BASC Firearms Licensing support

Northumbria, Humberside and West Yorkshire have faced delays. However, police are ensuring certificate holders are not left in unlawful possession of guns. Those affected receive eight-week Section 28B extensions or, if required, a Section 7 temporary permit.

Joanne recently attended advisory meetings across northern forces and helped train Cumbria Police. She also supported North Yorkshire Police with changes to miniature rifle range licensing, benefiting local clay shooting grounds and rifle clubs.

Renewal times remain slow in Northamptonshire and West Mercia, but progress is improving. Several forces, including Warwickshire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, have created Independent Advisory Groups to improve transparency and communication.

BASC has also delivered firearms licensing training to Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Police during the past year.

All forces, except the City of London Police, now issue Section 28B extensions as standard. Most renewals are completed within the two-month extension period.

Steven regularly helps members resolve issues with expiring certificates. In one case, a lost renewal file was quickly resolved thanks to BASC’s intervention, preventing an unlawful possession situation.

Performance in the East varies greatly. The Beds/Cambs/Herts unit remains the slowest, while Lincolnshire leads with efficient processing.

In some areas, Section 7 temporary permits can last up to 12 months. BASC continues to press for improved service from the Beds/Cambs/Herts department.

Good management has made the difference across the South West. Forces with stable, experienced staff deliver better results.

Renewals are usually processed before expiry or within the extension period. However, GP delays and incorrect medical forms continue to cause issues.

Devon and Cornwall have improved greatly, while Dorset and Wiltshire have added staff to reduce backlogs. Avon and Somerset remain stable, and Gloucestershire is focused on reducing delays.

Renewals across Wales are running on time. Some GPs, however, are refusing to process medical checks. Digital forms also cause problems for some applicants.

Simon recently helped a member who had difficulty transferring medical records after moving to Wales. With BASC’s support, a temporary permit was arranged until records were retrieved and the renewal completed.