Why firearms licensing must be reformed
Martin Parker
BASC’s head of firearms Martin Parker reveals more about current state of firearms licensing, following the recently published report which highlighted significant inconsistencies between forces and record delays.
“Gun licence delays are killing sport” a headline we have seen before but this time it is very real and only major reform can turn the tide.
The firearms licensing service across many quarters is in complete and utter disarray. Delays and subpar performances have been highlighted before, but the current set of delays is truly unprecedented. The current firearms licensing service has been described by our director of firearms, Bill Harriman as the “worst situation I have seen in decades”.
In Northern Ireland alone they have admitted to delays running at over 3,000 individuals. Few forces in England and Wales, if any, will openly admit to their backlogs, but through the annually published Home Office statistics we know that there has been an eight per cent drop in certificate holders over the last two years. That is 47,000 certificate holders who have left or not entered the system
Enquiries into BASC firearm’s team are running at record levels. The same issues arise time and time again, “lack of communication”, “no response” and “not answering the phones”. Week in week out, members are raising new issues.
Where we are right now
BASC believes in an intelligence led service, weighing up public safety against our freedoms, all the time working towards consistency and efficiency. However, the current service could not be further from that vision and something needs to give.
While there are multiple forces undertaking a perfectly sound service under the current set of resources available, the majority are failing their constituents.
Let me be frank, it would be incorrect to cast an accusation across the whole service. These failings fall solely at those at the top, responsible for resourcing and management.
Firearms licensing has been viewed by too many for too long as a Cinderella service, one that is kept in a dark room and kept going on minimal resources. But this is wholly undeserving of shooting’s role as both a sport and importance to the countryside.
The impact is huge
Shooting as a hobby or recreation is incredibly well participated, there are over half a million certificate holders in England and Wales alone. These figures include the tens of thousands that require firearms for their livelihoods. We, through one voice, do not deserve this second-rate service.
How in one force can an individual’s application be turned round in two months and in another it takes over a year? If you were to apply for a grant in a number of forces today, you will possibly not receive your certificate until 2024.
The Home Office statistics show a 24,000 decrease in new applicants in the last two years, these people are either waiting patiently in the queue or, worse, have dropped the idea of applying as a result of the delays.
Delays are not the only problem
Consistently policy decisions are being made on a force-by-force basis. One force might grant a variation for the very same reason another is refused. The statutory guidance brought in 2021 was meant to bring about consistency, but there remain too many loopholes for the forces to choose from.
The medical verification within firearms licensing continues to hinder rather than help. A period of teething was accepted, but after six years an estimated 15 per cent of GPs are still refusing to partake in the system and a digital marker to ensure continuous monitoring is still a work in progress.
Our sport is losing out on new recruits through licensing failures. Our gun shops and shooting grounds are losing out on trade. And as an organisation that represents all shooting we cannot continue to stand by as the system fails us.
BASC’s recent report highlights the significant inconsistencies and delays between the licensing departments in England and Wales. You can read more about the considerable disparities here.
The report recommends a mass reform of firearms licensing. Our vision will be made through a unified service as has been done in Scotland, or creating a regulatory body to oversee all forces.
These recommendations will not be quick fix changes, that alone rests with the allocation of resources from individual forces. Reform will take time, but once complete the improvements will future proof firearms licensing, allowing individuals a consistent, fair and efficient service no matter their postcode.
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