Shotgun Certificates - 3 things you need to know 

To help beginners in the licencing process you as a shooting school owner could develop a shotgun competent certificate for them to show the licencing department

Thanks for the information and all your hard work making these videos. (from the USA)

I was lucky and received mine within 7 weeks of applying in hertfordshire another good video david

After finding your channel I've now got mine, we defo need to keep access rights within the sport, £25 doctors and 5 weeks wait time 👍 I'll be down to the school soon to hopefully buy my first shotgun

Love the passion. Keep that and you will make changes

Applied for my license on 2nd March, had a call from the FEO this week scheduling the visit for 27th April - happy to at least hear from them rather than being left in the dark. I would love for this to be improved, the communication is awful. In this day and age you should be able to track the process online; application recived, application under review, FEO visit scheduled etc. It's an archaic system currently. I've been having lessons since sept '21 and i've had one game day, so hopefully this all goes in my favour. Fingers crossed the license arrives quickly after the visit! Cambs constabulary btw!

Brilliant video.

October 2020 Devon and Cornwall… was processed into the system in September 2021… had to chase them up to get them to tell me to do the medical forms…

Good idea to get your safe gun badge through basc as well.

I followed your advices and got a visit from FAO…wish me luck!

Well said 👍

I applied for my shotgun license 2 months ago …i rang South Yorkshire firearms..they told me they still sorting backlog October 2021 so god know when it’s my turn

I got my licence from Leicestershire Police last week. I applied in July so it took 9 months.

I’m pretty lucky, my GP only charged me £25 and my experience with Merseyside police has always been good with both renewals and variations.

A Doctor's certificate is NOT a statutory requirement it is part of Home Office Advice to Police Forces. An applicant makes a declaration on the form as to his health and signs to allow the Police to access the Medical Record if they feel it necessary to do so. The Police have now decided that they will treat it as Law. You soon won't be able to get a Variation to a Firearms Certificate without a Papal Blessing!

I Have been shooting for years and i know a new shooter and he told me he was told to have so many lessons & proof of the lessons before his certificate was granted !!!

Applied 9 days ago, inspector comes round in 7 days making a total of 16 days. Essex way. Told they go by postcode.

whether your local force require experience or not, lincolnshire did, have a couple of clay shooting lessons, it will teach basic safety and point you in the right direction

God you poor blokes in the UK! Come visit us in the US we would love to have you. God speed! Taking your advice, I will show this to every gun owner here in the US so they can see just how good we have it! Thank God for the Second Amendment!

I agree with you David to get lessons before I had £500 worth of lessons when I first applied as my ex land lord said do it and it would look better

My Dr claimed "conscientious objector" luckly it did not cause a problem with West Mids Police and they issued without it.

My doctor took £60 when I gave them the Medical Pro forma form - then 3 weeks later sent it back - blank - saying we don't deal with shotgun applications - keeping the money of course, and knowing full well they were not going to fill it in - so I had to force them to give me my medical history using the freedom of information act, and then sent my notes to ShootCert to fill out my medical form. Then I applied to Staffordshire Firearms in June for my certificate. I JUST had my visit - after making an official complaint on the Police website and also to my MP. There needs to be a standard set which all GP's and Police forces have to abide by - at present it is a big mess - with them all making up their own rules and interpreting things any way they wish - while ignoring the actual law and Home Office guidance.

Application went in for renewal did it online on the 7th of December as my cert ran out on the 2nd of march had an 8 week extension as staffs police are behind so I believe didn’t require doctors report didn’t give you the option on my application just had to sign to give them permission to contact my doctors I helped my friend the other night to do his online and now there is a box where you have to drag and drop your doctors pro thingy

As an American fan of British gun culture and a gun lover in a not so gun friendly state (NJ) I feel it's the same sort of plan that's needed. All those who want to be licensed need to go get it, need to train and practice no matter what other may say. We have to encourage our kids friends neighbors and anyone who will listen to come an learn. We need to organize and demand our politicians listen to us or lose our votes and back legal challenges when possible.

we're lucky Staffordshire are on the ball 👍

It’s taken me 10 months so far but I’ve had my interview so nearly there I hope !

