The General Practitioners Committee

“We have worked closely with the Home Office and the British Medical Association to ensure there are strong controls in place in relation to an applicant's medical suitability which is one element of the application process that the police consider when deciding if an applicant can hold a firearms or shotgun certificate. An applicant is required to declare all relevant medical conditions upon applying and they must provide details of their GP. A proforma is then completed by their GP or an independent”

“We will update our own guidance to reflect that this potential gap exists if external prescribers are not sharing information, or have not been supplied by the patient with information that would be relevant”

“We are also introducing a new FEO Report Form for national use which will require more comprehensive detailing of enquiries undertaken, information received (from in person interviews, police systems and wider investigations deemed appropriate on each individual application) and the rationale for their view on suitability.”