Home Office launches digital medical marker in England

[Conor O'Gorman]

The Home Office has launched a digital marker for firearm and shotgun certificate holders’ medical notes in England:

Strengthened controls to protect the public from medically unfit gun holders

New digital marker system for GPs rolled out to improve monitoring of the health of firearms holders in England.

www.gov.uk

BASC's response:

BASC responds to Home Office's digital medical marker

Read our statement in response to launch of a new digital marker for firearm and shotgun certificate holders' medical notes.

basc.org.uk

 

[palmer_mike]

Is this to be followed by the introduction of 10 year FAC’s?

 

[enfieldspares]

Is this to be followed by the introduction of 10 year FAC’s?

I sure it'd be "welcomed" if it did?

 

[Liveonce]

had a marker of some sort on my medical records for years.

Still now this is in place and officially recognised by the HO then no need for a GP report at renewal then? oh wait Chief Constables will still do as they please.

 

[Liveonce]

do GPs inform the DVLA when drivers

This could include a change in their mental health, diagnosis of a neurological condition or evidence of substance abuse.

after all a vehicle is a lethal weapon in the hands of a drink driver.

Can see this leading to gun owners avoiding their GPs for any condition that may alarm the police.

When I wonder will the report in to Plymouth be completed and made public.

 

[palmer_mike]

I sure it'd be "welcomed" if it did?

Certainly would by me!
I seem to remember BASC agreeing to the whole doctors note thingy as a concession to gain 10 year certs? I’ve probably misremembered that though

 

[B&W FOX]

We have all now been electronically tagged.

 

[Benelli m2]

Not new ive had a marker on mine for a few years now

 

[MW73]

This to me screams of the government appeasing the millions in this country that have been fed fear over the decades perpetuated by the media with stories of all aspects gun crime mainly in the States.

What they don't seem to address is, how much gun crime carried out here in the UK is commited by licensed firearms holders vs. Illegal gun ownership?

Granted I'm straying slightly off topic but in my opinion this along with the proposed lead ban all fall under the same umbrella which is... Remove as many guns out of the hands of citizens as you can and use any means possible.

 

[bullet chucker]

In the write up it said the marker system will take up to 5 years to complete as at the moment it will be applied to, 'NEW' applications/renewals/variations.

BC.

 

[ApexOrdnance]

Had a marker on my records in Wales since 2019. Still have to fork out for another letter on renewal.

 

[Klenchblaize]

Can see this leading to gun owners avoiding their GPs for any condition that may alarm the police.

This has been a concern for many years now.

It informs my suprise that the medical records bit of FAC application does not include a requirement to submit to a medical full health assessment as part the process, and c/o Home Office ‘approved’ professional service provider.

I fear it’s only a matter of time though.

K

 

[Tikka250]

do GPs inform the DVLA when drivers

GP's don't inform the DVLA, but they are required to inform their patient that they have to inform the DVLA.

 

[Sampo]

what else is new?

 

[ApexOrdnance]

This has been a concern for many years now.

It informs my suprise that the medical records bit of FAC application does not include a requirement to submit to a medical full health assessment as part the process, and c/o Home Office ‘approved’ professional service provider.

I fear it’s only a matter of time though.

K

Doc gave me an examination before giving me the ok, possibly partly to justify the £25 fee and also the fact I hadn't been to the doctors for nearly 15yrs. Only the usual stuff like blood pressure, weight, bmi etc. I get annual medicals as part of my job. Turned out I had high blood pressure which actually turned out to be white coat syndrome.

 

[Tikka250]

Can see this leading to gun owners avoiding their GPs for any condition that may alarm the police.

This is exactly the case for some.

 

[375 mag]

So everybody who sees your medical records now knows where to find privately owned guns!
This would explain why seven months I was in hospital for an ultrasound and the opening conversation was am I militry or police and what guns do I use my reply was I've no idea what your talking about and what's that got to with appointment.! It now makes sense there was obviously something on my file.

 

[Liveonce]

So everybody who sees your medical records now knows where to find privately owned guns!

These are medical professionals so nothing to fear, oh wait think shipman and

Doctor found with stash of guns and NHS hitlist jailed

Martin Watt sentenced to 12 years for collecting weapons with intent to endanger life

www.theguardian.com

 

[kes]

Anybody is more trusted than the people who are the most trustworthy.

"BASC is keen to reiterate that a health condition of concern will not automatically mean a certificate’s revocation. Continuous monitoring will only mean greater communication between the police and GPs, resulting in issues being picked up earlier and being dealt with correctly."

Another gem from a BASC which is fettered by its own belief in its importance.

 

[Boosh]

Why do BASC seem to just give up, retreat and just buy some time?
Every time they come up with a solution to pacify heat that is not even there, they just bend us all over in the longterm.
Grow a set BASC, try fighting the line that exists, not shoring up defences for the future where nothing is left.
Sorry.