Any clay pigeon shooters on the forum?
So after a two year break, where I let my license lapse I’m applying for a shotgun licence. It seems that where I am (Essex) the process has been revamped and is now very quick, the delay is that I now have to supply a form completed by my GP, dropped that in the surgery yesterday and was told that as the doctor does it in private time I have to expect it to take 3-4 weeks and cost £60 +vat! Talk about “over a barrel” £60 to do a 5 minute job and there is nowhere else I can get it done.
Anyway, just wondered who’s else shoots and what you use, last gun was a Blazer F3 but I’m looking at a Browning Cynergy this time round.
Any clay pigeon shooters on the forum?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
watchstudent
Speaking as a GP trainee so very biased! I think the fee is totally fair. You are right GPs do not have to charge, but they should.
You aren’t just paying for the GPs time to fill in a form, they have to search through your records (not as easy as it sounds with NHS IT) and more importantly you are paying for the GP taking the responsibility to say you are medically fit to own a gun. For me it is the liability that costs the money.
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Whilst I appreciate in principle where you’re coming from, unfortunately it is not as straight forward. This has been a highly contested argument since it’s introduction and the GP fee as a whole is genuinely unwarranted and unnecessary, hence why in the FEO template GP letter it states that the fee is at the discretion of the GP, otherwise it would be mandatory.
It takes the GP no more time then a typical appointment, of which we all have a right to request and attend. This in fact is how I request my GP confirmation. A face to face appointment, so he can 1 asses me there in person and 2 see me in person to familiarise himself with who I am. Hand him the letter, checks his computer for anything the letter refers too, signs it job done. Doesn’t need a £60 fee, my GP agrees .
Also this is only a request for information relating to certain issues, mostly relating to mental health or heart issues etc. it is does not seek a professional opinion as to the suitability to hold a Firearms/Shotgun certificate, as this decision lies solely with the police
Any clay pigeon shooters on the forum?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Kingstepper
Don’t see why NHS should pay the GP to do this.
Who pays for the NHS?
Any clay pigeon shooters on the forum?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
oldoakknives
Why not? License holders pay taxes and National Insurance as well.
Thought it was obvious - it’’s a healthcare service.
Any clay pigeon shooters on the forum?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
watchstudent
Firstly, I really wasn't trying to be personal, and I don't think I was, please try not to make it personal yourself, as in the first line of your last post. I perfectly understood your point, thank you.
I totally appreciate it is not up to the GP to grant the license. However, they are asking the GP to confirm whether or not the applicant has had any of those conditions. They are asking for a professional opinion on that. So, a good example there is "acute stress", in actual fact a diagnosis of that could be very easily missed on a patients records, as could a number of other things on that list. If I miss a diagnosis on a record, then a coroner finds that diagnosis to be relevant in a fatal incident, then I will rightly be partially liable for that.
At the end of the day, it isn't your fault you have to ask a GP, but it also isn't the GPs fault that they have to be asked either.
Just to confirm, I’m not taking it personal one bit, but you have to understand being awarded any license to hold a firearm/shotgun is a huge responsibility and also an honour that you are considered to be eligible, this is close to a lot of people’s hearts and hugely misunderstood by GP’s and the public alike. I totally get it as well.
There have been many reported instances of GP’s misunderstanding what it is they are supposed to do, the guidelines are set out to avoid this confusion as there was a time where most GP’s believed it was they that were awarding the right to hold, this isn’t the case. Your first reply steered very close to this misunderstood way of thinking, hence my reply. Quote ‘”I am a professional and I gave my recommendation’” Again I get why it could be interpreted that way also.
A diagnosis is simply that. A reported condition, Previously diagnosed by any medical expert and recorded on the patients records. Not an opinion. Eg. Was his leg broken. Yes it was. Past tense statement.
I have also know authorities to revoke licenses when the partner of the license holder has had depression or mental health issues.
They also accept there are limitations to what is possible, as you mentioned paper based records, old legacy systems . Reasonable efforts must be made, that’s all. hence why the carry out a person interview, thus the ultimate liability and final say is down the the local authority as they fully understand this cannot be handled by anyone else but them. Obviously if the applicant had previously had a serious mental health issues which weren’t reported, then they would ask questions why it wasn’t mentioned on the report, by the GP and also applicant, but would most definitely be picked up on on their visit/interview and the applicant not only denied the license but banned from reapplying indefinitely.
It’s far from easy to get one, it is also your responsibility to report any conditions or infractions whilst your current license is live, anything not reported whilst your under license will see you banned and license revoked.
Get yourself down to the local clay ground for a few rounds, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it doc [emoji106]
Any clay pigeon shooters on the forum?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
watchstudent
I Also £60 seems an absolute bargain - I don't know if GPs can refuse the work or decide their fee but I would want a lot more than £60.
And this is where the main problem lies, as everyone knows GP’s are underpaid right?
https://inews.co.uk/news/health/nhs-...-doctor-515725
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/201...es-pay-boosts/