OFFICIAL NFEL (Scotland) – 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. Our focus has been on having
as many officers as possible available to front line operational policing and
support our colleagues in the NHS.
On Monday 23th March, National Firearms and
Explosives Licensing (Scotland) advised that interim processes required to be
put in place in respect of a number of our services. Our position is now that
we have reviewed our ability and capacity regarding the service we can deliver
and will implement the following changes in the timescales indicated:
Variations
We 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 we will accept grant
applications which we will process to the best of our 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. We 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
individual GP’s discretion.
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 the guidelines
outlined, send your application form and fee to your local processing centre.
Please be prepared to accept that we may not be in a position to process your
application within 16 weeks due to circumstances out-with our 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
meantime 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 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 we 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. We 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 this page for guidance and information as we will
continue to review this dynamic situation and publish updates in relation to
any changes in our process.
Change of Address/Transfers In
If you are an existing firearms or shotgun
certificate holder and you require to notify us 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
We 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 we will seek to allocate a future date or a refund if this is
more preferable to you.
Please contact NFEL by email/telephone with any
queries you may have. Our phone lines will only be open to receive calls
between 0900hrs and 1200hrs daily.
We would be obliged if you could refrain from
personal attendance at police offices meantime.