I applied at the start of feb in kent and still to hear anything regarding it!

I'm in North Yorkshire. They have told me 6 months minimum but likely a 2 year wait. I can't belive it.

Police scotland were superb in processing my application

That's the biggest problem in this country.. No solidarity! Shooting sports are all sports be it clay shooting, bench, center fire, rim fire or practical etc. But most are fractured with one group not liking that discipline or another. We need a community that looks out for each other regardless of what you prefer to shoot. Look at the last time we got our chance to have our say and with the amount of legal gun owners out there only a small percentage even filled it out! And then we wonder why we have no clout out there. Until we truly band together we will always be on the loosing end of these discussions.

It's the doctors that are the problem not the police....licence to print money. The system needs to be regulated!

Handed my forms in a year ago and the process is just being wrapped up now. Everything has been sent to the chief inspector now I’m waiting on a final answer. Also I paid £65 for my medical report and it had to be done twice.

My doctor took £60 and Police Scotland took exactly 21 weeks to process my application.

I've been waiting almost 3 months for the GP medical, let alone the actual waiting time of the application. I've been having lessons every other Saturday since I requested the medical and fingers crossed everything goes smoothly. My constabulary is Kent Police and I've been told they're within the margins of about 60 days in total (maybe I'll be lucky).

Just received mine in Hertfordshire, my doctor outright refused to sign the medical form because they are a "christian" practice.... so I had to do a subject access request and then pay a private doctor to sign the form. The police were the easy part. Now to shoot some clays!

From what I've read it says online that the police contact the doctor and send it directly to them as its part of the rules that it must not be touched by yourself or anyone other than the doctors sending it to avoid being tampered with

Hi all! It took me six months to get my cert which I thought was not too bad, gave me time to try a few guns to see what I would probably purchase. The FAO was great, came round had a chat checked to see where I was going to store my cabinet etc. All pretty good really. I was at a shoot in North Devon and I was chatting to some lads from Essex who told me that some of the guys had to wait over a year for their certificates. I am based in the South West and a friend of mine applied in Aug 2021 and still no visit etc. This does seem to be an issue that needs sorting out. Good luck!

A friend of mine in Cornwall applied for her shotgun certificate in September 2021 and has heard absolutely nothing from the firearms team and no replies to her emails. 8 months and counting !

Hi Dave I put in for my licence in Dec 21 and had an email to say it would be 6 months minimum waiting. You've said 56 days should get a licences but I've also heard if you hassle them to try and hurry up process you get put back to the queue? Is it worth me phoning them to try and hurry the licence up ? I'm in a club and shoot twice a week by borrowing guns. Many thanks. Andy.

I can not fault Derbyshire police. I applied for a variation on my fac and had it back within 6 weeks. Good communication all the way through the process

My doctor is wanting £200. I have complained to no avail so now I have to go down the road of private companies to verify my medical.

It seems to me covd is the biggest get out clause I've ever heard of. I applied in January for my renewal certificate in March I'm still waiting . I rang Hull at the end of March who said it was approved and I just had to wait for Scunthorpe police to come and do a house check .It's now April and I'm still waiting .I tried ringing to say I'm in anytime for a visit but I can't get through on the phone so I rang Hull to see if they could give me a number but they said they didn't have one but would send an email on my behalf . Still waiting!!.like you said we are not bad irresponsible people we are trying to keep our hobby\sport alive .

Just got a letter this morning from my doctors asking for £109 to provide the report!

I've been waiting since February for change of address. They said they will send me a letter in March. But I've had nothing yet.

Send mine off to West Murcia police 9 weeks ago and rang them up last week too see what’s going on and they told me they are still doing Decembers applications

Good video as always. Can I submit my online shotgun renewal, upload my photo, pay for it then at a later date when the GP profoma is ready, upload that or email it with say a 2 week period in between ? I have 5 weeks left till it expires. Thanks

Having major issues getting any GP or doctor to sign the medical proforma. My GP wont do it and can't find any private GP that will do it. On top of that, Northumbria police are telling me the turnaround time once the application is in, is 14-16 months which is an absolute joke.

