Recommendations & Conclusions
102 items
8
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Not Addressed
We have heard concerns about the current UK legislation regarding firearms in the context of Scotland. Firstly, Superintendent Duncan stated that the age of legislation could cause issues. Superintendent Duncan told us that: “legislation is now over 50 years old… there have been amendments to that legislation over that time, …
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We have heard concerns about the current UK legislation regarding firearms in the context of Scotland. Firstly, Superintendent Duncan stated that the age of legislation could cause issues. Superintendent Duncan told us that: “legislation is now over 50 years old… there have been amendments to that legislation over that time, but the existing legislation was an amalgamation of legislation dating even beyond that. I think that, if we were rewriting it from scratch, it would be done in a slightly different way.”24
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Government response AI summary
The UK Government has noted the Committee’s recommendation in relation to advertising avenues to mental health support for the shooting community and also the points made about the particular challenges faced by rural communities traumatised by fatal shootings, recommending that the UK and Scottish Governments …
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Scotland Office
9
Recommendation
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
Secondly, we heard concerns about the language used in the legislation and statutory guidance. Police Scotland told us that subjective language like “intemperate habits” or “unfitted to be entrusted with a firearm” caused potential for different police forces to interpret legislation differently.25
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Secondly, we heard concerns about the language used in the legislation and statutory guidance. Police Scotland told us that subjective language like “intemperate habits” or “unfitted to be entrusted with a firearm” caused potential for different police forces to interpret legislation differently.25
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Government response AI summary
The government is consulting on whether and how a similar form of leaflet on mental health could be made available throughout the United Kingdom and has been in discussion with the Scottish Government and Police Scotland about the work already undertaken in Scotland.
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Scotland Office
10
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
Thirdly, shooting organisations like the British Association for Shooting and Conservation have expressed concerns that “there remain too many loopholes for the forces to choose from”.26 They state that this may cause inconsistencies between police forces dealing with firearms, saying “policy decisions are being made on a force-by-force basis. One …
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Thirdly, shooting organisations like the British Association for Shooting and Conservation have expressed concerns that “there remain too many loopholes for the forces to choose from”.26 They state that this may cause inconsistencies between police forces dealing with firearms, saying “policy decisions are being made on a force-by-force basis. One force might grant a variation for the very same reason another is refused”27. In written evidence, the Gun Control Network told us that loopholes are “constantly being exploited by gun manufacturers and shooting enthusiasts”.28
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Government response AI summary
The government has started a consultation for eight weeks on the recommendations made in the committee's report, the Senior Coroner's report, and the IOPC report.
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Scotland Office
11
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
Finally, we heard from the Gun Control Network that “[t]he primary weakness in the regulatory system is how the licensing process is conducted”.29 The organisation stated that “the following may have contributed”30 to “failures in the process”31: “Inadequate guidance resulting in, for example, failure to require family and household members …
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Finally, we heard from the Gun Control Network that “[t]he primary weakness in the regulatory system is how the licensing process is conducted”.29 The organisation stated that “the following may have contributed”30 to “failures in the process”31: “Inadequate guidance resulting in, for example, failure to require family and household members or GPs to be consulted about any mental health problems or alcohol /drug abuse. A lack of resources resulting, for example, in failure to make home visits, to follow up public and social media concerns or to integrate police data. A cosy relationship between police and shooters resulting in, for example, a disinclination to follow up family or neighbour concerns”.32 22 Gun Control Network (FLR0020); British Association for Shooting and Conservation (FLR0015) 23 Q57 24 Q92 25 Police Scotland (FLR0011) 26 British Association for Shooting and Conservation, Why firearms licensing must be reformed, accessed 13 September 2022 27 British Association for Shooting and Conservation, Why firearms licensing must be reformed, accessed 13 September 2022 28 Gun Control Network (FLR0020) 29 Gun Control Network (FLR0020) 30 Gun Control Network (FLR0020) 31 Gun Control Network (FLR0020) 32 Gun Control Network (FLR0020) 8 Firearms licensing regulations in Scotland Current requirements for firearms licence applications and renewals
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Government response AI summary
The government has started a consultation for eight weeks on the recommendations made in the committee's report, the Senior Coroner's report, and the IOPC report.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
12
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Acknowledged
Each firearms licence application and renewal is processed by the police force in the applicant’s local area.33 Individuals applying for, and renewing, firearms licences must demonstrate that they are not a “danger to public safety or the peace”34, and that “they require their firearm on a regular, legitimate basis for …
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Each firearms licence application and renewal is processed by the police force in the applicant’s local area.33 Individuals applying for, and renewing, firearms licences must demonstrate that they are not a “danger to public safety or the peace”34, and that “they require their firearm on a regular, legitimate basis for work, sport or leisure”.35 Individuals must provide character references from two referees36, who must be “of good character”.37 Checks carried out on individuals include background checks on individuals’ financial data and open social media posts38, and home visits by police to ensure that individuals have appropriate secure storage for firearms.39 Other factors considered by police forces include “a request from a partner or family member that the applicant should not hold a certificate”40 and individuals’ criminal records.41 Individuals who have criminal records can apply for firearms licences. Individuals who have received custodial sentences of between three months and three years when convicted may apply for licences five years after release. Individuals who have received a custodial sentence of three years or more are prohibited for life–but the prohibition may be lifted on application to the Crown Court.42 Scotland’s system for firearms licensing
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Government response AI summary
The UK Government acknowledges the committee's recommendations and mentions they have started a consultation on these along with other reports, indicating that further consultation will occur if new legislation is needed.
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Scotland Office
13
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
It has been said that Scotland’s system for processing firearms licence applications is “among the best in the UK”.43 While police forces in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have experienced delays in granting and renewing firearms licences, this is not the case in Scotland.44 Superintendent Steven Duncan, Head of National …
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It has been said that Scotland’s system for processing firearms licence applications is “among the best in the UK”.43 While police forces in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have experienced delays in granting and renewing firearms licences, this is not the case in Scotland.44 Superintendent Steven Duncan, Head of National Firearms and Explosives Licensing for Police Scotland, told us that this is partly because Police Scotland (which has combined local police forces under one umbrella) can spread cases between different processing centres.45 In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, individual forces of different sizes must carry their own workload, using different approaches.46 This is, in part, because of the automated nature of Scotland’s system. Assistant Chief Constable Alan Spiers, Strategic Firearms Commander for Police Scotland, told us that Police Scotland is “the only force in the UK”47 to introduce an automated system, which reduces the administration time involved in applications and renewals.48 Dr Colin Shedden, Director Scotland for the British Association for Shooting and Conservation, told us that: 33 College of Policing, Firearms licensing, accessed 14 December 2022 34 Home Office, Firearms licensing: statutory guidance for Chief Officers of Police, December 2021, page 14 35 Home Office, Guide on firearms licensing law, December 2021, page 4 36 Home Office, Firearms licensing: statutory guidance for Chief Officers of Police, December 2021, page 6 37 Q193 38 Home Office, Firearms licensing: statutory guidance for Chief Officers of Police, December 2021, page 10 39 Home Office, Firearms licensing: statutory guidance for Chief Officers of Police, December 2021, page 5 40 Home Office, Firearms licensing: statutory guidance for Chief Officers of Police, December 2021, page 12 41 Q65 42 Unlock, Shotgun and firearms licence, accessed 15 September 2022 43 Q155 44 British Association for Shooting and Conservation, Firearms licensing inconsistencies are sym
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Government response AI summary
The government is consulting on the recommendations from the Committee, the Senior Coroner for Plymouth, Torbay and South Devon, and the IOPC, and will bring forward a further consultation on specific Government proposals on legislation if new legislation is deemed necessary.
