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 elected on 6 May.
As the only shooting organisation that monitors the performance of firearms licensing, BASC’s correspondence highlights the current lack of consistency across forces, the slow uptake of digitalisation, the appalling implementation of medical verifications and the complete lack of uptake of medical markers.
Sophie Hutchinson, BASC’s political affairs manager, said: “BASC has requested commitment from all the candidates that they will budget and make available resources for all necessary improvements within their force.
“Ensuring PCCs understand and support firearms licensing is essential to ensure the system protects public safety and delivers an efficient service that our members can rely on.”
BASC will request meetings with elected PCCs to discuss in further detail the issue of firearms licensing as well as rural and wildlife crime priorities.
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