Who should sign my shotgun certificate renewal?

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Who should sign my shotgun certificate renewal?

If the law was strictly applied most of us would never get a certificate.

By Shotgun certificates

Tuesday, 16 March 2010

My local postmaster has agreed to act as the signatory when my shotgun certificate becomes due for renewal.

However, some doubt has been expressed by others as to whether his position would be sufficient from him to act in such a manner.

He tells me he has signed passport applications without there being a problem and seems to remember signing a shotgun renewal but can't remember if it was for my force or a neighbouring one.

Surely if the position of a signatory is considered of sufficient good standing by one constabulary then it should be good enough for another?

Shotgun certificates
DAVID FROST
The law is a bit of an ass here. Technically the countersignatory should be an MP, JP, Minister of Religion, doctor, lawyer, established civil servant, bank officer or person of similar standing who has known you personally for at least two years.

If the law was strictly applied most of us, including me, would never get a certificate.

The key thing here is the phrase 'similar standing'.

The police are advised by the Home Office to interpret ‘person of similar standing’ widely in the case of people who may have few professional contacts in the community.

The good standing of the countersignatory and their personal knowledge of you are more important than their professional position.

I think the local postmaster, provided he knows you well, is a perfectly satisfactory countersignatory.