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Scotland Office
14
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
In Scotland, individuals pay fees of £88 for each new firearms licence application and £62 for each firearms licence renewal.51 Superintendent Steven Duncan, Head of National Firearms and Explosives Licensing for Police Scotland, told us that “fees have not been changed for a number of years”.52 However, Rt Hon. Chris …
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In Scotland, individuals pay fees of £88 for each new firearms licence application and £62 for each firearms licence renewal.51 Superintendent Steven Duncan, Head of National Firearms and Explosives Licensing for Police Scotland, told us that “fees have not been changed for a number of years”.52 However, Rt Hon. Chris Philp MP, Minister for Crime, Policing and Fire for the Home Office, stated that “costs [of processing applications] have gone up”53 since fees were last reviewed. Individuals applying for licences and renewals must also pay for medical assessments.54 The cost of medical assessments can vary considerably between medical practitioners.55
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Government response AI summary
The UK Government will consider fees for firearms licensing further when they consult later this summer, informed by a data collection exercise.
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Scotland Office
15
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
Applicants do not pay for the full cost of their licences. The cost to the police forces processing applications and renewals is higher than the income from licence fees. Some reports state that “the cost of handling a firearms licence application by the licensing departments can differ by up to …
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Applicants do not pay for the full cost of their licences. The cost to the police forces processing applications and renewals is higher than the income from licence fees. Some reports state that “the cost of handling a firearms licence application by the licensing departments can differ by up to six times”56 - ranging from approximately £80 to over £500.57
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Government response AI summary
The government will consider this recommendation further when they consult on new fees for firearms licensing, informed by a data collection exercise to gather up-to-date information on the costs, looking to set fees to enable full-cost recovery for the police.
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Scotland Office
16
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
Assistant Chief Constable Alan Spiers, Strategic Firearms Commander for Police Scotland, told us that the amount generated by the licence fee “goes only a very small way towards supporting some of the costs associated with firearms licensing”.58 Rt Hon. Chris Philp MP of the Home Office told us that “[e]ffectively …
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Assistant Chief Constable Alan Spiers, Strategic Firearms Commander for Police Scotland, told us that the amount generated by the licence fee “goes only a very small way towards supporting some of the costs associated with firearms licensing”.58 Rt Hon. Chris Philp MP of the Home Office told us that “[e]ffectively the police, or the taxpayer more widely, are subsiding the provision of these licences”.59 For this reason, some (like Professor Peter Squires, Professor Emeritus of Criminology and Public Policy at the University of Brighton) have suggested that individuals applying for, and renewing, licences should pay the full cost of processing licences and renewals.60 Professor Squires stated that: “a full-cost licensing system, borne by shooters themselves, would enable police to devote the appropriate resources to firearm licensing and make many of the improvements (proactive and ongoing monitoring, unannounced visits, improved technology, better liaison with health agencies and wider stakeholders) that the licensing system needs”.61 The Minister told us that work is “ongoing”62 at the Home Office to “get the fees into a better place where forces are recovering the cost of running this service”.63 Currently, there is no difference in cost for those who require firearms licences for work (like gamekeepers) and those who require licences in order to shoot for pleasure. 51 Police Scotland, Firearms and shotguns, accessed 13 September 2022 52 Q145 53 Q194 54 “Gun licence delays lead to police visit for farmer”, The Packet, 19 February 2022 55 Sporting Shooter, Guidance on firearms licensing - to pay the GP or not to pay the GP?, accessed 28 November 2022 56 Politics.co.uk, Firearms licensing inconsistencies “are symptomatic of wider police failures”, accessed 13 September 2022 57 Politics.co.uk, Firearms licensing inconsistencies “are symptomatic of wider police failures”, accessed 13 September 2022 58 Q146 59 Q206 60 Professor Peter Squires (FLR0007) 61 Professor Pete
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Government response AI summary
The UK Government will consider fees for firearms licensing further when they consult later this summer, informed by a data collection exercise, with the aim of setting fees to enable full-cost recovery for the police.
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Scotland Office
17
Recommendation
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
Moving to a full-cost system for licence fees would free up some more resources for the police forces to spend elsewhere - including being spent on improvements to the licensing process. Assistant Chief Constable Alan Spiers told us that “there is no doubt going forward that the pressure on Police …
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Moving to a full-cost system for licence fees would free up some more resources for the police forces to spend elsewhere - including being spent on improvements to the licensing process. Assistant Chief Constable Alan Spiers told us that “there is no doubt going forward that the pressure on Police Scotland around resourcing is significant”64 and that individuals covering the full cost of applications and renewals “would go some way to supporting the service that we provide in relation to firearms licences”.65 For example, the country sports community have stated that there have been substantial delays in processing licence applications and renewals.66 Dr Michael North (a founding member of the Gun Control Network whose daughter was killed during the Dunblane Primary School tragedy) told us that “this is largely due to a lack of resources [ … ] because the licence fee does not cover the full cost of what the police have to carry out in order to provide an applicant with a licence”.67 We heard from numerous organisations that appropriate funding is needed, as firearms licences are important to public safety.68
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Government response AI summary
The UK Government will consider the recommendation to move to a full-cost system for license fees further when they consult on new fees for firearms licensing later this summer.
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Scotland Office
18
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
Dr Colin Shedden, Director Scotland of the British Association for Shooting and Conservation, told us that “[t]here is a wide range of people involved in shooting sports, from some who obviously are wealthy and can afford it to those less fortunate, but who can still enjoy the sport”.69 Dr Shedden …
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Dr Colin Shedden, Director Scotland of the British Association for Shooting and Conservation, told us that “[t]here is a wide range of people involved in shooting sports, from some who obviously are wealthy and can afford it to those less fortunate, but who can still enjoy the sport”.69 Dr Shedden stated that he “would be very concerned at pricing ordinary working people and retired people out of their recreational interests”.70 This may especially affect younger people and older people, who may not be able to pay as much - both Dr Shedden and Fraser Lamb, Firearms Licensing Adviser for the Scottish Association for Country Sports, told us that their organisations offer membership discounts for elderly and younger licence holders.71
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Government response AI summary
The UK Government will consider this recommendation further when they consult, later this summer, on new fees for firearms licensing, which will be informed by a data collection exercise.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
19
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
One solution could be a two-tier system of licence fees. This could require those who shoot for leisure to pay the full cost of their firearms licences (with no cost to police forces or the taxpayer), while individuals who shoot for work could have their licences fully or partly funded. …
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One solution could be a two-tier system of licence fees. This could require those who shoot for leisure to pay the full cost of their firearms licences (with no cost to police forces or the taxpayer), while individuals who shoot for work could have their licences fully or partly funded. However, Dr Shedden told us that a two-tier system of fees, differentiating between those who shoot for leisure and for work, would be “fraught with difficulty”.72 Fraser Lamb of the Scottish Association for Country Sports stated that “[a] lot of farmers shoot game recreationally—for want of a better word—so how do you differentiate between the farmer who goes out with his pals and someone who just goes driven shooting, or controls vermin, pest species on behalf of a farmer?”.73
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Government response AI summary
The UK Government will consider fees for firearms licensing further when they consult later this summer, informed by a data collection exercise, with the aim of setting fees to enable full-cost recovery for the police.