I applied for my license in January 2022 and I haven't heard a single thing since the day I sent it off, it's now October. (Wiltshire)

A medical doctor? What does the note or declaration by the doctor indicate?

I’ve heard from someone i know who was in the metropolitan firearms licensing area that they wouldn’t give them there license until they had lessons which is completely wrong of them to impose there own interpretation of there ideas of the law and what they want

I’m just putting in for my shotgun licence and been told it will be anywhere from 6 months to a year with Avon and Somerset police, anyone had any experience with them recently?

I’m so sorry you guys have to go through all this mess to even own a shotgun. Enjoying the content from the United States!

Put mine in with sussex on the website it told me 24 weeks so just playing the waiting game 10 weeks in . Doctors where brilliant and charged me £30.

Applied for mine 2 nd February with the met not heard nothing yet doctor charged me £90 😱

Live in south Wales and have been waiting 10 months, they refuse to give updates and i cant see the end at this point

hi im trying to get my doctor to sign the form and he does not do it so i have contacted the police and they say any doctor even off line why is this so hard and any doctor just wants to make money off us and if its any doctor he does not know me

Cumbria police are still not able to issue certificates owing to installing a new computer system.

Just applied for my shotgun license doctor charged me 89 quid to fill the proforma in 🙄

David. I have to say in fairness, Leicestershire Firearms Section dealt with my SGC renewal during the Covid situation brilliantly! Perhaps we are missing the point that having a Shotgun Certificate and the right to own shotguns is a legitimate right, so long as the applicant has no criminal history. The need to have a Doctor to say OK has now been slipped in the door. We should simply accord with requirements of the firearms act, and robustly challenge any change to that without legislation. 'Going the extra mile' will just lead to more restrictions, which will become requirements, as is the case with FAC ownership. i.e. Mandatory club membership; proof of training etc. etc..

15 months still waiting in Kent

Unfortunately my GP wanted to charge £250 for my medical certificate. There was no way I was paying that for a simple piece of admin so I went to Shoot Cert. Super easy, fast and efficient service for £75! Wholeheartedly recommend them. Strathclyde Police were no bother at all. My FEO was helpful, informative generally pleasant to deal with. Over all, the process was fine (except my GP🤬). I would urge our US friends to adopt something similar to try cut down on the all too regular, horrendous tragedies experienced there.

I’m curious to find out if anyone has had any recent (within the last 12-18months) experience with North Yorkshire Police regarding a shotgun certificate and the timescale from sending application off to interview with FAO and acceptance/rejection of application. I sent off my application for a shotgun licence a week ago and am wondering if anyone has gone through the process themselves and has any helpful information.

I got mine it took 11 months

Anyone on here applied with South Yorkshire police and how long the application took.

Hello David, I applied to renew my license, all on line, scanning this in, scanning that in, paid the fee then heard nothing for weeks and weeks. I then chased it up by email and got a response a few days later asking me was I still the owner of the three guns listed below. When I looked at the list I owned one of them !! I've never owned or had the makes of the other two listed !! I emailed back listing the three I own, a week later she lady phoned my referee up and a week or so later my license came through, Very bizarre. It seemed that the left hand didn't know what the right hand was doing. And I carnt remember the last time I had a fao check my cabinet or guns either. Not great.

Is the doctors note a new thing or exclusive to mainland UK? I'm in Northern ireland and I didn't have to do that for my license!

I applied for my SGC the week after my first lesson, I'm renewing my membership at the shooting school next month. Still no certificate. I'm going to speak to Basc in Harrogate as I'm a member so I hope they will advise me.

Went shooting for the first time yesterday for a stag doo. Did really well and hit 22 out of 25, now im cruising youtube to figure out how i can do it again and on my own terms. Whats the typical cost I would have to outlay for first year in the sport, supposing i wanted my own gun, safe, licenses and membership?

Is it legal for a citizen of the Uk to use a licensed firearm in self defence/home protection? Like I’m in danger I have a gun I can use it is that legal if I’m not a farmer and do not own my home or land it’s on or is it still criminal discharge basically?

