BASC updates on firearms licensing fees hike

[Conor O'Gorman]

Do you have any actual examples of this, in which no other factors were involved.

Plymouth for example., let the perpetrator keep his guns after fighting in a public place and gave them back after doing an anger management course. Is that the fault of inefficient licencing or a complete failure by the Police in general.
Makes for interstate reading.

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https://tgchambers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/KEYHAM-INQUESTS-Combined-PFD-reports-1.pdf

It is both - inefficiencies in managing licensing led to the failures in this case. For example, the findings included that the force did not have robust systems in place concerning the training of firearms licensing staff, or to ensure decisions were made at the correct level, a catastrophic failure in the management of the department, with a lack of managerial supervision, inadequate and ineffective leadership.

 

[Conor O'Gorman]

Suffolk MPs sign letter against rises in shotgun licence fee

'Burden on rural communities' - MPs sign letter against shotgun licence fee hike plan

Two Suffolk MPs, Nick Timothy and Patrick Spencer have signed a letter to the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper against new rises for firearms licences.

www.ipswichstar.co.uk

 

[spurs14]

As I said before I don’t think many shooters are against s rise in the cost of certifications most are against the abysmal service we get so people will pay more with no grantee of improvements and it doesn’t help anyone in the system now waiting !!!

 

[Conor O'Gorman]

As I said before I don’t think many shooters are against s rise in the cost of certifications most are against the abysmal service we get so people will pay more with no grantee of improvements and it doesn’t help anyone in the system now waiting !!!

Yes, some people will have been breathing a sigh of relief that the much bandied about £400 fees rise did not happen. However, the actual rises are still way too high and will hit many people hard, especially as there is no staggered payment system for grants and renewals. Take for example a family where both parents and several children shoot. With GP fees on top that could be close to £1,000 for some to fork out. Think about the many sole traders that now must pay £466 every three years to renewal their registration as a firearms dealer. Given soaring insurance and general business costs, that could be straw that breaks the back for some longstanding gunmakers already considering retirement.

And the fees could keep rising - the Home Office impact statement refers to another rise in three years time. And to what level will that be? We already have the Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner asserting that the new fees "remain significantly short of covering the actual costs to Devon and Cornwall Police".

And as you say no guarantee of improvements. That is the thrust of the letter from the MPs to the policing minister mentioned in the article above in the Ipswich Star. One of the MPs, Patrick Spencer is quoted saying "These increases far exceed inflation and have been imposed without consultation. The system is already slow and inefficient, with some applications taking up to two years. Yet the government provides no guarantees that these extra fees will even fund improvements. I’ve joined cross-party members in calling for transparency, consultation, and a fair system that works for all. It’s time for the government to listen."

 

[enfieldspares]

And why does the police issued Pedler's Licence remain at £12.25 per year? Can someone, please, who has had the generic reply from the Home Office via their MP ask?

 

[M@tt]

If only the money goes into funding firearms certification.

It will go into the general police pot and be distributed as the constabulary sees fit.
Perhaps to help fund the youth crime initiative that liebour have said will be paid for by shooters.

 

[Conor O'Gorman]

So far seven police forces have guaranteed that all, or at least some, of the increased firearms licensing fee funds would go towards improving firearms licensing. These forces are:

• Cheshire
• Dorset
• Gloucestershire
• Leicestershire
• Norfolk
• Staffordshire
• West Mercia

Government's justification for firearms fees increase 'bogus', says BASC

On the day new firearms fees came into effect, just seven of 42 constabularies had confirmed funds would go to improving firearms licensing.

basc.org.uk

 

[Elshad]

The Met will no doubt use it to fund the policing of the Notting Hill Drug and Crime Fest aka Notting Hill Carnival

 

[Apthorpe]

A median point should be set at 6 months (for a grant). For every month after this, the applicant should be refunded £25 per month of delay until a decision is made. This seems like a fair way to implement "full cost recovery" whilst holding the more shambolic forces to account.

6 months??? WTF? It always used to be done within 8 weeks when everything was manual and paper-based. Progress is moving forwards, not backwards. The deadlines need to be tightened, not loosened.

 

[trickie]

Dan Norris my local MP, has yet to reply to my initial email (after an automated response was received). I’d initially emailed him at the end of January. Today I emailed him again, requesting a full answer to my initial email (that was forwarded to BASC.

Let’s live in hope.

trickie

 

[spurs14]

So far seven police forces have guaranteed that all, or at least some, of the increased firearms licensing fee funds would go towards improving firearms licensing. These forces are:

• Cheshire
• Dorset
• Gloucestershire
• Leicestershire
• Norfolk
• Staffordshire
• West Mercia

Government's justification for firearms fees increase 'bogus', says BASC

On the day new firearms fees came into effect, just seven of 42 constabularies had confirmed funds would go to improving firearms licensing.

basc.org.uk

And there is their get out clause !!!! “ All , or at least some “ But I hope I’m proved wrong

 

[Conor O'Gorman]

And there is their get out clause !!!! “ All , or at least some “ But I hope I’m proved wrong

The best thing to do right now, if you have not done so already, is to write to your MP with these concerns asking for them to be raised on your behalf with the policing minister. Keep the pressure on. More and more MPs are hearing our concerns and getting involved - but more of us need to write to our MPs to keep momentum going and to ensure force commitments are set in stone.

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

 

[Mike L]

I wrote to mine on the 25th jan, not heard a peep, I wrote again today.

 

[spurs14]

The best thing to do right now, if you have not done so already, is to write to your MP with these concerns asking for them to be raised on your behalf with the policing minister. Keep the pressure on. More and more MPs are hearing our concerns and getting involved - but more of us need to write to our MPs to keep momentum going and to ensure force commitments are set in stone.

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

I have done

 

[Liveonce]

I wrote to mine on the 25th jan, not heard a peep, I wrote again today.

likewise same date 25th Jan, no reply but dud not expect one as easy ignore us.

 

[Mike L]

likewise same date 25th Jan, no reply but dud not expect one as easy ignore us.

I sent one this morning subject heading ‘ lack of response to constituents emails’, had a reply from his office wallah saying expect a reply soon.

 

[Conor O'Gorman]

I sent one this morning subject heading ‘ lack of response to constituents emails’, had a reply from his office wallah saying expect a reply soon.

Nice one!

 

[trickie]

If I still don’t get a reply within the next couple of weeks, that will be my next move.

 

[Mike L]

I sent one this morning subject heading ‘ lack of response to constituents emails’, had a reply from his office wallah saying expect a reply soon.

Well, I had the reply, have forwarded to BASC

 

[trickie]

A decent reply you’ve received, unfortunately I am still waiting for any reply whatsoever after almost 3 weeks.


I will post here if and when I do receive a reply.

My only comment on your reply is that the Police and Crime Commissioner / Chief Constable are only obligated to follow that recommendation and my understanding is that it’s difficult to force them to spend all the monies raised towards firearms licensing sadly.