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Scotland Office
20
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
The matter of firearms licence fees is reserved, as they are set by the Home Office. However, the Scottish Government contribute to the working group on licence fees.74 Keith Brown MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Justice for the Scottish Government who represents the 64 Q150 65 Q150 66 Fieldsports Channel, Police …
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The matter of firearms licence fees is reserved, as they are set by the Home Office. However, the Scottish Government contribute to the working group on licence fees.74 Keith Brown MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Justice for the Scottish Government who represents the 64 Q150 65 Q150 66 Fieldsports Channel, Police delay firearms licensing as livestock and wildlife suffer, accessed 15 September 2022; Shooting UK, Some police forces begin accepting new certificates again, accessed 15 September; The British Association for Shooting and Conservation, The firearms licensing crisis continues, accessed 13 September 2022 67 Q2; It should be noted that Scotland has seen fewer delays than England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In fact, the Scottish system has been called “amongst the best in the UK” (Q155) and “an exemplar” (Q66) - we were told that, in Scotland, between 99.45% (Police Scotland FLR0011) and 99.53% (Q66) of certificates were being renewed on time. 68 Professor Peter Squires (FLR0020); Q74; Q150 69 Q80 70 Q74 71 Q79 72 Q78 73 Q79 74 Q178 12 Firearms licensing regulations in Scotland Dunblane area of Scotland75, stated that a full-cost system for licence fees “may help to provide further income for the police force, but I would want to make sure that we were not unduly penalising those who rely on these licences for their work”.76 The Cabinet Secretary went on to tell us that he would support “in principle”77 a two-tier system of licence fees.
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Government response AI summary
The UK Government will consider this recommendation further when they consult, later this summer, on new fees for firearms licensing, which will be informed by a data collection exercise.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
21
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
Rt Hon. Chris Philp MP told us that he endorsed the full-cost system of licence fees - saying that “It is not really fair that the taxpayer generally or police forces subsidise a relatively small group of people” so “the funding of this service… should ultimately fall on the applicant”.78 …
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Rt Hon. Chris Philp MP told us that he endorsed the full-cost system of licence fees - saying that “It is not really fair that the taxpayer generally or police forces subsidise a relatively small group of people” so “the funding of this service… should ultimately fall on the applicant”.78 The Minister stated that, as the Home Office “want to make sure that the police are recovering their costs… [,] specific work is going on to review fees [and t]hat is a piece of work that is actively happening at the moment”79. We are pleased to hear that the UK Government is looking into this issue.
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Government response AI summary
The UK Government will consider this issue further when they consult on new fees for firearms licensing later this summer.
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Scotland Office
22
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
The Minister also told us that a review of the statutory guidance for police forces on firearms licensing is being conducted, one year after its introduction. As part of this review, licence fees are being considered. He told us that “[t]he review is being conducted broadly with that thought in …
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The Minister also told us that a review of the statutory guidance for police forces on firearms licensing is being conducted, one year after its introduction. As part of this review, licence fees are being considered. He told us that “[t]he review is being conducted broadly with that thought in mind” that “it is reasonable that [licensing] is paid for by the people needing and benefiting from the licence rather than from the general taxpayer and the public as a whole”.80
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Government response AI summary
The UK Government will consider the recommendation regarding licence fees further when they consult on new fees for firearms licensing later this summer.
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Scotland Office
23
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
Police forces’ resources are stretched, so it seems unsatisfactory that they bear most of the cost of processing applications for firearms licences. It would seem desirable to move towards a situation where those people seeking a licence pay a fee to cover the cost of the process that it involves.
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Police forces’ resources are stretched, so it seems unsatisfactory that they bear most of the cost of processing applications for firearms licences. It would seem desirable to move towards a situation where those people seeking a licence pay a fee to cover the cost of the process that it involves.
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Government response AI summary
The government will consider the recommendation further when they consult on new fees for firearms licensing, informed by a data collection exercise to gather up-to-date information on costs, looking to set fees to enable full-cost recovery for the police.
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Scotland Office
24
Recommendation
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
We recommend that the UK Government put in place a two-tier system of firearms licence costs. This system ought to require individuals who use firearms for leisure to pay the full cost of their licence applications, with no immediate financial cost to police forces or the taxpayer. The second tier …
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We recommend that the UK Government put in place a two-tier system of firearms licence costs. This system ought to require individuals who use firearms for leisure to pay the full cost of their licence applications, with no immediate financial cost to police forces or the taxpayer. The second tier would apply to those who use firearms for work purposes. To facilitate this, the UK Government ought to produce a list of work purposes for firearms which would entitle licence applicants to pay the second tier rate. We understand that there is a view that all firearm holders should consistently cover the cost of their own applications. However, we would err on the side of caution, and encourage a UK Government review to consider the implications that those costs might impose on those who rely on firearms for work (as well as a clear definition of ‘work’ for the purpose of clarity). Following a thorough consultation with affected parties, the UK Government would be in a better position to take a decision on whether individuals who use firearms for work could have their licences partly funded. 75 Q156 76 Q178 77 Q180 78 Q206 79 Q194 80 Q228 Firearms licensing regulations in Scotland 13 3 Raising concerns The referee system
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Government response AI summary
The UK Government will consider the recommendation for a two-tier system of firearms licence costs further when they consult on new fees for firearms licensing later this summer.
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Scotland Office
25
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
Amongst other requirements as part of the licensing process, applicants must give the police character references from two referees who must have known them for at least two years81 and be “of good character”.82 Police will contact at least one referee - whether by telephone, e-mail or home visit.83 Licence …
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Amongst other requirements as part of the licensing process, applicants must give the police character references from two referees who must have known them for at least two years81 and be “of good character”.82 Police will contact at least one referee - whether by telephone, e-mail or home visit.83 Licence holders may change their referees between their original application and renewal. We have heard about several issues with the referee system, as it stands, which have been raised in written and oral evidence.
