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Gun owners in Lincolnshire to face tougher health checks | Gun owners in Lincolnshire to face tougher health checks |
(35 minutes later) | |
A police force has introduced new rules forcing gun users to provide an up-to-date assessment from their GP when applying for or renewing a licence. | |
The Lincolnshire force, which claims to be the first in the country to introduce the rules, said they would safeguard gun owners and the public. | The Lincolnshire force, which claims to be the first in the country to introduce the rules, said they would safeguard gun owners and the public. |
Deputy Chief Constable Craig Naylor said they would help to assess a person's suitability to own a gun. | Deputy Chief Constable Craig Naylor said they would help to assess a person's suitability to own a gun. |
"Just assuming someone is safe to have a gun is extremely dangerous," he said. | "Just assuming someone is safe to have a gun is extremely dangerous," he said. |
Lincolnshire Live: Force's spit hoods plan criticised; Police search for driver who fled Boston crash scene | Lincolnshire Live: Force's spit hoods plan criticised; Police search for driver who fled Boston crash scene |
There are currently about 20,000 licence-holders and 50,000 guns in Lincolnshire. | |
Under the previous system, the force was guided to assume there were no medical issues if an applicant's GP did not respond within 21 days, Mr Naylor said. | Under the previous system, the force was guided to assume there were no medical issues if an applicant's GP did not respond within 21 days, Mr Naylor said. |
"This means that across the country, licences to hold a gun or shotgun are sometimes granted without medical information being obtained by the police, or consideration given to health issues that may increase risk to gun ownership." | "This means that across the country, licences to hold a gun or shotgun are sometimes granted without medical information being obtained by the police, or consideration given to health issues that may increase risk to gun ownership." |
He said the new system would "provide a better understanding of an individual's suitability to have a certificate". | He said the new system would "provide a better understanding of an individual's suitability to have a certificate". |
"We will not be granting anyone a licence unless we have received a medical report from their GP," he added. | "We will not be granting anyone a licence unless we have received a medical report from their GP," he added. |
The force said the restrictions would also reduce the number of incidents where firearms licence-holders took their own lives. | |
The rules apply to new applications from 4 April and renewals, which are required every five years, from 1 August. |
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