Firearms fees hike - why you should contact your MP now

[Liveonce]

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.

part of the issue is not just the fees but will the money actually reach the firearms licensing team, given we pay the PCC who can spend it any which way they like.

If we just lie down yet again and take it, is it sending the wrong message ? look at the farmers do they really want to be protesting like they are? History has shown every time we keep quite we get ****ed.

 

[cookingfat]

I have no problem with the increasing licence fees as long as the increase goes towards getting a better service.

I have emailed my MP asking him to look at this matter.

 

[glasshalffull]

Hard enough to get young uns interested in shooting sports and away from their devices and increased licensing fees won't be helpful.

 

[Morkai]

we do not know, just apparently that is likely to be the next time they are reviewing them, if they continue on full cost recovery then they could increase significantly yet again then.

Ah, ok. Thank you.

 

[75]

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.

Pick your battles. This does not feel like one of them to me!

 

[castbullets.co.uk]

Pick your battles. This does not feel like one of them to me!

I find myself reluctantly agreeing with this. I’m fortunate to be in a position where the fee doesn’t trouble me but also I don’t think the new fee level is actually unreasonable overall. For others, this new fee might be a step too far and I understand that but overall I think ranting about the new fees won’t do any good at all.

Decouple the rest of the argument from the fees and they might get more active support from me.

 

[Conor O'Gorman]

They are insuring me, offering me a great range of discounts in things I am actually likely to buy/use and helping to bring kids into the sport instead of ****ing into the wind lobbying M.P's or sending out pointless magazines full of adverts that no one reads

It sounds like you are happy with your shooting organisation. Why then would you spend time and effort trying to undermine BASC and its campaign on this important issue? What is your objective in doing so?

 

[Conor O'Gorman]

Perhaps you could tell us why you believe that this campaign of letter writing is more likely to be successful than the previous half dozen similar campaigns?

Campaigns are effective when enough of us get involved. The last two campaigns have been successful.

Gloucestershire Constabulary reinstating firearm and shotgun grant applications

Gloucestershire firearms licensing: Encouraging signs, but work remains

Gloucestershire Constabulary has confirmed that its ongoing firearms licensing issues are being addressed, following a key meeting with BASC.

basc.org.uk

Government confirming support for grouse shooting in response to Wild Justice petition

BASC welcomes government support for sustainable grouse shooting

BASC has welcomed the Government’s robust response to a petition calling for a ban on driven grouse shooting.

basc.org.uk

 

[75]

It sounds like you are happy with your shooting organisation. Why then would you spend time and effort trying to undermine BASC and its campaign on this important issue? What is your objective in doing so?

Because many in the shooting community don’t feel this is an important issue and that you are barking up the wrong tree.

This being a public forum, members are welcome to express their opinions

 

[Conor O'Gorman]

This being a public forum, members are welcome to express their opinions

Indeed, and as a member I can express my opinions also.

 

[Liveonce]

My view on this is very simple as I have over the years lost my pistols, lost semi auto rifles, all but .22lr, if we do nothing we continue to be an easy target.

The fee increases are mainly reasonable, with possibly the exception of the RFD increase, however we have no guarantee the increase will be spent on improving the service we get, just may be by enough of us writing to are MPs then that may ensure the money reaches the firearms teams. Plus full cost recovery is setting a dangerous precedent going forward.

It takes about fifteen minutes to email your MP on an issue that may affect you for many years to come,

 

[Greenmist]

Perhaps you could tell us why you believe that this campaign of letter writing is more likely to be successful than the previous half dozen similar campaigns?

Because on the whole, shooters are an apathetic bunch as shown by every such request, we number in the thousands yet react in the hundreds, I suppose its a plea that may gain a few extra responses.
Supposedly, I don't know the source, but every email/letter represents the views of a given multiple of constituents, if they receive one, probably no change, receive a hundred and a twitch may develop, especially those with a small majority, it takes a couple of minutes of your time, nothing to lose by doing it

 

[Dazb1967]

They are insuring me, offering me a great range of discounts in things I am actually likely to buy/use and helping to bring kids into the sport instead of ****ing into the wind lobbying M.P's or sending out pointless magazines full of adverts that no one reads

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

 

[Liveonce]

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

plus free entry to the game fair.

 

[finnbear270]

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 would appreciate much better, an 18% Improvement in the application of H.O.G.

 

[Dalua]

Pick your battles. This does not feel like one of them to me!

That could well be the epitaph of lawful firearms ownership in the UK.

It's practically no effort at all to email your MP, and even if it does no good it will do no harm.

In many areas the FLD admin seems to be shambolic (not in mine, but still...); and 'full cost recovery' and having to pay for GP's involvement are dangerous (for us) deviations from the spirit of the Firearms Acts: worth drawing to the law-makers' attention, I'd have thought.

 

[Greenmist]

I would appreciate much better, an 18% Improvement in the application of H.O.G.

I agree, I much preferred BASC before the member offers, I even asked how much time was spent brokering the deals, no answer given

 

[HonestJohn]

Shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted

 

[Greenmist]

plus free entry to the game fair.

A five hour drive to look at jacuzzis and knock off chinese chainsaws

 

[Apthorpe]

I'm having difficulty understanding BASC's strong dissatisfaction with increasing licensing costs by some £20per year when they're relatively happier about far, far greater costs of switching to lead free ammunition.