Government response to firearms control inquiry

29 September 2011

The government has responded to the Home Affairs Select Committee’s firearms control inquiry. Use this briefing to find out more about the response and BASC's reaction.

BASC alert to gundog owners in Wales

14 September 2011

A new licensing regime for dog breeders has been proposed in Wales to help prevent bad practices associated with ‘puppy farming’. BASC seeks an exemption for owners of genuine working dogs to produce up to four litters per owner per year (not per bitch) before they are required to register. BASC needs the help of gundog owners in Wales to make its case to the Welsh Assembly Government.

Can scientists help wildfowlers?

8 September 2011

A workshop at an international congress on Wednesday 7 September discussed whether cooperation needs improving between shooters and scientists on the management of migratory birds.

Law Commission to look at wildlife law

31 August 2011

The Law Commission will be reviewing wildlife law in England and Wales with the aim of simplification and modernisation. The Commission explains that inefficiencies in the operation of wildlife law could be having an adverse impact on the contribution of sporting shooting to the UK economy. It also points to inconsistency in the way in which some animals are protected, resulting in unnecessary time and expense for people filling out applications for wildlife licences.

Birmingham Gun Quarter petition

19 August 2011

BASC is campaigning to protect the heritage of Birmingham’s Gun Quarter. Plans to call an area of the city the Gunsmiths Quarter were dropped following objections to use of the word ‘gun’ by only 50 local residents. An online petition has been set up calling for Birmingham City Council to have a rethink. Over 4,000 people have signed the petition. Click on 'more information' to take part.

BASC calls for pilot deer stalking scheme in Northern Ireland

14 July 2011

Three forest service wildlife rangers manage deer populations across 61,000 hectares of woodland in Northern Ireland. BASC believes that their work would be greatly aided by the involvement of the province’s recreational deer stalkers. BASC is calling on its members in Northern Ireland to lobby political representatives in a bid to secure a pilot deer stalking scheme.

Scottish Deer Management Code

14 July 2011

BASC has published its views on a draft code of practice for deer management in Scotland. BASC called on the advice of its Scottish committee and deer advisory committee as well as considering comments received from deer stalkers on BASC’s Have Your Say webpage in developing its response. The final version of the code will be subject to the approval of the Scottish Parliament.

Coastal access - Durham, Norfolk, Kent, Somerset and Cumbria

4 July 2011

Natural England is developing coastal access proposals in Durham, Norfolk, Kent, Somerset and Cumbria. Anyone with shooting interests along the various sections of coast should contact BASC for advice.

Proposals to change firearms legislation in Northern Ireland

9 June 2011

The Northern Ireland Firearms Controls Liaison Committee has met with the Justice Minister to discuss a change in legislation which would allow young people to use airguns and shotguns under supervision and allow firearms dealers to do one-off-one-on transactions for airguns, rifles and handguns already held on a firearms certificate.

Taking firearms and ammunition abroad – cutting red tape

28 April 2011

As a result of proposals to transpose a UN firearms protocol into EU law shooters were in line for an extra layer of red tape before they could take firearms or ammunition anywhere outside the EU. However, thanks to the intervention of FACE, of which BASC is a key member, shooters should be exempt from any additional paperwork required by EU customs control.