Cumbria police ceases taking FAC applications

Cumbria Constabulary has said it will not accept new firearm and shotgun certificate applications. The force is the latest to step back from fulfilling its duties under the Firearms Act 1968 and its decision was met with severe criticism from BASC.

Martin Parker, BASC’S head of firearms, said: “Cumbria’s public announcement is symptomatic of the failings being seen in firearms licensing departments across England and Wales. Again and again, we are seeing grant applications being sidelined and new entrants to shooting are being unfairly blocked from participating through no fault of their own.”

Mr Parker added: “We are further aware that in Cumbria, delays in renewal applications are reaching breaking point, with Section 7 temporary permits being heavily relied on.”

Cumbria Constabulary provided Shooting Times with a statement, which said: “The firearms licensing unit is experiencing excessive delays in the processing of applications. We want to do what we can to reduce the backlog and, as such, we are undertaking significant investment to acquire new digital systems in order to improve our processes.

As a result, we have had to take the difficult decision to cease accepting firearm and shotgun grant applications.”

BASC has criticised the force’s decision to stop accepting applications