I applied for my SGC back on the 29th of January, my home visit was the 30th of May, the officer said I will probably have to wait 2 to 3 months for my cert through the post, is this normal?

Will driving offences affect it or will have have to wait for them to come off

My application was turned down after one year and they gave reason that I live in a high crime rate area and someone who had similar name as mine did some domestic violence. The dates they gave I was not in the country when that violence was reported. I am appealing the decision. What do you suggest

My form has been with my Doctors for 2 weeks now. All i keep getting is it will be dealt wiht in due course

Hi i have criminal record from 30 years ago will it affect my chances thanks

9 months and still waiting for licence Avon and somerset

I really want a shotgun license since I go hunting with friends and family who hunt with shotguns while I only have a pellet rifle, really want to apply but wouldn't want to waste a lot of money just to get denied due to the area I live in

Those in the US take note of this. Once you add in the fees for a Shooting School, Doctors Note, and the Shotgun license you are talking about 500 pounds to just be able to own a shotgun. You have not even purchased a shotgun. And David thinks Shooting is inexpensive. Every single legislator you are considering voting for must pass the "gun Test". If he is Anti Gun DO NOT VOTE FOR THAT CANDIDATE. For those in England, you have a tougher road to walk. You have already allowed these laws to be passed. Now is the time to start standing up for yourself and start to demand that this ridiculous Law be rescinded. BTW, America's 2nd Amendment is based on an Article in the Magna Carta in 1215 in good old England. That being the right to Maintain and Carry Arms for Defense of King, Country, and Self. As a descendant of English Settlers I am saddened that the British people still bow down for anything their government tells them.

Hi I've been waiting over 12 weeks for my licence grant. Could anyone help me on how I speed this up please?

I have waited basically a year since I submitted my shotgun licence application to Dorset police. I have no criminal record and a clean GP report. In the end, I wrote to the Dorset PCC to complain and also contacted the BASC. That seems to have got things moving along as I heard absolutely nothing. Given it is your legal right to own a firearm should you meet the criteria, I think it's an absolute disgrace that the police are taking so long to process applications. The cynics amongst us, would start thinking that they are doing it own purpose so as to discourage individuals trying to enter the sport.

Re medical information from a doctor, there is no need to pay any money to a surgery for information held about yourself. Under GDPR regulations you are entitled to make a request to have access to any records kept by them free of charge. This is a legal entitlement

Received a phone call from the Warwickshire fire arms office today after applying for my shot gun license a few months back. I have no doubt that this officer had no intention of issuing me a fire arm certificate. His manner on the phone was horrendous. I have no criminal record or any good reason to not be issued a certificate. I’ve heard similar stories from friend which have applied for their licenses and were allocated the same officer. I await my decision letter but one thing is becoming increasingly clear the police do not want you to have a fire arms license and they will do everything in their power to stop you from having one. Unfortunately this sport is only going in one direction and that’s smaller and more restricted. It’s a real shame hopefully I will be successful second time round but I severely doubt it. If anyone has some advice I’m all ears !

Why dr note?? If your are diagnoses depressed does that affect??

Hi David, have you seen the application section for Hampshire constabulary. They are currently saying due to demand and covid the recommend not to apply unless needed as the GP certificate only lasts 6 months.... Do you have a Twitter to show you the screen shot as it's disgraceful. Wanted to get a license and take up the sport for over 2 years and unless renewing it seems people of Hampshire have not been able to apply for new licences.

Thames valley police has just opend up, me and my dad have just appliedand the doctor charged £100 each 😱

My doctors surgery (locally here in Oxfordshire) has quoted £132 for an initial application and £66 for a repeat...has something changed in what they have to do or are they just setting their own price to put people off?

