[ad_1]
Starting November 1, the process for obtaining a firearm license in the United Kingdom is set to get harder and more invasive. On October 20, the Tory government issued new “statutory guidance” relating to firearm licensing and announced that “No one will be given a firearms license unless the police have reviewed information from a registered doctor setting out whether or not the applicant has any relevant medical history…” Extending beyond a medical veto on firearms licenses, the UK Home Office also announced guidance encouraging law enforcement to delve into an applicant’s social media and financial history when making license determinations.
Under UK law, a subject may not possess, purchase, or acquire a shotgun or rifle without a shotgun or firearm certificate/license. The already onerous application process requires an applicant to divulge sensitive personal information, including medical data and contact information for the applicant’s general practitioner. An applicant must detail their firearm storage arrangements, which are subject to warrantless inspection. The applicant must also provide justification for possessing a shotgun or rifle and two character references.
This attack on gun ownership and medical privacy has been in the works for quite some time. Back in 2015, NRA-ILA informed gun owners of the UK government’s interest in further tracking gun owners’ medical records.
At that time, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) issued a report titled, “Targeting the risk: An inspection of the efficiency and effectiveness of firearms licensing in police forces in England and Wales.” The report lamented that licensing authorities were not sufficiently embedded in the doctor-patient relationship. HMIC demanded the creation of a system whereby General Practitioners (GPs) would be informed of a patient’s status as a gun owner and would be required to report to licensing authorities “any changes to the medical circumstances” of the licensee.
The new Home Office rules go a great deal further, requiring a GP to sign off on a firearm license application. The document states,
When a person applies for a firearm or shotgun certificate or to be registered as a firearms dealer, the applicant will ask their GP, or a suitably qualified GMC-registered doctor, to provide information to the police which will confirm whether or not the applicant is or has been diagnosed or treated for any relevant medical condition which could affect their ability to possess a firearm safely.
…
It is for the applicant to arrange for the medical information to be sent to the police either with the application itself or, alternatively, direct from the doctor. An application for a certificate will not be granted without such medical information. If medical information is not provided the police should inform the applicant that the application cannot be progressed in the absence of the required information from the doctor and will be refused.
Dismissing civil liberties concerns, the Home Office adopted the collectivist view that “Doctors owe a duty of confidentiality to their patients, but they also have a wider duty to protect and promote the health of… the public.”
The new Home Office rules also encourage law enforcement to conduct other invasive checks on applicants. In a move that will further chill speech on Airstrip One, the document calls for licensing authorities to examine “information obtained from open source social media.”
Exhibiting the worst characteristics of the UK’s ugly classism, the Tory rules also call on police to conduct “credit or other financial checks” as part of the firearm licensing process. The Home Office press release accompanying the statutory guidance cited “unmanaged debt” as problematic.
Excited by his group’s new powers, the deputy chair of the British Medical Association GP committee England stated that he was “pleased” and “delighted” by the rules change. The official also noted, “As doctors we support the government’s overall message – that gun ownership is a privilege and not a right…”
The right to keep and bear arms is an extension of the natural right to self-defense and is not dependent upon government for its existence. As a natural right, it is inherent to all people regardless of political interference. A government may infringe upon this right, but it cannot extinguish it.
As is so often the case, this latest UK infringement offers an important lesson for U.S. gun owners. While announcing the new rules, Home Secretary Priti Patel noted, “The UK has some of the toughest firearms laws in world, but we must never become complacent about these high standards.” Once again, gun control supporters have made clear that no amount of gun restrictions will satisfy them – short of total civilian disarmament.
[ad_2]
Source link
651183 642808Enjoyed looking at this, quite good stuff, thanks . 519425
555057 331534An interesting discussion is worth comment. I believe that you ought to write regarding this subject, it might not be a taboo topic but generally persons are too few to chat on such topics. To another location. Cheers 109069
723741 691877I believe this web internet site has really superb composed topic material articles . 575255
83501 593598A genuinely exciting examine, I might possibly not concur entirely, but you do make some really legitimate points. 121907
252725 277032I tried to submit a comment earlier, although it has not shown up. I will remember this. 679311
952875 340751Visiting begin a business venture around the internet normally indicates exposing your products or services moreover provider not only to some individuals inside your town, but yet to plenty of future prospects who could be more than the internet numerous times. simple internet business 904064
751307 730840Just wanna input on couple of general things, The web site layout is perfect, the articles is extremely superb : D. 896236
694394 461645This will be a excellent web page, might you be interested in doing an interview regarding how you designed it? If so e-mail me! 884368
823530 543375I truly enjoy looking via on this web internet site , it holds superb content . 221756
195737 678424Sweet site , super layout, truly clean and utilize genial . 23396
195682 690314I discovered your weblog website internet website on the internet and appearance some of your early posts. Continue to maintain in the fantastic operate. I just now additional increase your Rss to my MSN News Reader. Seeking toward reading far far more from you discovering out at a later date! 967
633200 987612Delighted for you to discovered this web site write-up, My group is shopping far more often than not regarding this. This can be at this moment surely what I are already seeking and I own book-marked this specific site online far too, Ill often be maintain returning soon enough to appear at on your distinctive blog post. 780792
250410 824444Hello there. I needed to inquire some thingis this a wordpress internet site as we are thinking about transferring across to WP. Moreover did you make this theme all by yourself? Cheers. 702223
Do you mind if I quote a few of your article as
lojg as I rovide credit and sources bck tto you weblog?
My blog site iis in tthe vrry same area of interest as yours aand my visitorss would definitely benesfit from a loot oof thee inforkation you
present here. Plese llet mme know iff thjs alright with you.
Apprecfiate it!
95857 718302 Nice post. I learn something much more challenging on different blogs everyday. It will always be stimulating to read content from other writers and practice a bit something from their store. Id prefer to use some with the content material on my weblog whether you dont mind. Natually Ill give you a link on your internet weblog. Thanks for sharing. 197885
383249 860937I see your point, and I totally appreciate your write-up. For what its worth I will tell all my pals about it, quite resourceful. Later. 401615
590064 786459We may have a link change agreement between us! 992234
219590 645988Intriguing post. Positive that Ill come back here. Great function. 195543
838132 259164Pretty! This was a really amazing post. Thank you for your provided data. cool desktop 295925
403738 795978Interesting web site, i read it but i still have a few questions. shoot me an e-mail and we will talk more becasue i could have an interesting idea for you. 524739
44399 564127Maximize your by how a large amount of gear are employed internationally and will often impart numerous memory utilizing that your is also fighting that is actually a result from our team rrnside the twenty initial centuries. daily deal livingsocial discount baltimore washington 972558
715583 758653Just wanna comment that you have a extremely nice website, I the style and style it truly stands out. 449837
681892 957706This is a appropriate blog for would like to uncover out about this topic. You realize a good deal its almost challenging to argue along (not that I personally would wantHaHa). You actually put the latest spin with a topic thats been discussed for a long time. Amazing stuff, just fantastic! 396116