Medical certificate for shotgun licence renewal

[Wilksy]

Humberside was they needed it something like 3 months before the expiry of your old one to get an extension or you had to put your guns on another license or in a gun shop on the expiry date.

I’m with Humberside, mine renewed just before Covid I put it in as soon as they asked for it and it came back the day before it ran out, about 3 months as you say, no need for a doctors letter though, no mention of it so lucky there

 

[thesilentone]

Yes but when we rang them they said get the form in and the medical can catch up, no form in no extension which is what happened. Also it was confusingly worded where the medical went. Ours went straight to them from the doctor not us anyway, so us waiting for it was pointless

seemed a lot of confusion as it’s the first time a medical was needed for a renewal

Some crazy inconsistencies, my Doctors emailed the report to the local Police, who responded by informing them they were unwilling to accept it, as it had to be a part of the application pack sent by me.

 

[Wombat]

I’m with Humberside, mine renewed just before Covid I put it in as soon as they asked for it and it came back the day before it ran out, about 3 months as you say, no need for a doctors letter though, no mention of it so lucky there

Came in for renewals this last autumn/winter all now need a medical cert, my dads was I think 1st Feb expiry and was in the first batch that needed it

 

[Wombat]

Some crazy inconsistencies, my Doctors emailed the report to the local Police, who responded by informing them they were unwilling to accept it, as it had to be a part of the application pack sent by me.

In the end we got it all sorted and Humberside were very good but it was fairly stressful at time

 

[davidroberts30]

Oh god roll on September

 

[stroller]

Mine only charged £20 and did it in a week, helps that the doc is a member of a local shoot that I supply with wheat!

 

[Ffermer Bach]

Yes but when we rang them they said get the form in and the medical can catch up, no form in no extension which is what happened. Also it was confusingly worded where the medical went. Ours went straight to them from the doctor not us anyway, so us waiting for it was pointless

seemed a lot of confusion as it’s the first time a medical was needed for a renewal

My medical form came to me (I think so I could pay them!). The one thing I learned from the form, is, if anyone has any form of mental issue, never tell your GP, as that could stop getting shot gun certificate renewed - be circumspect with what you tell the Doctor!

 

[kiwi pom]

My medical form came to me (I think so I could pay them!). The one thing I learned from the form, is, if anyone has any form of mental issue, never tell your GP, as that could stop getting shot gun certificate renewed - be circumspect with what you tell the Doctor!

If you have mental health problems, don't tell your GP so you can still get a shotgun certificate?
I don't know what to say to that.

 

[Boysground]

Can you still keep your guns if your old certificate has expired before you get your renewal?
Police just got back to me today and mine runs out in 3 weeks,been filled in for last 2 mths.

Just been through this twice. My brother had his licence run out before it was renewed, he was told to hand his cabinet keys to somebody with a licence which was then recorded. I had his keys for a while. The same happened to me and as I share a cabinet with my son the guns were removed from my licence. In my case I was only without a licence for a few days.

Mine was held up by the doctors, their paperwork said they would send the documents to the police but it was at the surgery waiting for me to get it.

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[Ffermer Bach]

If you have mental health problems, don't tell your GP so you can still get a shotgun certificate?
I don't know what to say to that.

many people suffer from a degree of depression during the ebb and flow of life or after for example bereavement, or maybe struggle with stress for one reason or other, or for that matter grief. I am not advocating not discussing major mental health issues, however, I was thinking being a little circumspect with what one mentions to the GP could be a sensible plan, as a Doctor with an anti shooting agenda could use that information to stop a shot gun certificate being issued.

 

[farenheit]

many people suffer from a degree of depression during the ebb and flow of life or after for example bereavement, or maybe struggle with stress for one reason or other, or for that matter grief. I am not advocating not discussing major mental health issues, however, I was thinking being a little circumspect with what one mentions to the GP could be a sensible plan, as a Doctor with an anti shooting agenda could use that information to stop a shot gun certificate being issued.

This post being the opposite to every bit of advice a farmer should follow if going through tough times. Nice one.

He shot himself because he didn't want to go and see the doctor about his feelings, as he was trying to get a licence for the gun he shot himself with, because he was afraid the doctor may say he shouldn't have a gun.

 

[Ffermer Bach]

This post being the opposite to every bit of advice a farmer should follow if going through tough times. Nice one.

He shot himself because he didn't want to go and see the doctor about his feelings, as he was trying to get a licence for the gun he shot himself with, because he was afraid the doctor may say he shouldn't have a gun.

there are plenty of other people to get advice from, who will be far quicker than the GP anyway, such as JDP, Tir Dewi, CRUSE, Mind, or a private practice psychotherapist, with the GP you will get a referral to CBT therapy and possibly anti depressants (which can be a problem in their own right).

