BASC has accused Gloucestershire Constabulary of failing to fulfil a statutory duty by suspending firearm certificate grants.

Within the last few days, the Gloucestershire police force has taken the unilateral decision to suspend grant applications for firearm and shotgun certificates on the grounds of “unexpected resourcing issues”.

It has also stated that applications already in the pipeline will take up to two years to decide – something which BASC says will impact the number of newcomers to shooting.

BASC’s director of firearms, Bill Harriman, said: “This is not only an outrageous decision but an unlawful one too; the police have a legal duty to process applications and cannot pick and choose as they like.

“This lack of customer service could have serious consequence for all shooting sports as it prevents newcomers coming into shooting as they can’t get a certificate. It also affects the shooting retail supply chain. Many rural businesses are struggling to stay afloat as it is, they don’t need the extra pressure.”

BASC has briefed all Gloucestershire MPs and asked them to raise the issue with the county’s new Chief Constable and the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).

BASC has itself protested to the PCC, informed the Home Office that a statutory function is not being discharged and has asked that the Policing Minister is informed.