Reassurances given but work still to do following policing minister meeting

The Home Office minister responsible for firearms licensing last week addressed a meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group on shooting and conservation.

In a packed room in Parliament, representatives from every major political party were present at a meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on shooting and conservation last week to hear what Dame Diana Johnson MP had to say and to question her plans for firearms licensing.

During the meeting, Dame Diana said she understood the need and benefits of firearms and shotgun ownership to the rural economy, farming, sport and local communities.

She said licensing fees were to be kept under constant review and would increase with inflation on a regular basis.

The policing minister said she was unaware of where the idea of banning keeping legally held firearms and shotguns at certificate holders’ homes had come from and did not intend to pursue such a policy.

She said that the government was about to set out its policy on sound moderators shortly. Furthermore, that a consultation would follow regarding moving section 2 firearms to section 1, following evidence and advice from other bodies.

Questions from the group included whether there was an agenda to limit firearms ownership. The Minister stated there was not.

BASC provides the secretariat for the APPG.

Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP, chair of the APPG and BASC vice president, said: “The meeting was a valuable opportunity for the group to speak to the minister about a number of concerns and it is clear that there is still a lot of work to be done. The minister has said she wants to keep the dialogue open with the APPG and we will work to ensure that is the case; we are grateful she came to speak to the group. She also confirmed that contrary to what some believe there is no anti-gun agenda by the Government”

Christopher Graffius, BASC’s executive director of communications and public affairs, said: “We welcomed the minister’s attendance at the APPG meeting and are pleased that the Labour party have no plans to change the home storage of legally-held shotguns and firearms for certificate holders. 

“However, we are expecting the government to consult on a variety of other issues over the coming months and members can be reassured that BASC will be engaging with each one fully. BASC will continue to put pressure on the Home Office to ensure that members are fully represented in all matters relating to firearms.”

Find out more about BASC’s political work here.