About 30 years ago I had my shotgun certificate revoked in the uk because I had pepper spray in my car , I now live in the states and have an AR15 😂

I have anxiety would I be able to get a certificate

No it costs £79.50 plus the amount GPs want which in my case was £70, some police forced don't want fully GMC registered consultants but insist on GPs (who charge), plus cabinet plus plus plus then YOU don't open on sundays probably because the council refuses to let you due to noise regulations etc - so I don't see any point. Seriously - people want to shoot sundays, not saturdays. You are in Oxford where you know rental is predominant except for the wealthy. How do you think my landlord reacted to the idea of getting a shotgun cabinet bolted to his walls? I retracted my application and won't bother. You are right that shooting is dying, and its pretty obvious why.

Late finding this video. It's quite difficult to get involved in the sport as a young person. Most young people don't own a house that they can install a cabinet inside of. Leaving us at the mercy of the letting agents/landlords. If anyone has any sensible tips, please share.

Surely we can all agree a certificate of competence should be mandatory before a certificate is granted. This must be a positive move for our sport and also good for shooting schools?

Hello every I wonder if you could explain something to me. I apply for a Shotgun certificate. Recently I received an email with refusal. Explaining that there was no stamp from GP ona for. Also because I'm from abroad and I live in UK for 12 years and they want 30 years of medical record. Do the Police really need my medical record from another country, ? Thanks for info

Hi I’ve been quoted £110 for my doctors note 😣is there any way of getting that down

My doctors flatly refused to provide certificate so am forced to rely on an online service , so someone who has never treated or met me will decide just by reading medical notes

Something the sport must have is a much larger and openly public friendly presence on main stream TV and all media platforms. We need to have a loud voice, someone within the world of documentaries and TV sport, to take on an educational and spectator coverage aspect of the sport in all its forms. If we have covered darts, snooker and golf, why not Clay shooting at least? Alongside this, we must present an educational front to take our sport into schools to at least begin to explain what the sport is and how it works. As a body, we are sooooo far behind the world and not maximising the technology or media platforms that exist. In order to break down the hate and barriers which the public see in news stories and an anti gun culture, we have to get more people on side. When was the last time we channel hopped and discovered a shooting TV Channel or coverage of a big European or British clay tournament? When did any sports news presenter trot out the scores for a big shooting competition as a normal part of a sports round up of the weekend? When did you ever see a camera crew at Bisley, to cover a target shooting competition such as the the Imperial match and Queen's Prize? Where are our sports men and women represented to the wider public? Occasionally, at a commonwealth games or Olympics but not part of the day to day experiences of the public. No, it's all hidden and largely a mystery, shrouded in some dark assumed link in the minds of the British public, that gun ownership and shooting is only linked to crime and bad things. Until we master this, our days are marked out in handfuls, as the growing WOKE and anti gun culture grows rapidly. Add to this the negative impacts of endless new legislation, confusion and even negative press within the industry, and we are already well on the back foot. Anyone out there who has influence, works in the media and who loves shooting sports, must try to help. It would be a huge step in the right direction. Educate, enthuse and normalise. De-myth and demystify the whole world of safe and legally maintained shooting sports and we stand a chance. The clock is ticking ever faster at present...

Hi I’m 15 and have applied for my shotgun licence I was wondering if I’m granted it how I will get my gun. Neither of my parents are licence holders but I know people who do. Just wondering if anyone knows how I will if I get it

"My" (I've been registered at a medical centre for 36 years and none of the doctors know me) doctor never replied so the certificate lad asked for my wive's mobile number. My wife and I are separated and isn't it a good thing we still have a good relationship? She made it clear that I'm stable and wouldn't hurt a hair on her head and I have a cert and a couple of guns the past three years. It was a no reply doctor work around if your ex isn't vindictive! BTW She wanted to have a look at my over and under and when she had a go at mounting it....leaning back🤣......she said "It's a lovely pistol". 😂😂 He wanted me to have a lesson first, which I did, and he subsequently contacted the instructor.

Nottingham, 7 days cost nothing. There not all bad.

Does it matter if you haven’t had and criminal convictions for over 10 years I have a criminal back ground but never served over 2 years at once and I haven’t been arrested in 10 years I have adhd aswell but am no risk or threat to anyone I want to start going shooting at weekends

Are you going to put on some cheaper lessons for first time license Applicants???

I’m almost 6mths in, no contact , no update - rather poor service