BASC statement on government response to firearms licensing petition

The Government has issued a response to a petition against proposals to merge shotgun and firearms licensing, which was signed by more than 100,000 people.

BASC, commenting on the Government’s response to a petition signed by more than 100,000 people calling for shotguns to remain subject to section 2 licensing rules, said that it demonstrates a misunderstanding of how firearms licensing operates and raises serious concerns that ministers are seeking to reduce the lawful private ownership of firearms.

The Government cites public safety as justification for the consultation, yet the test for public safety is the same for shotgun and rifle certificate holders. 

The Government also cites the tragic mass killing in Keyham as justification, but that occurred because the local police licensing department was a “dangerous shambles” with staff expected to learn on the job. The department couldn’t operate its own risk matrix, issued a certificate to the murderer, revoked it following an assault, and then reissued it after the completion of an online course. None of these failures would have been prevented by changing shotgun licensing rules.

Furthermore, it is bizarre to see the criminal use of knives referenced in the Government’s response to a petition about law-abiding shotgun owners complying with firearms licensing law. It is a worrying reminder of the attitudes that exist in parts of the Home Office towards the farmers, land managers, pest controllers and gamekeepers who rely on shotguns as essential tools of the trade, and the rural jobs and conservation work that depend on them.

If the Government was really serious about public safety, it would be consulting on how to fix a failing and inconsistent police firearms licensing system, rather than imposing new restrictions on responsible people who comply with the law.

BASC is committed to working constructively with government to ensure public safety – it is not in the interests of the shooting community for the wrong people to have guns – but proposals must be evidence-led, proportionate and targeted at genuine risk. We will oppose any change that seeks to solve the wrong problem, harms the rural economy and is not based on evidence. 

We look forward to MPs unpacking these points with the responsible minister in the forthcoming debate.