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Hi, having had to withdraw my autistic sons SGC application on the basis of a completely incorrect GPs letter we now have a full assessment from a psychiatrist showing he has no issues of any sort with aggression or violence.

Before submitting a new application or asking for a meeting with the FLM prior to doing so can anyone tell me what the legal position is with regard to Durhams insistence on having to submit a request (and a copy of the first page of his application) to his GP and pay for them to send their report to the firearms department?. I know it's not required by HO guidance but this is Durham we're talking about.

This seems completely pointless as his new GP has a. never met him and b. knows nothing about Aspergers Syndrome so is not qualified to make any sort of judgement on his character etc.

The link below is for the Durham Constabulary advisory, in it it also states that,

1. I authorise my Doctor(s) and Specialist(s) to release reports/medical information about my condition relevant to my fitness to hold a firearm and/or shotgun licence to Durham Constabulary both as part of this application process and at any time whilst I hold a firearm and/or shotgun licence. Such information may include details about my physical, social and psychological circumstances, including drug and alcohol use.

and

5. If granted a licence I authorise my GP to record this in my medical notes.

Here's the link, https://www.durham.police.uk/Informatio ... ICANTS.pdf

I'm sure that I read that BASC was advising members not to comply with that requirement, but it isn't mentioned on their website - so I might have read it in the latest magazine, which I can't find!

I would say, if you're a member of a shooting association contact them - sorry for not being more helpful.

Durham do say this is a pilot scheme and they then go onto explain why.

In partnership with Durham Constabulary the Local Medical Council (LMC) which oversees the General Practitioners (GP’s) for County Durham and Darlington has agreed to pilot a new process for providing relevant medical information about applicants for the renewal and / or grant of Firearms and shotgun certificate(s).

This approach has been necessary after a comprehensive Firearms Licensing Review undertaken by Durham Constabulary during 2012 found a significant number of certificate holders who had either deliberately or mistakenly withheld relevant medical information which had a direct bearing on their suitability to remain or become a Firearms and / or Shotgun certificate holder. Having a medical issue is not an automatic bar to being a certificate holder, indeed there are a number of
examples where the Constabulary has worked with and continues to work with individuals and their GP’s to allow them to remain a certificate holder

I am sorry that it impacts you and your son directly and your circumstances are obviously different to many others however Durham Constabulary have explained very clearly what they are doing and why so I suspect you are going to have a battle on your hands. The good news is this will not prevent the two of you from continuing to shoot as normal, or have I missed something?

I believe BASC are advising Durham FAC holders not to comply as it isn't a requirement and is an additional cost.


http://www.shootinggazette.co.uk/news/5 ... mands.html

From the BASC site.

http://www.basc.org.uk/en/media/pressre ... 9614C09CAE

BASC have it on the website here, http://www.basc.org.uk/en/test-section/ ... 9614C09CAE

Another poster on the Pigeon Watch site posted this,

"I recently visited my GP in Kent and whilst sat there noticed that there was a note on my computer record regarding firearms and Kent Police. I asked what it was and he told me that they had been approached by Kent Police regarding my FAC application asking for them to confirm my medical history. Also included on the notes was the letter with which they responded which said that they would not release any such information as that was against the advice of the General Medical Council and would refuse any future requests until the GMC changed their advice..."

Someone posted that they have submitted their application without the form and it's being processed as normal, another posted this ...

"Cousin has just this morning had to pay £11 for his doctor to sign the form...this is 2 days after his license expired due to them losing the 1st form.

When he asked why his new Cert wasn't ready,all he was told repeatedly was,it takes 90days.He pointed out his forms where in 2 days after receiving them..again 90days was mentioned.So he asked why don't you send them out 120days before expiry?

Her response...it's not upto us to remind you of renewals.

Once he told them he would be taking it further because of their incompetence (had the same with his shotgun renewal),his licence is now in the post...BEFORE THE SAID MEDICAL FORM HAS REACHED THEM!!"

What if an applicant does NOT have a doctor ?

What if you deregistered yourself from the doctor and re register after ?

Cousin has just this morning had to pay £11 for his doctor to sign the form...this is 2 days after his license expired due to them losing the 1st form.

Look carefully at the application notes. Are you talking about the doctor being a referee or supplying a medical report? A charge cannot be made to act as a referee.

This is Durham Constabulary ensuring that they have all the authority with none of the responsibility.
It is being driven by the PCC Ron Hogg, who is currently under investigation for financial irregularities whilst Deputy Chief Constable of Cleveland Police Force.
I refrain from commenting on the Chief Constable to avoid potential libel action!!! Nuff said?

I did read somewhere that the wonderful ACPO is suggesting that forces make applicants pay for any medical reports - but that it goes against HO guidance.