www.oliverbrown.co.uk, on 02 Sept 2014 - 11:04 PM, said:
Ok, so I think what would be helpful rather than the ranting would be some constructive input.
I'll start with my ideas and see if we can come up with something to suggest to HO.
A way to safely supply that makes sense to me would be to get suppliers to register with HO and have access to view the database of registered license holders, be able to see the license number and address details. (Possibly be able to update records but I'll come to that)
When a customer wishes to purchase restricted products they would need to post the license to the supplier for the first time, the supplier can then login to the HO database and check if the license is real and all the details match, if the details are correct then the products could be sent by a registered courier to the customer, this would be a chance for HO to capture tracking details of packages to make sure they travel safely, the database could also be updated at this point with the purchase details so HO knows about the purchase even before it arrives with the customer.
I believe this makes photo ID unnecessary for mail orders as even if someone has obtained someone else’s license it is useless to them as the products will ultimately end up being shipped to the owner of the license.
Any thoughts?
That sounds like a very good suggestion.
A similar thing was done when the VCRA came into effect with regards to checking the legitimacy of Airsoft players prior to them being able to purchase a real imitation firearm.
All the responsible retailers formed an association called the UKARA and created a centrally accessible database. Anyone wanting to buy a real imitation firearm or other restricted goods had to be a registered player with their own UKARA number and also be verified as being and active player.
Basically what I am getting at is that a very similar system is already in place with the UKARA. If you place an order, then you have to provide your UKARA numbers and some form of verification - in most instances this is done by using a debit/credit card for the transaction which is in your name and registered to your address. This is then checked against the UKARA database and once clarified the RIF is shipped to the address that is held on the database and no other.
In summary maybe if Joe Bloggs of 123 street could place an order with a pyrotechnics supplier, the supplier can then check the database to verify that a license is held for Joe Blogs of 123 street. Verification Is compounded as Joe Bloggs paid using a visa debit registered to him and the cross check of home address for te card and what is held on the database match. Good are then dispatched to the address held on the database and a signature proof of delivery obtains by the courier.
Then the electronic register/database is updated with transaction details as well as date of dispatch and date of receipt via signature?
Hope that hasn't muddled things