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Government response AI summary
The government is consulting on possible changes to the role and participation of referees in the firearms licensing process, as similar issues were raised by the IOPC and in Prevention of Future Deaths reports.
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Scotland Office
26
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
By requiring applicants to provide proof that they are considered “fit to be entrusted with a firearm”84, the referee system currently in place was installed with the aim of protecting public safety and the peace. This is the principal consideration in firearms licensing regulations.85 We heard that police forces will …
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By requiring applicants to provide proof that they are considered “fit to be entrusted with a firearm”84, the referee system currently in place was installed with the aim of protecting public safety and the peace. This is the principal consideration in firearms licensing regulations.85 We heard that police forces will investigate when licence holders change referees between their original application and renewal. Dr Colin Shedden, Director Scotland for the British Association for Shooting and Conservation, stated that police “ask existing referees is there any reason why they have not acted as a referee this time” as this could indicate “serious issues”.86 Superintendent Steven Duncan, Head of National Firearms and Explosives Licensing for Police Scotland, told us that it is important to check the reason for which applicants have changed referees - police “are mindful that when a referee change is made, that does prompt questioning about why that might be the case … . we may still go back to speak to one of the original referees to see whether there has been some sort of change in the dynamic or relationship, and to try to understand why that may be the case”.87
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Government response AI summary
The government is consulting on possible changes to the role and participation of referees in the firearms licensing process, as similar issues were raised by the IOPC and in Prevention of Future Deaths reports.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
27
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
During this inquiry, we heard about several problematic issues with the referee system. Firstly, Reverend Gordon Matheson (pastor of the Free Church of Scotland at Sleat and Strath on the Isle of Skye) told us that “canvassing for favourable character references is one of the things people found very difficult”.88 …
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During this inquiry, we heard about several problematic issues with the referee system. Firstly, Reverend Gordon Matheson (pastor of the Free Church of Scotland at Sleat and Strath on the Isle of Skye) told us that “canvassing for favourable character references is one of the things people found very difficult”.88 Reverend Matheson noted his concern that “you can trawl around as long as you like until you find a couple of people willing to give you a reference”.89 Moreover, Fraser Lamb, Firearms Licensing Adviser for the Scottish Association for Country Sports (who was formerly the Head of Firearms Licensing for Police Scotland) told us that he sees “no benefit to having a referee”90, saying “[y]ou are going to ask your pals who are going to give it to you. You are not going to ask someone who is not going to give you a reference. In the four years that I was a firearms licenser, there was only one occasion when the referee raised a concern”.91
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Government response AI summary
The government is consulting on possible changes to the role and participation of referees in the firearms licensing process, as similar issues were raised by the IOPC and in Prevention of Future Deaths reports.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
28
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
We also heard concerns about applicants putting pressure on people to provide references. Reverend Gordon Matheson told us that people in more remote and rural 81 Home Office, Firearms licensing: statutory guidance for Chief Officers of Police, December 2021, page 6 82 Q193 83 Home Office, Firearms licensing: statutory guidance …
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We also heard concerns about applicants putting pressure on people to provide references. Reverend Gordon Matheson told us that people in more remote and rural 81 Home Office, Firearms licensing: statutory guidance for Chief Officers of Police, December 2021, page 6 82 Q193 83 Home Office, Firearms licensing: statutory guidance for Chief Officers of Police, December 2021, page 6 84 Home Office, Firearms licensing: statutory guidance for Chief Officers of Police, December 2021, page 22 85 Home Office, Statutory guidance for Chief Officers of Police on firearms licensing, accessed 27 October 86 Q88 87 Q128 88 Q33 89 Q33 90 Q84 91 Q84 14 Firearms licensing regulations in Scotland areas may feel peer pressure to give positive references, if asked.92 He told us that, in smaller communities, “[t]he sense that you are helping out somebody I think does create an awful lot of pressure to give a favourable reference when you may have reservations”.93
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Government response AI summary
The government is consulting on possible changes to the role and participation of referees in the firearms licensing process, noting similar issues were raised by the IOPC and in reports issued by the Senior Coroner.
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Scotland Office
29
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Accepted in Part
We have heard suggestions that the referee system could be made more robust, if certain people close to applicants could provide information about their suitability to own firearms. For example, in Canada, firearms licence applicants must provide details of their conjugal partners, over a period of two years, and they …
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We have heard suggestions that the referee system could be made more robust, if certain people close to applicants could provide information about their suitability to own firearms. For example, in Canada, firearms licence applicants must provide details of their conjugal partners, over a period of two years, and they are required to countersign the application forms. If this does not happen, the Chief Firearms Officer will tell applicants’ conjugal partners about the application.94 In the UK, statutory guidance only suggests that “a request from a partner or family member that the applicant should not hold a certificate should be taken into account”.95 However, this may not be an appropriate solution to the issue. As with canvassing for references, Assistant Chief Constable Alan Spiers, Strategic Firearms Commander for Police Scotland, stated that “[y]ou could have matters of coercion around domestic violence”96 if the UK were to introduce this step into the licensing process.97
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Government response AI summary
The government is seeking views on interviewing partners and household members with a record of violence and will look again at making the advice on domestic abuse clearer and emphasise the need to interview partners, relatives, and possibly former partners, if there are allegations of …
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Scotland Office
30
Recommendation
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
Keith Brown MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Justice for the Scottish Government, stated that “[t]he issue of [ … ..] shopping for referees is an important one”.98 To combat this issue, the Cabinet Secretary suggested that “one way you could go is a statutory duty to report if somebody asked you …
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Keith Brown MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Justice for the Scottish Government, stated that “[t]he issue of [ … ..] shopping for referees is an important one”.98 To combat this issue, the Cabinet Secretary suggested that “one way you could go is a statutory duty to report if somebody asked you for a reference that you didn’t want to give”.99 However, the Cabinet Secretary warned against a Canadian-style system of firearms licensing, in which conjugal partners are required to countersign licence applications, stating that “[a] partner who has been subject to domestic abuse, for example, could be intimidated into providing a good reference, to allow somebody to get a licence”.100
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Government response AI summary
The government is seeking views in a consultation paper regarding interviewing partners and household members of those certificate holders or applicants with a record of violence and will look again at making the advice on domestic abuse clearer.
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Scotland Office
31
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Acknowledged
The Minister for Crime, Policing and Fire for the Home Office, Rt Hon. Chris Philp MP, suggested to us that the referee system could be improved by requiring referees to be drawn from a list of recognised professions.101 This would bring firearms licence applications into line with similar processes, like …
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The Minister for Crime, Policing and Fire for the Home Office, Rt Hon. Chris Philp MP, suggested to us that the referee system could be improved by requiring referees to be drawn from a list of recognised professions.101 This would bring firearms licence applications into line with similar processes, like passport applications.102 However, the Minister warned that “we need to make sure that we do not impose onerous burdens on people wanting to apply”.103
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the concerns raised and notes that similar issues were raised by the IOPC and the Senior Coroner for Plymouth, Torbay and South Devon and states it is now consulting on possible changes to the role and participation of referees.
