Firearms for defensive purposes? - A good link

[redskies]

I would have no objection to a psy eval. But my medical records are private, and staying that way. It is, again, too open to abuse and corruption.

[unsure]

ive stayed out of this on purpose but seeing as i have a couple of friends who are big in the local shooting scene .

so in the name of research ,i`ll apply later in the year [ towards spring ]for a shot gun license and see how it goes .it can only be a good thing for me to have . i all ready have a gun safe for my air rifles so i can reuse that for shotguns , seeing as that was what it was built for .
iirc shells have to be stored seperatly and if possible in a differant room .

[12mp82]

I would go for a shot gun certificate/permit rather than a licence, licences are for Section 1 generally, sorry to be a pedant, but we need to be clear so as to avoid confussion, unless you are looking at a section 1 shotgun that is.

iirc shells have to be stored seperatly and if possible in a differant room .

Cartidges are best stored seperately, and preferably in a seperate room, but not sure if it is a legal requirement, I have seen some very strange things when at work in regards to the storage of Shot guns and ammunition, some were definatelly a shock when you think the jumps these people had gone through to get that certificate

[12mp82]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... KGYsuD7MTU


Might help a few who wish to apply for a shotgun permit/certificate

[Triple_sod]

Applying for a firearms/shotgun licence gives the police access to snoop around in your medical records?
Not according to the BMA it doesn’t

The BMA has had further meetings with ACPO and the ICO to discuss the letters being sent from the Police to GPs to enquire whether there is any medical information that might have a bearing on the individual’s suitability to hold a firearm.

We are aware the current system of obtaining information is causing concern for GPs. The BMA and ACPO are looking for a longer and more enduring solution, however owing to the current legislation governing firearms licensing it is anticipated that this will take longer than expected.

In the interim the BMA has agreed that the letters will continue to be sent out to doctors. Doctors are reminded that they are under no obligation to respond to these letters, but should they decide not to, doctors should inform the police as it will otherwise be assumed that there is nothing relevant on the medical record.

Where doctors are happy to respond to these letters, consent to the disclosure of any information should be sought as the letter does not currently indicate that consent has been given. If the patient does not consent to disclosure, this should ordinarily be respected, although the police must be informed to that effect. If, however, the doctor believes that the patient presents an immediate risk of serious harm to themselves or others, information should be disclosed even in the face of an explicit refusal.

Although the current letter from the police states that it does not have to be retained, the BMA has been advised doctors can record the request for information in the medical record and indicate what action, if any, they have undertaken. We are seeking to change the wording of the letter to reflect the position.

There is no nationally agreed fee for this work, it is the BMA’s view that the Police should pay for any work, but we are aware that the police do not accept this view. Serious concerns about a person’s suitability will always take precedent over payment.

http://bma.org.uk/practical-support-at- ... s/firearms

[redskies]

Applying for a firearms/shotgun licence gives the police access to snoop around in your medical records?

Please show me where I said that, because I can't recall typing it!


What I actually said is that it's open to abuse - which it is. So is the whole 'discretion of the chief constable' thing too.

[Triple_sod]

Well…. mea culpa

but I still don’t really understand why you consider it such a big issue?
or how exactly it's open to abuse and corruption?

[Black-Hat]

This thread has just turnt into a tit for tat contest!

Thank you goodnight

[redskies]

Well…. mea culpa

but I still don’t really understand why you consider it such a big issue?
or how exactly it's open to abuse and corruption?

Policemen are not doctors, and have no medical training. Just the same as doctors are not coppers and ditto. They have no place asking doctors those sorts of questions unless a crime has been committed and it's relevant to the investigation - and even then, there should be strict checks and balances. Comes down basically to the fact that I don't trust the government (whatever colour rosette they stuck on the donkey this time) nor any agencies thereof.

In small communities, like the one I live in, there has to be a level of trust between people and professionals; if I go to the docs, I have to trust that the receptionist won't read notes, gossip etc. However, there's nothing to stop a doctor from giving information to prevent me having a firearm. There's nothing stopping a copper with a grudge (and I can think of at least one!) from making sure I don't get one - everyone is related to everyone else here, and those relationships, nepotism and a degree of corruption are present.

As it happens, the docs at my surgery are ok. But it's the system I don't trust, as much as government agencies. By all means, send me for a psych eval, I'll go. Hell, send me yearly or every other year - I'll still go. After all, mental health isn't a static thing. But my medical records are private, and should remain so.

As for the whole chief whatsits discretion thing. What if he doesn't like my brother and takes it out on me? Or another member of my family? I realise that this would be unprofessional, but I also know that there are unprofessional coppers out there. Not all of em, but enough.


(Are you aware of SPINE? I think it's been ditched now, but I was an active campaigner against it when I lived down south, and I would have sued the arse off the NHS if they'd put me in there. For precisely the same reasons; it's MY medical information, and no one other than an attending physician gets to look at it without my written permission. Grooming of the 'hand over personal info without a thought' variety is a personal bug bear of mine, and I don't do it, nor do I comply with frivolous data collection.)

[redskies]

This thread has just turnt into a tit for tat contest!

Thank you goodnight

Communication is back and forth, and it's good. Helps us understand each other, gives us new ideas, helps us to consolidate our own positions and clarify our thoughts. I like it