Recent events and our UK law...

[bigduke6]

Didnt want to highjack Alan,s post regarding his next purchase, so thought i,d start a new thread, Peter is right regarding "watch this space" and we still have the anti gun mob to go out on parade.

Had to send an email to sky news regarding the application process we all go through, one reporter failed to report that our local GP details are required by the Police to check on our mental state of mind, and any past medical history that may be cause for concern.

I also stated that it was the Police who failed in this regarding the gunman in Dunblane.

Think the worst comment i heard was from the ex Police chief of the Met who stated something like, " the longer the person has held his certificate the more checks he should receive and people in the street or close Neighbours should be approached regarding the application".

Now i know why he is the ex Police chief, how stupid can you get, why not print it in the local paper with your address so every criminal in the area will know or what your about to have in your house.

Worst thing at present is that we have a condem goverment, only just in power, cant see them turning a blind eye to this, think we may be in for a rough ride....

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[finloq]

Sad to hear. Funny that in a home for precision firearms manufacturing and with a people that have a reverence for national history; Enfields may (at some point) only be viewable through a glass pane.
I am not judging, just observing (and probably incorrectly as well).

[Peter Laidler]

If everyone had a gun or concealed weapons were allowed, he wouldn't have got past the first base! Ok, I know I'm biased......................

[csmarcher]

Peter, you are bang on my son. If more people thought like you , this like this wouldn't happen.

[Gingercat]

I think that there is a case for instant reporting, to your local constabulary, by your GP (or the NHS) of any change to you mental health or wellbeing.

The husband of a work colleague was signed off work (for many months) from the ambulance service with 'post traumatic stress disorder' and yet still retained his 'hunting' semi auto .22 rifle with silencer. The police would apparently not be aware of his mental health until the next renewal, possibly as long as 5 years distant... that doesn't seem right, or entirely safe, to me.

[Alan de Enfield]

I think that there is a case for instant reporting, to your local constabulary, by your GP (or the NHS) of any change to you mental health or wellbeing.

.

100% agree in principle, but in reality how many GP's know which of their patients hold firearms ?

I dare bet that any enquiry from the Police to a GP is fielded by an 'office girl' who may check the records and declare the applicant 'safe'. The Doctor is probably totally unaware of either the enquiry or the 'patient' holding a firearm.

In the last 15 years I've been to my Doctors surgery only once, and that was for an 'over 50's well man check' (blood pressure, diabetes, weight, chloresterol, etc) so he would not have a clue about my mental state.

[Gingercat]

100% agree in principle, but in reality how many GP's know which of their patients hold firearms ?

I dare bet that any enquiry from the Police to a GP is fielded by an 'office girl' who may check the records and declare the applicant 'safe'. The Doctor is probably totally unaware of either the enquiry or the 'patient' holding a firearm.

In the last 15 years I've been to my Doctors surgery only once, and that was for an 'over 50's well man check' (blood pressure, diabetes, weight, chloresterol, etc) so he would not have a clue about my mental state.

My situation is similar: in our busy local health centre, you're lucky to ever see the same doctor twice. When asked about my mental health, my 'registered' doctor said he'd never met me.

However, I think it would have to work along the lines that if you apply for a firearms or shotgun certificate, the police enquire about your mental state with your GP and at that point they put 'firearms owner' on your medical record, for possible future reference.

[PrinzEugen]

Yes, I couldn't believe the Ian Blair comment re asking a person's neighbours - shows how far he was removed from front line policing. When I got my ticket I was told to let no one know than was absolutely necessary, because the fewer people who know a house contains guns, the less likely it is to be targeted by someone trying to get hold of them.
Also, as has been stated in this thread: as the government has seen fit to create faceless medical centres where actually seeing your gp requires getting through in the half-hour slot you're allowed to book appointments for each day, and with high turn overs of locums/foriegn docs etc passing through; the chances of having much idea of who a firearms owner is are fairly slim. However, I personally wouldn't have a problem with the doctor's surgery knowing. But there is the issue that if you were having depression problems etc and had a firearms cert, it might deter you from seeking treatment, I suppose.
Clearly this is an absolutely awful tragedy and whether there were warning signs which were ignored will come out over time.
If we had a Labour govt (and I'm no tory) we would already be having legislation being rushed through (got a problem: make a new law; was their policy) and at least Cameron's said he isn't going to do that. If they did do something it would probably have to be targeted at shotguns. Full bore shooters (like me) are somewhat isolated from powerful lobbying groups and don't have much of a voice nationally, but shotguns are used by royals, most of the tory cabinet members etc as well as in all manner of ways necessary for management of the countryside - and also in ways which create a lot of revenue for some areas' economies. So...and don't hold me to this...I'm optimistic that it won't lead to another mass banning as followed other awful events such as this.

[bigduke6]

PrinzEugen,


Thanks for mentioning Ian Blair ( could not remember his name)

Like yourself i,m no Tory but My main concern is the Libdem side of the Goverment....

[Beerhunter]

Like yourself i,m no Tory but My main concern is the Libdem side of the Goverment....

Our previous MP (LibDem) was asked prior to his election in 1997 for his views on the handgun ban and he was against it. He won by two votes.

So we can't tar them all with the same brush.

We should be aware of a tack now being taken by many antis. They agree with the PM and Home Secretary that there should be no knee-jerk legislation and then go on to say how and why the law should be changed.

BTW Ian Blair is not alone in his lunatic suggestion for a "Sarah's Law" whereby all one's neighbour would know if one had firearms. No on yet has suggested how they will vet the neighbours to find out which ones are criminals with a less than wholesome interest in who locally has firearms. I have even heard it broached that there should be a National Fireams Database (Which, like so many other suggestions, is already in law.) but that database should be open for anyone to view.