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Scotland Office
32
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
The referee system has merit in protecting public safety and the peace; but we have significant concerns about the referee system for the firearms licensing process, which must be addressed before it is fit for purpose. These include concerns about applicants 92 Q34 93 Q34 94 Royal Canadian Mounted Police, …
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The referee system has merit in protecting public safety and the peace; but we have significant concerns about the referee system for the firearms licensing process, which must be addressed before it is fit for purpose. These include concerns about applicants 92 Q34 93 Q34 94 Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Licence renewal for individuals, accessed 27 October 2022 95 Home Office, Firearms licensing: statutory guidance for Chief Officers of Police, December 2021, page 12 96 Q126 97 The Home Office’s statutory guidance for Chief Officers of Police on firearms licensing strongly emphasises the need to ensure that perpetrators of domestic abuse are not granted firearms licences. The statutory guidance states that “evidence of domestic abuse is one of the most serious factors that should be taken into consideration in assessing an application” (page 11, section 2.46). 98 Q188 99 Q188 100 Q187 101 Q193 102 Q193; A list of recognised professions accepted for countersignatories of passport applications can be found on GOV.UK, Countersigning passport applications and photos, accessed 28 November 2022 103 Q193 Firearms licensing regulations in Scotland 15 canvassing for referees, and lack of mandatory consultation with people close to firearms licence applicants. We heard from a former Head of Firearms Licensing for Police Scotland that he “saw no practical merit in having referees”.104
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Government response AI summary
The government is consulting on possible changes to the role and participation of referees in the firearms licensing process.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
33
Recommendation
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Acknowledged
We recommend that the UK Government conduct a review of the referee system, to determine whether it is fit for purpose. This review ought to address the issue of individuals canvassing for positive references, or putting pressure on people to give positive references (for example, by engaging in the peer …
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We recommend that the UK Government conduct a review of the referee system, to determine whether it is fit for purpose. This review ought to address the issue of individuals canvassing for positive references, or putting pressure on people to give positive references (for example, by engaging in the peer pressuring behaviours which may be experienced in smaller communities, or coercion as a feature of domestic violence). This review should also address the options open to police when individuals change referees between application and renewal, and between subsequent renewals. While policy relating to the police is generally a devolved matter, the UK Government ought to be looking to share best practice with the Scottish Government and Police Scotland.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges that similar issues regarding the review of referees in the firearms licensing process were raised by the IOPC and in the Prevention of Future Deaths reports, and is consulting on possible changes to the role and participation of referees.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
34
Recommendation
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Accepted in Part
There is potential for conjugal partners to play a vital role in assessing individuals’ suitability to own firearms. In Canada’s firearms licensing system, conjugal partners play a key role in assessing whether applicants are fit to be entrusted with firearm - either by countersigning applications or (if this does not …
Read more
There is potential for conjugal partners to play a vital role in assessing individuals’ suitability to own firearms. In Canada’s firearms licensing system, conjugal partners play a key role in assessing whether applicants are fit to be entrusted with firearm - either by countersigning applications or (if this does not happen) discussing the application with police. Following Canada’s example by involving conjugal partners more closely in the UK’s firearms licensing process could help to ensure that only people who meet the statutory guidance’s suitability requirements105 are granted firearms licences.
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Government response AI summary
The government is seeking views on interviewing partners/household members with a record/allegations of violence, will look again at advice on domestic abuse, and intends to publish a further version of the Statutory Guidance by the end of 2023.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
35
Recommendation
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Accepted in Part
We recommend that the UK Government change the statutory guidance on firearms licensing to more strongly recommend that police forces involve present and former conjugal partners in the application and renewal process. Echoing the system used in Canada, this could involve police interviewing individual’s present and former conjugal partners as …
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We recommend that the UK Government change the statutory guidance on firearms licensing to more strongly recommend that police forces involve present and former conjugal partners in the application and renewal process. Echoing the system used in Canada, this could involve police interviewing individual’s present and former conjugal partners as a routine part of firearms licence applications and renewals, to confirm that the individual is suitable to own firearms. While this option may be a helpful addition to the firearms licensing process, it is not without risk. We heard that pressure to provide a partner with a positive reference might aggravate domestic violence. It would also place an additional burden on police resources. We urge the UK Government to consider those risks and to put in place safeguards where appropriate. Contacting the police using a dedicated hotline
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Government response AI summary
The government will seek views in a consultation paper on interviewing partners and household members with a record or allegations of violence, and will look at clarifying advice on domestic abuse, with the intention to publish a further version of the Statutory Guidance by the …
Read full response →
Scotland Office
36
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
As the Scottish Government told us: “The purpose of firearms licensing regulation is to protect public safety”.106 It is important for public safety that people can raise concerns about individuals who own, or are applying to own, firearms - for example, to express concerns about someone’s mental health.107 It is …
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As the Scottish Government told us: “The purpose of firearms licensing regulation is to protect public safety”.106 It is important for public safety that people can raise concerns about individuals who own, or are applying to own, firearms - for example, to express concerns about someone’s mental health.107 It is also important that people can raise these concerns anonymously. We have heard that it is “a fact that neighbours may be reluctant to notify the authorities about any suspicions that a license holder or otherwise might not now be suitable to possess weapons” as there is “a danger that reporting concerns might cause a backlash”.108 104 Q84 105 The Home Office’s statutory guidance on firearms licensing for Chief Officers of Police (published on 1 November 2021) sets out suitability requirements in Chapter 3. 106 Scottish Government (FLR0019) 107 Q22 108 Robert David Ware (FLR0017) 16 Firearms licensing regulations in Scotland
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Government response AI summary
The government is seeking views on creating a new reporting service in an accompanying consultation paper, including whether a specific phoneline should be introduced and how it might be funded.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
37
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
Currently, there are several ways in which people can report concerns to the police. One way is to call the 101 service for non-emergency incidents. Fraser Lamb, Firearms Licensing Adviser for the Scottish Association for Country Sports, told us that police will ask firearms licence applicants’ referees: “‘Would you know …
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Currently, there are several ways in which people can report concerns to the police. One way is to call the 101 service for non-emergency incidents. Fraser Lamb, Firearms Licensing Adviser for the Scottish Association for Country Sports, told us that police will ask firearms licence applicants’ referees: “‘Would you know who to phone if you had concerns about the person?’ … trying to elicit the answer ‘Dial 101’”.109 An alternative, which Superintendent Steven Duncan, Head of National Firearms and Explosives Licensing for Police Scotland, told us is for people to contact the police using an online portal.110 A third way is to call the charity, Crimestoppers - Superintendent Duncan noted that one advantage of Crimestoppers is that people “can raise information or intelligence anonymously”.111
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Government response AI summary
The government has noted the recommendation about creating a new reporting service and are seeking views on this in the accompanying consultation paper.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
38
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
We have, however, also heard calls for a dedicated hotline to augment these existing ways to contact the police, which people could use to report concerns about firearms owners anonymously. Dr Michael North, a founding member of the Gun Control Network, stated that “it is sometimes very difficult”112 to contact …
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We have, however, also heard calls for a dedicated hotline to augment these existing ways to contact the police, which people could use to report concerns about firearms owners anonymously. Dr Michael North, a founding member of the Gun Control Network, stated that “it is sometimes very difficult”112 to contact the police using existing helplines. For this reason, Dr North told us that the Gun Control Network has advocated for “a separate hotline for concerns about a gun owner”.113 Assistant Chief Constable Alan Spiers, Strategic Firearms Commander for Police Scotland, corroborated this, saying that “there are challenges and strains put on that system [the 101 service]”114, so “Police Scotland would be open to” a hotline which would “enhance firearms licence reporting”.115
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Government response AI summary
The government has noted the recommendation about creating a new reporting service and are seeking views on this in the accompanying consultation paper.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
39
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
Several witnesses have told us that establishing a new hotline may not be necessary, as there are other existing ways to raise concerns. For example, Assistant Chief Constable Spiers told us that already “there are a range of ways in which we encourage family, friends and clubs to make contact …
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Several witnesses have told us that establishing a new hotline may not be necessary, as there are other existing ways to raise concerns. For example, Assistant Chief Constable Spiers told us that already “there are a range of ways in which we encourage family, friends and clubs to make contact with us [the police]”.116 As noted by Keith Brown MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Justice for the Scottish Government, these ways include “on the ground, if local community police officers are around, but also online … Above that, people know the contact number for the police in Scotland [101]”.117 Therefore, Superintendent Duncan stated, while there is “definite merit in trying to encourage reporting… There are probably other opportunities, such as advertising how you make direct contact with the police”118 using existing helplines.
