A new scheme has been introduced for all applications for the grant or renewal of a firearm or shotgun certificate from 1 April 2016 onwards. The Police will continue in the minority of cases, as they do now, to request a medical report where a relevant medical condition is disclosed or if the Police otherwise suspect any depression, mental illness or associated problem, before deciding whether to grant the application. However, where a medical report is required, the GP’s fee will no longer be met by the Police and it is now the individual who will be liable to pay any fees charged by their doctor.
What is also new is that in all cases where a certificate is granted or renewed, the Police will then ask every certificate holder’s GP if the individual suffers from any relevant medical condition. GPs will also be required to place a code (referred to as the ‘Firearm Reminder Code’) on the patient’s record to signify that the individual is a gun owner, with the expectation that the GP will inform the Police if their patient’s mental health deteriorates.
It is understood that the certificate application form and guidance notes will be updated, and also that further guidance will be issued very shortly to help doctors and the Police operate the new system.
Contact Our Expert Firearms Lawyers
If you are a certificate holder and need expert advice on how these new rules may affect you, please contact our firearms law specialist Laura Saunsbury.
