GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO THE HOME AFFAIRS COMMITTEE INQUIRY INTO FIREARMS CONTROL

29th September 2011

The Government has today responded to the Home Affairs Committee report into Firearms Control. BASC welcomes the fact that there are no further restrictions proposed on shotgun licensing.

Areas of concern to the shooting community in the Home Affairs Select Committee report on firearms control were: 

*The reclassification of shotguns as section 1 firearms.

This will not be pursued and BASC understands the Government has talked about simplifying the process of application and renewal which will benefit the shooting community.

*Young people and shooting.

BASC is delighted that the Government has not damaged the ability of young people to learn safe and responsible gun use.

*Medical concerns on certificate holders.

Proposals for tagging medical records have been dismissed. BASC has been in discussion for some time with the BMA and ACPO about improving contact between the police, GPs and certificate holders. BASC notes that further work is required to ensure that Home Office guidance is followed with regard to medical checks. BASC is also pleased that the Government recognises that there are security and data protection issues involved.

*References from partners or former partners.

BASC is pleased that there are no proposals to introduce a requirement for references for applications or renewals from current or past partners.

*Storage of firearms.

BASC welcomes the news that both the committee and the Government have rejected the anti-gun lobby’s demand for the central storage of firearms.

*Air guns.

The Government has no plan to licence air weapons and says the vast majority are used “safely and responsibly”.

Areas of concern for the shooting community such as fees have yet to be agreed.

BASC notes that a further discussion will take place regarding shotgun licence fees. BASC has the most comprehensive collection of statistics on licensing departments’ performance collected over the past 14 years. BASC believes that issues of efficiency and service will need to be addressed before any increase in fees are justified.

  Government response to Firearms Control Inquiry

Click here for BASC’s reaction to the recommendations in the report

  

HOME AFFAIRS COMMITTEE INQUIRY INTO FIREARMS CONTROL 2010

Home Affairs Select Committee report  - 20th December 2010;

  HASC Report Vol 1

  HASC Report Vol 2

Parliamentary Debate on Firearms Control

Following publication of the Home Affairs Select Commitee report, the House of Commons debated the recommendations later the same day.  During the debate every speaker, except one known anti, paid tribute to importance and responsibility of the shooting community.

  Parliamentary debate transcript - 20th Dec 2010

Click here to watch the debate (starts at 3:48 in video player)

 

BASC's Submissions to the enquiry

BASC's response to the inquiry;

  BASC's Initial response to the Inquiry

BASC's Secondary Submissions;

  BASC's Criminal Use of Firearms Submission

  BASC's Supplementary Submission

  BASC's Security of Firearms Submission

 

 Additional Resources

ACPO Firearms Licensing Review

On 2nd November 2010 the findings of an ACPO review into firearms licensing procedures in Cumbria were published. These findings are likely to be considered by the firearms control inquiry.

The report states that the police, other agencies and the public had no information which should reasonably have led to the revocation of Derrick Bird’s certificates and that no immediately obvious changes need to be made either within the Cumbria constabulary or in the law which would have prevented the tragedy.

  ACPO Firearms Licensing Review Part 1

  ACPO Firearms Licensing Review Part 2

Home Affairs Commitee Evidence Hearing Transcripts & Video

1st hearing

On 14th September 2010 the Home Affairs Select Committee held its first evidence session. BASC explained that Britain’s gun laws are overly complicated and little understood. BASC was supported in its call for greater clarity and simplicity by representatives of the British Shooting Sports Council including the National Rifle Association and Countryside Alliance.

  1st Hearing - 14th September 2010

Click here to watch (starts at 1:09 mins in video player)

2nd hearing

On 26th October 2010 the Home Affairs Select Committee held its second evidence session. During this session there were discussions about whether there should be a greater GP involvement when issuing licences.  BASC’s Mike Eveleigh, who is a former firearms licensing officer explained to MPs that BASC agreed with the status quo, whereby doctors were not approached as a matter of routine but only when there were genuine doubts or concerns about the applicant’s medical history. MPs also heard from the Gun Trade Association and the Countryside Alliance.

  2nd Hearing - 26th October 2010

Click here to watch

3rd hearing

On 2nd November 2010 the Home Affairs Select Committee held its third evidence session.  During this session MPs heard from relatives of the victims and from representatives of the Gun Control Network. BASC’s Bill Harriman was in attendance.

  3rd Hearing - 2nd November 2010

Click here to watch

4th hearing

On 16th November 2010 the Home Affairs Select Committee held its fourth and final evidence session. The committee heard from the representatives of the National Ballistics Intelligence Service (NABIS), the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and the British Medical Association (BMA). Bill Harriman and Mike Eveleigh were in attendance for BASC. The committee heard evidence that the vast majority of gun crime is carried out with illegally held firearms, and that young people and shooting sports pose no risk to society.

  4th Hearing - 16th November 2010 (Morning)

Click here to watch

  4th Hearing - 16th November 2010 (Afternoon)

Click here to watch