagine most guides will still be accepting cash.
“ Second, it seems reasonable for the public to foot most of the bill,”
would be interesting to know the budget say for Kent firearms department and how much of that comes from certificate holders and how much from government. Given it is lack of money that drives lack of resource.
would be interesting to know the budget say for Kent firearms department and how much of that comes from certificate holders and how much from government. Given it is lack of money that drives lack of resource.
I had a discussion with the previous crime commisioner who was of the opinion that the full cost should be born by the licence holder and not the taxpayer. I argued that licence holders are tax payers and why is it any different to someone having their car stolen, they dont put the investigation costs onto the insurance company. She didn't have a response.
I joined WAGBI. I left BASC .
Not surprised if you were talking to the wonderful Ann Barnes.
Ann Barnes show 'makes Kent Police a laughing stock
Ann Barnes show 'makes Kent Police a laughing stock'
A TV documentary on Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Ann Barnes made the force a laughing stock, its officers say.
www.bbc.co.uk
I wasn’t justifying or sticking up for it just putting what I was once told.
we all know it’s more broken than a big bag of broken things.
Thats was her for sure. I believe she was educated with diane abbott.Not surprised if you were talking to the wonderful Ann Barnes.
Ann Barnes show 'makes Kent Police a laughing stock
Ann Barnes show 'makes Kent Police a laughing stock'
A TV documentary on Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Ann Barnes made the force a laughing stock, its officers say.
timbrayford
Well-Known Member
Like the DVLA?
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