BASC welcomes withdrawal of NI firearms fees consultation

In a move welcomed by BASC, the Northern Ireland Department of Justice (DoJ) has withdrawn a public consultation on plans to increase all firearms licensing fees by 153 per cent and to make changes to the banded system. 

The withdrawal of the consultation was announced today, following feedback and responses from consultees and stakeholder groups.  

The firearms licensing consultation was launched on 30 March and BASC wrote to the DoJ setting out its concerns regarding the consultation, however, the DoJ did not respond.

Yesterday, BASC initiated legal proceedings against the DoJ, by issuing a Pre-Action Protocol (PAP) letter regarding its public consultation which would have seen the cost of a firearm certificate rise from £98 to £250.  BASC sought both internal and external legal advice before issuing the Pre-Action Protocol letter.

BASC NI director Tommy Mayne said: “It is the right decision for the consultation to be withdrawn. BASC opposes any increase in fees without a full, independent, and transparent review of the necessary processes involved in firearms licensing. Thank you to everyone who took the time to voice their opposition to the ill-advised proposals, including BASC members, MLAs and MPs.

“BASC will continue to robustly challenge any attempt by the government to introduce policies or legislation that is not evidence based.”

BASC is committed to working with the DoJ, the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the NI Assembly Justice Committee, and our partner organisations on the Northern Ireland Firearms Representative Group.