 

[Boysground]

I think encouraging not talking to the doctor for the sake of a licence is not good. There is a very long and emotional thread on here regarding mental health and it’s issues. There can be a rapid downward spiral through no fault of the person suffering. People need to be encouraged to reach out and get help, not talking is just the worst way to go about it.

I have first hand experience of this, I have a gun in my safe (and on my licence) that belongs to a chap who suddenly lost his wife. He was not in a good place and decided to talk rather than do what he was thinking of. A few years on and he is now happy with a new partner. I don’t want to think what could have happened if he didn’t reach out to a mutual friend

I also had a bad time about 10 years ago, I’m fine now. Stress, family and workload got to me. Among others I spoke to an excellent doctor. That is still on my record and I was asked about it when I did my licence this year. I explained the situation and it’s all fine. A different doctor had fairly accurately interpreted the situation from my notes.

Please don’t continue suggesting that people should not see a doctor just in case they might loose a licence

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[Robt]

many people suffer from a degree of depression during the ebb and flow of life or after for example bereavement, or maybe struggle with stress for one reason or other, or for that matter grief. I am not advocating not discussing major mental health issues, however, I was thinking being a little circumspect with what one mentions to the GP could be a sensible plan, as a Doctor with an anti shooting agenda could use that information to stop a shot gun certificate being issued.

Sorry, I don’t think your reply is very helpful or indeed that correct . I had a week off work about 3 years ago due to a slight mental breakdown. My doctors were amazing. I got therapy and pills for a short time. My doctor recorded all this on my medical letter to shogun licence as did I. I had no issues I getting it renewed. If however I had lied it may have been a different out come. If I had ALSO not gone to doctors for help it would have been a very very different outcome in my life.

 

[thesilentone]

Sadly, the Police and Medical Profession together have made a real pigs-ear of firearms licencing. It now appears neither want to be liable for who is ultimately responsible should a problem occur.

In the past, the whole matter was dealt with by the Police, the Government changed that, and introduced the need for a medical report. The medical (private) profession would only agree to make "best efforts" to support the new system, where in some areas in it no issue, in others some GP practices flatly refuse.

GP charges for this service are all over the place, ranging from less than £50 to above £100. Times and delays for renewals are equally as inconsistent as has been seen in this thread.

One thing is for certain, things must change.

Regarding mental problems, most suffer from some sort of mental issue in there life at some point, thankfully most don't need medical help, however some do.

The whole shambles that we are dealing with when renewing shotgun certificates is bound to put people on-guard.

Robt had no problem renewing a shotgun certificate, and rightly so, however the current inconsistencies question would a different force handled it differently, or would they have allowed a firearms licence renewal ?

As I say, in many areas the whole thing is a shambles.

 

[Scholsey]

My medical form came to me (I think so I could pay them!). The one thing I learned from the form, is, if anyone has any form of mental issue, never tell your GP, as that could stop getting shot gun certificate renewed - be circumspect with what you tell the Doctor!

got to be up there with as one of the most stupid TFF posts ever.

 

[Robt]

got to be up there with as the most stupid TFF posts ever.

I wouldn’t go that far just that the advice is poor. We all deal with mental health differently . None of us know Ffermer Bach so we don’t know his reason for that idea. I can only speak from my experience and that is exactly what I wrote. Let’s keep respect whenever mental health is mentioned. There is enough sadness in Agriculture without arguments on here

 

[Scholsey]

I wouldn’t go that far just that the advice is poor. We all deal with mental health differently . None of us know Ffermer Bach so we don’t know his reason for that idea. I can only speak from my experience and that is exactly what I wrote. Let’s keep respect whenever mental health is mentioned. There is enough sadness in Agriculture without arguments on here

I’ve mentioned it before on these type of threads, my OH is a GP and the pressure on them regarding firearms certificates is enormous. Majority of the time they are only working as directed to by unions.

 

[Robt]

I’ve mentioned it before on these type of threads, my OH is a GP and the pressure on them regarding firearms certificates is enormous. Majority of the time they are only working as directed to by unions.

Yes, I have friends that are GP’s . The hours they do are crazy! Certainly not as the media portray them! I wouldn’t want their job. All respect to her and her colleagues

 

[Scholsey]

Yes, I have friends that are GP’s . The hours they do are crazy! Certainly not as the media portray them! I wouldn’t want their job. All respect to her and her colleagues

The hours are irrelevant, they chose to do it to be fair, what they didnt choose to do was be the one who has to gamble their career on whether a patient who they probably havent seen for years is well/sane enough to posess a firearm.