PCC: Stop police forces from subsidising gun ownership

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson says the region’s cash-strapped force takes a financial hit of nearly £37 every time every time it issues a firearms certificate.

He said the loss last year was £98,000, while nationally it was £6.4 million.

Current firearms charges do not meet WMP’s administration costs from processing applications and making the relevant checks.

Charges for firearm and shotgun certificates have not increased since April 2015.

In a letter to Amber Rudd, Labour PCC Mr Jameson wrote: “Whilst I can appreciate the fact that responsible gun ownership is perfectly legal, I do not think that hard pressed police forces should be taking a financial hit in order to facilitate them.

“The charges the government sets should adequately cover police costs for gun licenses and if I was allowed to recover costs on gun certificates, I could recruit two extra officers.”

Mr Jamieson said that across England and Wales the savings could increase officer numbers by 130.

He said: "The government sets the charges that Police and Crime Commissioners can charge for certificate applications.

“The simple truth is that the rates the government set are subsidising gun ownership and harming police numbers. I could recruit extra officers if I was allowed to recover costs on gun licencing.

"I have asked the Home Secretary to review the rates to stop police forces subsidising the cost of gun ownership.

"This would be a small, but sensible and easily achievable step for the government to take.

"It can't be right that police forces are not allowed to charge gun owners what it actually costs to process their licenses and make the proper checks.

The government needs to carry out a review as soon as possible."