Provides a concise overview of suitability assessments in UK firearms licensing, emphasizing the evolving role of Firearms Enquiry Officers (FEOs). It traces the origins of national training for FEOs back to a 1993 HMIC inspection and the post-Dunblane Inquiry (1997), highlighting how suitability has properly become the central consideration in licensing decisions.
Key points include:
- New FEO guidance:
- Definition of suitability:
- Factors affecting suitability:
- Security
- Home environment
- Competency
- Criminality
- Medical considerations
The document warns that Police Forces may overcorrect after years of minimal guidance, leading to potentially excessive scrutiny.
It serves as a practical reference for Certificate Holders preparing for stricter assessments.