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Government response AI summary
The government is seeking views on creating a new reporting service, including whether a specific phoneline should be introduced, how this might be funded, or whether existing services offer a better way to achieve the purpose, via a consultation paper.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
40
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
We have heard that there may be challenges involved with establishing and advertising a new hotline. One challenge may be resourcing. Assistant Chief Constable Spiers told us that there are “a number of challenges that Police Scotland would face depending on the future funding of Police Scotland”119, which may make …
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We have heard that there may be challenges involved with establishing and advertising a new hotline. One challenge may be resourcing. Assistant Chief Constable Spiers told us that there are “a number of challenges that Police Scotland would face depending on the future funding of Police Scotland”119, which may make it difficult to fund another service. Another challenge may be difficulty embedding a new hotline into public consciousness. 109 Q85 110 Q140; Police Scotland’s online portal for reporting crime can be found here: https://www.scotland.police.uk/ secureforms/c3/ 111 Q140 112 Q15 113 Q15 114 Q142 115 Q144 116 Q125 117 Q186 118 Q124 119 Q142 Firearms licensing regulations in Scotland 17 The Cabinet Secretary stated that helplines like the 999 and 101 services already “are well known”120 so, to make a new hotline effective, “you would have to advertise it strongly to ensure that people are aware of it and that it gets into people’s consciousness”.121
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Government response AI summary
The government has noted the recommendation about creating a new reporting service and are seeking views on this in the accompanying consultation paper.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
41
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
However, the Cabinet Secretary further told us that - while “We should always keep an open mind on these things” - “I am not sure that a hotline would add a great deal”.122 The Cabinet Secretary stated that there are “ways in which people can already get in touch with …
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However, the Cabinet Secretary further told us that - while “We should always keep an open mind on these things” - “I am not sure that a hotline would add a great deal”.122 The Cabinet Secretary stated that there are “ways in which people can already get in touch with the police, which is a straightforward thing to do”123 so “there may be a case for just generally ensuring that people are aware that they can contact the police if they have to, rather than creating a specific hotline”.124
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Government response AI summary
The government is seeking views on creating a new reporting service in an accompanying consultation paper, including whether a specific phoneline should be introduced and how it might be funded.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
42
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
We heard that, previously, the Home Office have participated in discussions about establishing a hotline. Dr Michael North told us that the Gun Control Network “have talked to the Home Office about it and it looked as though there may have been money set aside for it… but it never …
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We heard that, previously, the Home Office have participated in discussions about establishing a hotline. Dr Michael North told us that the Gun Control Network “have talked to the Home Office about it and it looked as though there may have been money set aside for it… but it never happened”.125 In oral evidence, Rt Hon. Chris Philp MP of the Home Office stated that the “benefit [of a dedicated hotline] is a public-badged place to go”.126 However, the Minister warned that a new hotline not only “would somewhat duplicate existing channels” which people can use to express concerns to police127, but also would involve “additional cost”.128
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Government response AI summary
The government is seeking views on creating a new reporting service, including whether a specific phoneline should be introduced, how this might be funded, or whether existing services offer a better way to achieve the purpose, via a consultation paper.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
43
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
A single, dedicated channel for reporting concerns about people who own, or are applying to own, firearms could make that process simpler and easier. However, a dedicated hotline may be too difficult to resource and we are very much aware of the challenges around advertising such a new hotline, such …
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A single, dedicated channel for reporting concerns about people who own, or are applying to own, firearms could make that process simpler and easier. However, a dedicated hotline may be too difficult to resource and we are very much aware of the challenges around advertising such a new hotline, such as resourcing that advertisement and endeavouring to embed any new channel in the public consciousness.
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Government response AI summary
The government has noted the recommendation about creating a new reporting service and are seeking views on this in the accompanying consultation paper.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
44
Recommendation
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
We therefore recommend that the UK Government conduct a review investigating the merits of creating a new service within the 101 service, which could direct callers towards call-handlers with firearms expertise (in the same way as the lifeboat and mountain rescue services are reached via the 999 emergency control centre). …
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We therefore recommend that the UK Government conduct a review investigating the merits of creating a new service within the 101 service, which could direct callers towards call-handlers with firearms expertise (in the same way as the lifeboat and mountain rescue services are reached via the 999 emergency control centre). This would allow people close to a firearms licence applicant to raise concerns about their suitability to be granted or to renew firearms licences – for example, if there were concerns about the individual’s mental health.
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Government response AI summary
The government is seeking views on creating a new reporting service, including whether a specific phoneline should be introduced, how this might be funded, or whether existing services offer a better way to achieve the purpose, via a consultation paper.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
45
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Acknowledged
The review also could investigate alternatives to a hotline, such as means by which to better advertise existing methods of raising concerns (like the 101 and 999 services). This could include specifying gun-related concerns on the online reporting form for Police Scotland. We are aware that this specific matter is …
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The review also could investigate alternatives to a hotline, such as means by which to better advertise existing methods of raising concerns (like the 101 and 999 services). This could include specifying gun-related concerns on the online reporting form for Police Scotland. We are aware that this specific matter is devolved, although we think there would be great benefit in the UK Government and Scottish Government collaborating on this matter in order to share best practice.
