At ShootCert, we pride ourselves on delivering a trusted and efficient service to applicants and Police Firearms Departments across the country. Thanks to strong relationships with GPs and police forces alike, our certificates help speed up the application process for shotgun and firearms licences. However, this trust – built through professionalism, care, and expert review – does come at a cost.
Why Expertise Matters
When it comes to matters as serious as gun ownership, particularly issues concerning mental health, the police must be confident that all pertinent medical information has been thoroughly reviewed by a qualified doctor. Every application demands professional, confidential scrutiny – an essential process that requires time, experience, and absolute accuracy.
There is no room for error. A mistake could have serious consequences, not just for the individual concerned, but for the wider shooting community and the future of the sport as a whole.
The Challenges We Face
While we have always worked hard to keep costs affordable, two key challenges have made a price increase unavoidable:
1. Full Medical History Review
Since the legislation change in November 2021, applicants must now provide a full medical history – from childhood to the present – rather than just the last five or ten years. Some cases are straightforward, but others involve reviewing hundreds of pages of complex medical notes. Crucially, we do not know the complexity until we receive the records, yet every application must be handled with the same level of care.
2. General Practice Cooperation
While many GP surgeries are supportive, others are less cooperative, creating unnecessary delays by restricting access to your medical records or misinterpreting the legal requirements. Dealing with these practices increases our administrative workload and can frustrate applicants, even though we work strictly within Home Office and ICO guidelines. We are becoming increasingly adept at addressing these misunderstandings – but it still demands considerable time and resources.
A Fair Approach to Costs
Following a full audit of our processes, it is clear that the cost of a ShootCert medical certificate must rise. However, we are committed to fairness: the new price will be the same for everyone. We believe no applicant should be penalised if their GP surgery is less cooperative.
At ShootCert, we remain dedicated to supporting responsible gun ownership and protecting the future of shooting sports in the UK. Thank you for your continued trust in our service.