Police Scotland - Grants & Renewals Update
(Issued on 20.05.20)
(Issued on 20.05.20)
The following information has gone live on the Police Scotland website here:
NFEL – Coronavirus response
The current unprecedented circumstances in respect of the Coronavirus has impacted on the ability of Police Scotland to deliver a number of business as usual functions. Their focus has been on having as many officers as possible available to front line operational policing and support colleagues in the NHS.
On Monday 23th March, National Firearms and Explosives Licensing advised that interim processes required to be put in place in respect of a number of their services. Police Scotland’s position is now that they have reviewed their ability and capacity regarding the service they can deliver and will implement the following changes in the timescales indicated:
Variations
Police Scotland will accept and process variation applications with immediate effect. Please send the necessary form and fee to your local processing centre.
New Grant Applications
From Monday 1st June Police Scotland will accept grant applications which they will process to the best of their ability. Please be aware however that there are various stages in the grant process including the following:
Completion of a GP response form completed by your doctor
A visit to your home to assess your security arrangements
Please note that a grant application cannot be assessed or supported without both elements being completed.
With regard to the information required from your GP, on receipt of your application form you will be sent a letter which you are required to have completed by your GP. Police Scotland would ask that you send this by post to your GP practice rather than personal attendance. Your GP may wish a face-to-face consultation prior to completing the form however this is at the discretion of each individual GP.
At this time, GP’s may not consider completion of this form a priority and you should be prepared to accept and understand this.
Visits to your home will only be undertaken by prior arrangement with the attending officer after a risk assessment has been completed. You will be asked a series of questions including if you and any family members who reside at your address are in good health or suffering from any symptoms of Coronavirus. You will also be asked if your family members could isolate themselves in another area of your house whilst the visit takes place to facilitate physical distancing. Officers will endeavour to spend the minimum time necessary in your home.
If you are not willing or able to allow access to your home, please do not apply until you are in a position to facilitate this.
If you are content to adhere to the guidelines outlined, send your application form and fee to your local processing centre. Please be prepared to accept that Police Scotland may not be in a position to process your application within 16 weeks due to circumstances out-with their control.
Renewal Applications
Government advice is to avoid non-essential contact and travel and Police Scotland will continue to adhere to this. As a result, home visits undertaken by Firearms Enquiry Officers remain suspended in respect of renewal applications.
If you are currently in the renewal process and have received and completed your renewal pack, you will shortly be contacted by a member of Police Scotland staff. If you wish to proceed with your renewal, this will be managed in the interim period remotely. You will be asked to return your completed paperwork to a processing centre or police office and Police Scotland will endeavour to renew your certificate prior to expiry. If this cannot be achieved, legislative contingencies exist in the form of temporary extensions and temporary permits which will allow you to continue to possess and use your firearms. Police Scotland will aim however to complete your renewal without the need to resort to this.
If your renewal is due between 1 August and 31 December 2020, you will receive your renewal pack as normal in the coming weeks and months. Please refer to the Police Scotland website for guidance and information as they will continue to review this dynamic situation and publish updates in relation to any changes in their processes.
Change of Address/Transfers In
If you are an existing firearms or shotgun certificate holder and you require to notify Police Scotland of a change of address, or are transferring into Scotland from a UK force, this will be processed and you will be communicated with directly.
Visitor Permits
Police Scotland are now in a position to accept Visitor Permit applications. Please be aware however that travel restrictions currently remain in place throughout Scotland and is limited to essential journeys only. If you are considering applying, please refer to the Scottish Government website and guidance in respect of travel arrangements and social distancing before you apply. Please consider your application carefully. Where Visitor Permits have already been granted and you are unable to visit Scotland, you will not be disadvantaged and Police Scotland will seek to allocate a future date or a refund if this is more preferable to you.