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Government response AI summary
The government has noted the Committee’s recommendation around creating a new reporting service and is seeking views on this in the accompanying consultation paper.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
46
Recommendation
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
Any such review ought to include a survey of the public, to ascertain the public’s general understanding of how to use existing methods to raise concerns to the police. 120 Q186 121 Q185 122 Q185-Q186 123 Q185 124 Q185 125 Q23 126 Q215 127 Q215 128 Q215 18 Firearms licensing …
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Any such review ought to include a survey of the public, to ascertain the public’s general understanding of how to use existing methods to raise concerns to the police. 120 Q186 121 Q185 122 Q185-Q186 123 Q185 124 Q185 125 Q23 126 Q215 127 Q215 128 Q215 18 Firearms licensing regulations in Scotland With access to this data, Governments would be able to make informed, evidence-based decisions about how best to provide reporting services for firearms. We recommend that the UK Government consider advertising current methods of reporting more widely, so that people are more aware of the various existing ways in which they can raise concerns. Unique reference numbers
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Government response AI summary
The government is seeking views on creating a new reporting service, including whether a specific phoneline should be introduced, how this might be funded, or whether existing services offer a better way to achieve the purpose, via a consultation paper.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
47
Recommendation
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
We heard (for example, from Reverend Gordon Matheson) that people close to an individual may not know that they own, or are applying to own, firearms.129 This lack of knowledge may prevent family and friends from reporting concerns about an individual who is not best placed to own firearms (for …
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We heard (for example, from Reverend Gordon Matheson) that people close to an individual may not know that they own, or are applying to own, firearms.129 This lack of knowledge may prevent family and friends from reporting concerns about an individual who is not best placed to own firearms (for example, because of poor mental health).
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Government response AI summary
The government is seeking views in a consultation paper regarding interviewing partners and household members of certificate holders or applicants with a record of violence and will look again at making the advice on domestic abuse clearer.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
48
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
It has been suggested that these issues could be addressed by assigning unique reference numbers to firearms licence applications and renewal applications. Police forces in the UK already give application numbers to applicants and certificate numbers to people who have been granted firearms licences130, and personal identification numbers and application …
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It has been suggested that these issues could be addressed by assigning unique reference numbers to firearms licence applications and renewal applications. Police forces in the UK already give application numbers to applicants and certificate numbers to people who have been granted firearms licences130, and personal identification numbers and application reference numbers are used already by the Police Service of Northern Ireland, as part of Northern Ireland’s firearms licensing process.131 Assigning unique reference numbers in this way means that firearms licence applicants in the UK could share their unique application number with people whom they approach to be referees.
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Government response AI summary
The government is consulting on possible changes to the role and participation of referees in the firearms licensing process, as similar issues were raised by the IOPC and the Senior Coroner for Plymouth, Torbay and South Devon.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
49
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Acknowledged
Using application reference numbers in this way could allow police and individuals to communicate effectively, when individuals contact the police to express concern about those who own firearms, or are applying for firearms licences. This could also help to simplify internal communications for police.
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Using application reference numbers in this way could allow police and individuals to communicate effectively, when individuals contact the police to express concern about those who own firearms, or are applying for firearms licences. This could also help to simplify internal communications for police.
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Government response AI summary
The government noted that similar issues were raised by both the IOPC and in the Prevention of Future Deaths reports and are consulting on possible changes to the role and participation of referees in the firearms licensing process.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
50
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
So that concerns can be raised at the earliest opportunity, Reverend Gordon Matheson suggested that people seeking a reference should need to provide potential referees with their unique application reference number.132 This would mean that, if someone has concerns about an application which is in the process of being made, …
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So that concerns can be raised at the earliest opportunity, Reverend Gordon Matheson suggested that people seeking a reference should need to provide potential referees with their unique application reference number.132 This would mean that, if someone has concerns about an application which is in the process of being made, “their concerns can be relayed in connection to the reference for the application that is being made”.133 Having a unique reference number related to a specific application could be useful at any stage of the licensing process - whether someone has concerns on being asked for a reference, or whether they develop concerns after a firearms licence has been granted.
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Government response AI summary
The government is consulting on possible changes to the role and participation of referees in the firearms licensing process, as similar issues were raised by the IOPC and the Senior Coroner for Plymouth, Torbay and South Devon.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
51
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
We heard from several witnesses that it is important that reference numbers would not be related to an openly available register of firearms. Reverend Gordon Matheson stated that “for good reasons… you don’t want public awareness of who everyone with a firearm is”.134 Similarly, Dr Colin Shedden, Director Scotland for …
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We heard from several witnesses that it is important that reference numbers would not be related to an openly available register of firearms. Reverend Gordon Matheson stated that “for good reasons… you don’t want public awareness of who everyone with a firearm is”.134 Similarly, Dr Colin Shedden, Director Scotland for the British Association of Shooting and Conservation, told us that “our members would be slightly concerned if their names were to be put on a public register”135 as “from a public safety perspective, it is better that people do not know that guns are stored in private houses”.136 129 Q33 130 GOV.UK, Firearms licensing supporting documents, accessed 9 December 2022; Home Office, Guide on firearms licensing law, November 2022, page 80 131 Police Service of Northern Ireland, Request a firearms licence, accessed 7 December 2022 132 Q33 133 Q33 134 Q42 135 Q76 136 Q76 Firearms licensing regulations in Scotland 19
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Government response AI summary
The response redirects the focus to the review of referees in the firearms licensing process, noting similar issues raised by the IOPC and the Senior Coroner for Plymouth, Torbay and South Devon and stating that they are consulting on possible changes.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
52
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
It would be valuable to have a single, simple means by which to identify people applying for a firearms licence about whom concerns have been raised, to assist police when investigating these concerns.
Government response AI summary
The government is seeking views on creating a new reporting service in an accompanying consultation paper, including whether a specific phoneline should be introduced and how it might be funded.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
53
Recommendation
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
We recommend that, when approaching potential referees, applicants would be required by police to share their unique application reference numbers with those referees. This would make it simpler to report concerns about applicants to the police. Such a system would be valuable both for those who decline to give references, …
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We recommend that, when approaching potential referees, applicants would be required by police to share their unique application reference numbers with those referees. This would make it simpler to report concerns about applicants to the police. Such a system would be valuable both for those who decline to give references, and for those who give references but subsequently become concerned that applicants might no longer meet the statutory guidance’s suitability requirements.137 We recommend that the UK Government raise this recommendation with the Scottish Government, during their review of statutory guidance and best practice. Length of time between renewals
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Government response AI summary
The government is consulting on possible changes to the role and participation of referees in the firearms licensing process, as similar issues were raised by the IOPC and the Senior Coroner for Plymouth, Torbay and South Devon.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
54
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Acknowledged
Firearms licences are valid for five years.138 Before their licences lapse, individuals must apply to their local police force for renewal. At that point, police review individuals’ suitability to own firearms by carrying out much the same process as for licence applications. The renewal process, however, differs slightly from the …
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Firearms licences are valid for five years.138 Before their licences lapse, individuals must apply to their local police force for renewal. At that point, police review individuals’ suitability to own firearms by carrying out much the same process as for licence applications. The renewal process, however, differs slightly from the process for first-time applications. For example, police forces may determine whether it is necessary to conduct additional background checks if (for example) individuals have held firearms licences for longer than ten years, or necessary to contact individuals’ referees.139 Similarly, during the COVID-19 pandemic, some risk assessments for renewals were conducted “over the telephone, videocall or by email”140 rather than on home visits as with first-time applications - a change to practice which has been retained post-pandemic.141
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Government response AI summary
The government has noted the recommendation that the current renewal period of five years remain in place but that it should be kept under review and is seeking views on this issue in the consultation paper.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
55
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Acknowledged
Various parties have suggested changes to the period between an initial firearms licence application and its renewal.142 Some of our witnesses (like the Gun Control Network143) told us that the renewal period should be shorter, while others (like the British Association for Shooting and Conservation144) told us that the renewal …
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Various parties have suggested changes to the period between an initial firearms licence application and its renewal.142 Some of our witnesses (like the Gun Control Network143) told us that the renewal period should be shorter, while others (like the British Association for Shooting and Conservation144) told us that the renewal period should be longer.
