Firearms fees hike - why you should contact your MP now

[spanj]

I’ve emailed my MP numerous times on firearms issues but will not be doing so on this matter.

The fees themselves are not wholly unreasonable.

Whilst the licensing system is obviously a shambles, this should be addressed separately rather than rolling them into a rant email about fees.

The fee is just a number, reasonable or otherwise. You can be sure it will be increased and significantly so once this change is made. The first barrier to entry to our sport.

The service from poorly performing forces will not improve and the additional revenue will be frittered away elsewhere. What will we do about this ? Write to the PCC ?

Ive said it before and will say it again for those who cite”its reasonable” and “we should pick our fights” ( ). Firearms licencing is for PUBLIC safety therefore the public should bear the brunt of the cost. How much is a driving licence, LGV or Passport ?

 

[john.g]

Done

SGA member

 

[Elshad]

The new fees are broadly in line with what I pay for the equivalent of an FAC abroad.

The difference being that in said country I can own centrefire self-loading rifles and handguns of any calibre.

Here, I can’t even get a 22 pistol without a coathanger…

I would much rather spend my efforts trying to get 22 pistols back (however unlikely that may be) or other sensible improvements like moderator deregulation, rather than ranting about fees.

I understand the point about shooters sticking together, but I simply don’t think this one specific issue is worth making a fuss over.

 

[GlennUK]

FWIW my MP, Alex Burghart has just booked in a chat with me re shooting/fees.

 

[finnbear270]

The new fees are broadly in line with what I pay for the equivalent of an FAC in Sweden.

The difference being that in Sweden I can own centrefire self-loading rifles and handguns of any calibre.

Here, I can’t even get a 22 pistol without a coathanger…

I would much rather spend my efforts trying to get 22 pistols back (however unlikely that may be) or other sensible improvements like moderator deregulation, rather than ranting about fees.

I understand the point about shooters sticking together, but I simply don’t think this one specific issue is worth making a fuss over.

Ahhh!, Nobody made a fuss over it!, we'll stick this one on them.

 

[eggy74]

I bought a new Hilux 2yr ago with 18% BASC discount which was a massive saving, The discount has more than paid for my membership for the rest of my life, Yes there is other discounts out there but surely BASC isn't all that bad

same discount is available to other organisations. mole valley farmers for instance

 

[JTO]

I put my co-terminous renewal application in online last evening. Although my certs run out after the increases come in, I was only asked for £65. There were a few things that the online procedure couldn't cope with, like my previous GP surgery had gone out of business, so I visited Dorset Police HQ to try to talk to someone about it. "They're not here any more". The lady on reception made a phone call and came back to say everything was in order with my application, but recent rule changes would mean it would be a little complicated!!!!!!!!
I will automatically get an eight week extension!

 

[eggy74]

The new fees are broadly in line with what I pay for the equivalent of an FAC abroad.

The difference being that in said country I can own centrefire self-loading rifles and handguns of any calibre.

Here, I can’t even get a 22 pistol without a coathanger…

I would much rather spend my efforts trying to get 22 pistols back (however unlikely that may be) or other sensible improvements like moderator deregulation, rather than ranting about fees.

I understand the point about shooters sticking together, but I simply don’t think this one specific issue is worth making a fuss over.

Im of the opinion that the increase is not a huge issue, and that it gives the relevant shooting organisations ammo to demand better service from the licencing authorities who are now rolling around in spare cash.

 

[Greenmist]

Im of the opinion that the increase is not a huge issue, and that it gives the relevant shooting organisations ammo to demand better service from the licencing authorities who are now rolling around in spare cash.

Shooting orgs can demand what they wish, but as they have no political clout, they won't change policy. If the government reduced the licence validity to one year and charged £500 per item, what would any of them do, write a strongly worded letter? We don't have an NRA (US version, not bisley rifle club) to fight out corner

 

[Rake Aboot]

Some proper “ I’m alright Jack ” attitudes on display here as usual

 

[Apthorpe]

I bought a new Hilux 2yr ago with 18% BASC discount which was a massive saving, The discount has more than paid for my membership for the rest of my life, Yes there is other discounts out there but surely BASC isn't all that bad

I’m a bit chary of the value of these sorts of discounts. In reality, they’d surely offer the same sort of discount when push csame to shove to anybody. There’s no way that they’re really offering a better than anyone else might get because of the risk of it. What if 100,000 BASC members took it up, and got their £5k off? It would cost the dealers half a billion pounds and no company is going to put that sort of money at risk.
I’m sure it made the process easier and less painful, which has its own value.

