I'm with Dyfed Powys.Firstly they called me to say my new fac was ready and wouldn't be sent out until I returned my old one.3 weeks after I sent it I was still waiting.I wrote a couple of emails last week to remind them,only one was answered.Finally got my new fac this afternoon with guns missing and only a .22 rf allowed for humane dispatch of cattle even though I asked for the .308. Beggars belief the incompetence of the firearms department.I had to send my new fac back later today to be amended.God knows when I'll get it back!
BASC’s 2020 firearms licensing league table
- Thread starter Conor O'Gorman
- Start date
timbrayford
Well-Known Member
Seriously I've had shotguns & firearms for nearly 50 years and in my experience Hampshire FLD have on several occasions been deliberately awkward. I could go into the evidence in much greater detail but that would fill up a great deal of space on this post. As far as I'm concerned the sooner that we get an independent licensing agency that fully understands the provisions of the firearms act the better!
Frank Homes
Well-Known Member
It would be nice if the OP @Conor O'Gorman responded to some of the points raised.
Sounds like you have a specific problem with either Hampshire or your FLO. I've been very lucky over the past 20 years. Both Essex and Wiltshire as well as the 5 or 6 FLO's I've met over the years have all been very helpful and accommodating. I've built good relationships with all and would hate the thought of it going to a central office and run by a group of faceless box tickers.
Natural England used to be good to deal with when they had good, knowledgable people on the road working with farmers and seeing their ground and problems a couple of times a year for HLS/ELS schemes. Over the past 5 years they have gone far more centralised and never come out to visit. We now deal with box tickers at central office who work to the letter of the rules with zero flexibility and as a result have huge problems, to the point where we would have pulled out of the schemes. Would hate to see that happen to firearms licensing.
Dyfed Powys are still not accepting variations or grants and haven't done so for the best part of the past year and still seem only average for renewals. I wonder what they are doing most days.
Conor O'Gorman
Well-Known Member
I have reviewed the comments and hopefully the following information will help address those comments.
For the last 4 years BASC's firearms licensing league table has been for England and Wales. Information can be sought from PSNI and Police Scotland through FOI and BASC and other organisations have done so in the past. As regards the reference to the UK in the OP this has been rectified on our webpage here:
basc.org.uk
As regards concerns about our comment on the variation in performance levels demonstrating a need for firearms licensing to be dealt with on a national basis there are various options on that theme such as:
basc.org.uk
As regards suggestions by forum members about BASC consulting with its members on policy developments around firearms licensing - if you are a BASC member (or not) feel free to email me at conor.ogorman@basc.org.uk and I will review and pass your views onto the firearms team.
You can also have your say on firearms licensing in the PCC elections. See:
basc.org.uk
See also a Countryside Alliance e-lobby for PCC elections on the wider rural issues here:
www.countryside-alliance.org
If you are interested in influencing policy decision making by BASC a key way of doing so is to participate annually in the election of BASC Council members because BASC Council makes policy decisions. For more information visit:
basc.org.uk
For the last 4 years BASC's firearms licensing league table has been for England and Wales. Information can be sought from PSNI and Police Scotland through FOI and BASC and other organisations have done so in the past. As regards the reference to the UK in the OP this has been rectified on our webpage here:
UK firearms licensing is a postcode lottery
BASC's 2020 firearms licensing league table highlights a stark lack of consistency in application processing times across police forces.
basc.org.uk
As regards concerns about our comment on the variation in performance levels demonstrating a need for firearms licensing to be dealt with on a national basis there are various options on that theme such as:
- A statutory requirement to be placed upon GPs to participate in the licensing procedure.
- The recommendations within the Law Commission’s 2015 report to be actioned, including the unanimously supported codification of the 34 separate pieces of law into one Firearms Act.
- Digitisation of the whole process – removing all paperwork.
- Firearms licensing in England and Wales to be administrated by one dedicated body designed solely for licensing.
What’s the problem with firearms licensing? - BASC
One of the aims of the 2016 Home Office guide to firearms licensing law was to bring about consistency in how the police administered firearms licensing in England and Wales, particularly around medical involvement in the process.
basc.org.uk
As regards suggestions by forum members about BASC consulting with its members on policy developments around firearms licensing - if you are a BASC member (or not) feel free to email me at conor.ogorman@basc.org.uk and I will review and pass your views onto the firearms team.
