A bureaucratic conundrum penalises

Following a traumatic brain injury

I have been unable to work and this together with other health issues means I have been classed as being entitled to disability and employment benefits. In February I had to attend a Personal Independence Payment assessment and my claim was dismissed, the disability benefit stopped and employment benefit reduced. One of the reasons was because I hold a shotgun licence. The report said: “You hold an active gun licence and have been certified by the police to be mentally and physically capable of owning a gun.” Therefore, according to them, I must be able to prepare and cook meals, manage all my medications and manage all my finances. The reason I do clay pigeon shooting is for hand/eye co-ordination, social interaction and interest. Can offer me any advice? It took me several attempts to get my licence in the first place because some of my medication was for severe nerve pain but in some circumstances it is given for depression, which was not the reason in my case. It seems to follow that no one with a gun licence has any disability and having a gun licence means any monetary benefits are taken away.

David says: This is not a situation I’ve encountered before. The fact that you are the holder of a shotgun certificate has nothing to do with your medical situation. The police are required to assess whether you are a danger to public safety or the peace, not whether you can cook or manage your finances. Shooting, especially clays, is a sport for the disabled and there are many wheelchair users who shoot and even a few blind people, not to mention those with other disabilities that affect their ability to cope with everyday life. I am not familiar with the appeals process that may be open to you but if you have not already done so I suggest you start it now. The relevant section of the Firearms Act 1968 is S28(1), which reads: “Subject to subsection (1A) below, a shotgun certificate shall be granted or, as the case may be, renewed by the chief officer of police if he is satisfied that the applicant can be permitted to possess a shotgun without danger to the public safety or to the peace.”

Subsection 1A deals with persons who are prohibited from holding a certificate or do not have a good reason and is not relevant in your case. Problems often arise if an applicant is taking medication that can be used for more than one purpose, especially if one of those purposes is depression. It is a well-known issue and one with which the police should be familiar. The problem is they have little medical knowledge, or indeed any other training, and delays or mistakes are often the result.