Since 2021, every firearm and shotgun certificate application in England and Wales must include a medical report. While many applicants naturally look to their GP, there are strong reasons why an independent, specialist provider such as ShootCert is often the better choice for shooters, GP practices, and the police.
1. Experience Matters
At ShootCert, we complete more than 5,000 firearms medical reports every year. That level of experience simply cannot be matched by the average GP practice.
For many surgeries, this is a tiny part of their workload. It is little surprise that many GPs either decline to provide the service, or charge a disproportionately high fee because it is not worth their time to build expertise in such a niche area.
2. Faster Turnaround
Applicants regularly tell us they waited months for their GP to return a firearms medical report – in some cases, practices refused altogether. By contrast, ShootCert’s average turnaround time is under 30 days, making the process far more predictable and less stressful.
We understand that licensing deadlines matter, and our processes are designed to keep things moving quickly and fairly.
3. Avoiding Conflicts of Interest
Not all GPs feel comfortable providing firearms medical reports. They may worry that recording certain information could damage their relationship with a long-standing patient, or even lead to confrontation.
By outsourcing this work to a trusted, independent provider, applicants avoid placing their GP in a difficult position. ShootCert doctors work without fear or favour, basing their reports strictly on the medical evidence provided. This protects the GP–patient relationship and ensures impartiality.
4. Adding Crucial Context
The statutory Form 201 used by GPs offers very limited scope. Most of the time it consists of ticking boxes next to relevant medical conditions, without space to provide important background.
ShootCert reports, however, include clear context where appropriate. For example, a history of depression does not automatically bar a person from holding a firearms licence. By providing context, our doctors help licensing departments see the full picture and make the correct decision.
We explore this point further in our article on Depression and Gun Ownership.
5. A Dedicated, Doctor-Led Service
ShootCert is doctor-led and focused exclusively on firearms medical certificates. We don’t do anything else. This dedication means:
6. Peer Review and Expert Oversight
Every ShootCert report benefits from the reassurance of a peer review system. Our doctors work within a supportive structure led by our founder and medical director, Dr Chris Garrett, who has decades of experience both in medicine and shooting. When complex or borderline medical situations arise, our doctors have the ability to discuss cases with Dr Garrett to ensure accuracy, fairness, and consistency. This collaborative approach means that applicants, police forces, and the wider shooting community can trust ShootCert’s reports to be both robust and impartial.
7. Exclusive BASC Partnership
ShootCert is proud to hold an exclusive professional association with BASC (the British Association for Shooting and Conservation). As BASC’s only recommended provider of firearms medical certification, we work closely with the organisation to stay fully aligned with the latest Home Office legislation and statutory guidance. This partnership reflects everything BASC stands for – supporting responsible gun ownership, safeguarding the shooting community, and promoting public safety. By choosing ShootCert, applicants not only benefit from our specialist medical expertise, but also from the confidence of knowing their application is backed by BASC’s trust and recognition.
Why choosing ShootCert make sense
GP practices play a vital role in healthcare, but firearms medical certification is a highly specialised area. With the scale, experience, and focus that GP surgeries simply cannot provide, ShootCert delivers:
For applicants, police, and even GP practices themselves, outsourcing to a specialist like ShootCert is the most effective, efficient, and fair approach.