You can also have your say on firearms licensing in the PCC elections. See:
Fix firearms licensing, BASC tells PCC candidates - BASC
The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) has written to all prospective Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC) to request assurances that improvements will be made to the firearms licensing system if they are successfully Read more…
basc.org.uk
See also a Countryside Alliance e-lobby for PCC elections on the wider rural issues here:
Contact your Police and Crime Commissioner candidate
Countryside Alliance share their e-lobby for you to contact your Police and Crime Commissioner candidate.
www.countryside-alliance.org
If you are interested in influencing policy decision making by BASC a key way of doing so is to participate annually in the election of BASC Council members because BASC Council makes policy decisions. For more information visit:
BASC Council Elections 2023 - The British Association for Shooting and Conservation
BASC Council Elections 2023 Applications for BASC Council elections are now open Do you have the knowledge, experience and drive required to shape BASC’s future direction? Applications are now open for two national Council seats coming up for election in 2023. Regardless of background or length...
basc.org.uk
@Conor O'Gorman , your webpage still says Uk, but no mention of Scotland or NI.
Will you get the figures for the whole of the UK please ( member of BASC asking).
Will you get the figures for the whole of the UK please ( member of BASC asking).
timbrayford
Well-Known Member
There was a long standing senior officer at Hants FLD who was renowned for being as awkward as possible and things improved substantially when he got moved out of the force, however of late they seem to have lapsed back into their old habits. Anyway I've just lodged a 1-4-1 with them, same calibre-different rifle, I hope that it goes through without any problem!
Jezholmes
Well-Known Member
Likewise, so counting days to see how they do. That said, I had a one for one done by them a few months ago that arrived 5 days after posting with great communication by email so fingers crossed it’ll be the same.
BASC is for Englandshire.
Sure there is BASC Scotland but if they are anything like the Scottish flavours of the Conservatives and Labour, they'll have comparatively meager funding and support... and no teeth whatsoever!
Conor O'Gorman
Well-Known Member
Thanks. I have asked colleagues about obtaining and publishing figures for Police Scotland and PSNI. The annual league table is for England and Wales and the references to UK were in error.
Firearms licensing league table
Force Staff Budget FA certs SG certs Certs processed 21/22 Turn- around time (renewal) Turn- around time (grant) Average turn- around time Cost per cert Cert per staff Staff costs A&S 18 464,400 6,400 21,173 5,323 (19.3%) 60 Days 144 Days 102 Days £87.24 295.7 £25,800 Bedfordshire 1,550 6,008...
basc.org.uk
Conor O'Gorman
Well-Known Member
I think that's perhaps a bit harsh. See the following recent updates:
BASC launches Scottish Manifesto - BASC
BASC's Scottish manifesto seeks to ensure that all parliamentarians from all parties recognise the value of shooting in Scotland.
basc.org.uk
Holyrood election hustings for Scotland’s shooting community
BASC has announced two major online Scottish Parliament election hustings for Scotland’s shooting community as May’s poll date draws nearer.
basc.org.uk
Covid fund aids over 100 Scottish country sports tourism businesses
Over 100 Scottish country sports businesses have received a share of a £1m recovery pot following intervention from BASC and the SCSTC.
basc.org.uk
Thanks ConorThanks. I have asked colleagues about obtaining and publishing figures for Police Scotland and PSNI. The annual league table is for England and Wales and the references to UK were in error.
Firearms licensing league table
Force Staff Budget FA certs SG certs Certs processed 21/22 Turn- around time (renewal) Turn- around time (grant) Average turn- around time Cost per cert Cert per staff Staff costs A&S 18 464,400 6,400 21,173 5,323 (19.3%) 60 Days 144 Days 102 Days £87.24 295.7 £25,800 Bedfordshire 1,550 6,008...
How can such variation between CONSTABULARIES be allowed by any government? Lincolnshire are moderate to good but we must never forget they set a precedent for medical certs.
The best ever I had was Warwickshire with Dumfries and Galloway a close second.
It's about time it was centralised as driving licences are.
The best ever I had was Warwickshire with Dumfries and Galloway a close second.
It's about time it was centralised as driving licences are.
Pete1774
Well-Known Member
No need to worry. If the SNP have their way there won't be any need for a licensing dept because all guns will be banned after independence.
I would be interested if you could point me to the source of this information or are you just inventing things to get your post count up ?
I would say by the SNP’s attitude to fieldsports in general, licensing and inability to assist estates during the pandemic there is strong evidence the tartan reich would be quite happy to see guns banned completely for recreational use.
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