 

[Apthorpe]

Some proper “ I’m alright Jack ” attitudes on display here as usual

I’d say more of an unwillingness to engage in crying wolf. Obviously, given it’s been 10 years, some sort of increase was warranted anyway (I entirely agree with those angry at the incompetence of the police admin). However, to claim that it’s so egregious as to be a threat to public safety is arguably unreasonable. If we make spurious fusses like that, we can’t expect to then be taken seriously when it comes to more significant or more costly issues.

 

[Liveonce]

Well as many look to be happy with the inflation busting fee increases let’s just hope the money reaches the firearms licencing teams and we get what we are paying for. If not I am sure the government will be back for more.

You won’t mind either that, Hull, Express and Eley are apparently all increasing cartridge prices from 1st February I bet the rest will follow.

 

[finnbear270]

I’d say more of an unwillingness to engage in crying wolf. Obviously, given it’s been 10 years, some sort of increase was warranted anyway (I entirely agree with those angry at the incompetence of the police admin). However, to claim that it’s so egregious as to be a threat to public safety is arguably unreasonable. If we make spurious fusses like that, we can’t expect to then be taken seriously when it comes to more significant or more costly issues.

The significant issue is;
We are ignored, We are a minority, We are having to suck up whatever the establishment wishes. Endex.

 

[Conor O'Gorman]

I would much rather spend my efforts trying to get 22 pistols back (however unlikely that may be) or other sensible improvements like moderator deregulation, rather than ranting about fees.

A decade ago a few of us from various organisations tried to get back the ownership and use of .22 calibre Rimfire pistols for sporting purposes in England, Wales and Scotland, starting with a government petition. The organisations and sporting press backed this UNITY campaign and the lack of unity was a rude awakening with only 21K signatures secured.

Archived Petition: Allow the ownership and use of .22 calibre Rimfire pistols for sporting purposes in England, Wales and Scotland.

We the undersigned respectfully petition the Government to amend the Firearms Acts to allow the ownership and use of .22 calibre Rimfire pistols for competitive sporting purposes in England, Wales and Scotland. We the undersigned therefore request that the Government: 1. Repeal the Firearms...

petition.parliament.uk

BASC has pressed the Home Office to continue what the last government started and take sound moderators out of the licensing system and we have been told by civil servants that this is still on the agenda, and we will continue to lobby for this to happen.

The fight right now is about the government’s proposals for licensing fee increases that were announced without proper consultation, nor assurances that the income raised from changes will be allocated to police firearms licensing departments.

The latest BASC advice on writing to your MP is here:

Do your bit in the fight for a fair deal on firearms licensing fees

Writing to your MP is top of the list in terms of what you can you do to assist BASC in fighting for a fair deal on firearms licensing fees.

basc.org.uk

A PigeonWatch forum member has suggested the following text for those emails/letters which I think is an excellent summary:

As certificate holders, we are now facing full cost recovery, effectively bearing the burden of a process that is necessitated not by us but by government and police requirements. While we understand the need for licensing to ensure safety and compliance, it is only fair to expect a timely and efficient service in return. This should include clear and enforceable deadlines for processing renewals and grants to avoid the undue stress and disruption currently experienced by many shooters.

 

[WEE-BUCK]

Reasonable fees compared to membership at say golfclub. wont be signing.

 

[Morkai]

Reasonable fees compared to membership at say golfclub. wont be signing.

But the issue is more about the lack of consultation and the guarantee the fees go to the right places, not the actual price hike?

 

[finnbear270]

^^^^^^^^^^THIS

 

[WEE-BUCK]

But the issue is more about the lack of consultation and the guarantee the fees go to the right places, not the actual price hike?

I can get that. Its been muttered about for years. its come as no real surpise. When council tax or road tax etc is increased theres no consultation etc.

 

[charlie222]

I've contacted my MP. If there's no guarantees forthcoming about the fees being ring fenced for FLDs then its just a cynical tax raid and should be exposed as such.