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Government response AI summary
The government has noted the recommendation regarding the renewal period and are seeking views on this issue in the consultation paper.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
56
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
We heard in evidence about some of the potential benefits of shortening the length of time before a renewal was required. Dr Michael North (a founding member of the Gun Control Network) told us that the Gun Control Network “would certainly argue in favour of a shorter period… [because] some …
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We heard in evidence about some of the potential benefits of shortening the length of time before a renewal was required. Dr Michael North (a founding member of the Gun Control Network) told us that the Gun Control Network “would certainly argue in favour of a shorter period… [because] some of the personal circumstances of gun owners are likely to change, in some cases quite significantly, over a period of five years—relationship 137 The Home Office’s statutory guidance on firearms licensing for Chief Officers of Police (published on 1 November 2021) sets out suitability requirements in Chapter 3. 138 Metropolitan Police, Firearms licensing fees, accessed 14 September 139 Home Office, Firearms licensing: statutory guidance for Chief Officers of Police, December 2021, page 13 and page 6 140 Home Office, Firearms licensing: statutory guidance for Chief Officers of Police, December 2021, page 5 141 Q71 142 These include the Gun Control Network (The National, Dunblane victim’s dad calls for stricter gun laws after Skye shooting, accessed 13 September 2022) and the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (Shooting UK, BASC: the case for ten year shotgun and firearms certificates, accessed 15 September 2022). 143 Gun Control Network (FLR0020) 144 British Association for Shooting and Conservation (FLR0015) 20 Firearms licensing regulations in Scotland changes; problems with drug and alcohol abuse”.145 The Gun Control Network has called for licences to be renewed every two to three years, echoing Belgium’s and Brazil’s firearms licensing process.146
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Government response AI summary
The government has noted the committee's recommendation to keep the five-year renewal period under review and is seeking views on this issue in the consultation paper.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
57
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Acknowledged
Various commentators have pointed out the disadvantages of shortening the renewal period. The Home Affairs Committee concluded in its 2010 report, Firearms control, that it had not “seen any evidence to suggest that there has been an increase in misuse of lethal firearms since the period was increased from three …
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Various commentators have pointed out the disadvantages of shortening the renewal period. The Home Affairs Committee concluded in its 2010 report, Firearms control, that it had not “seen any evidence to suggest that there has been an increase in misuse of lethal firearms since the period was increased from three years in 1995”147, and concluded that “We are not convinced by arguments put forward in favour of decreasing the licence renewal period from five to two years”.148 The Committee further concluded that “decreasing the licence renewal period… would place considerable pressure on police resources”.149 Some witnesses to our inquiry came to similar conclusions. Superintendent Steven Duncan, Head of National Firearms and Explosives Licensing for Police Scotland, estimated that shortening the renewal period would “double the demand placed on the firearms licensing system”150, while the British Association for Shooting and Conservation stated that “[r]educing the term of certificates to 2 or 3 years would place an additional and unnecessary burden on the police”.151
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Government response AI summary
The government has noted the Committee’s recommendation that the current renewal period of five years remain in place but that it should be kept under review and is seeking views on this issue in the consultation paper.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
58
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Acknowledged
However, we heard from Dr Colin Shedden, Director Scotland for the British Association of Shooting and Conservation, that shooting organisations have “an expectation that we could move to 10 years”152 between an original licence application and its renewal. Dr Shedden questioned “why waste more police time at these renewals, when …
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However, we heard from Dr Colin Shedden, Director Scotland for the British Association of Shooting and Conservation, that shooting organisations have “an expectation that we could move to 10 years”152 between an original licence application and its renewal. Dr Shedden questioned “why waste more police time at these renewals, when we can extend it to 10 years, knowing that we have the comfort that there is almost 24-hour surveillance of certificate holders anyway?”, stating that “if you get involved in a speeding offence, it will be reported to firearms licensing very quickly”.153 Superintendent Duncan corroborated this, telling us that there are “ongoing checks that take place in the background throughout the five-year period”154 of a firearms licence. However, Professor Peter Squires, Professor Emeritus of Criminology and Public Policy at the University of Brighton, told us that “recent suggestions that firearm licences should be extended to ten years, rather than the current five, represents a step in the wrong direction”.155 Professor Squires stated that lengthening the renewal period “signals a reduced level of licensee scrutiny and longer time periods during which the social and psychological circumstances of licensees might vary/deteriorate considerably”, noting that this carries the possibility of “producing greater risk”.156 Given that licence renewal fees are lower than fees for original applications, we suggest that licence renewal fees could be increased to provide more resources to process more frequent renewals. 145 Q3 146 “Dunblane victim’s dad calls for stricter gun laws after Skye shooting”, The National, accessed 13 September 2022 147 Home Affairs Committee, 14 December 2010, Firearms control, The Licence Renewal and Revocation Process, section 78 148 Home Affairs Committee, 14 December 2010, Firearms control, Conclusions and recommendations, Recommendation 12 149 Home Affairs Committee, 14 December 2010, Firearms control, Conclusions and recommenda
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Government response AI summary
The government has noted the recommendation to keep the current renewal period of five years under review and are seeking views on this issue in the consultation paper.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
59
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
Overall, there is no general agreement on whether the current five-year renewal period should be shortened or lengthened. This means that there may be little value in changing it. Presently, Superintendent Duncan stated, “the reality is that a large majority of the renewals pass through the system without any further …
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Overall, there is no general agreement on whether the current five-year renewal period should be shortened or lengthened. This means that there may be little value in changing it. Presently, Superintendent Duncan stated, “the reality is that a large majority of the renewals pass through the system without any further refusals or revocations, and only about 2% do not progress”157, suggesting that the current renewal period is working adequately on an individual basis. Assistant Chief Constable Alan Spiers, Strategic Firearms Commander for Police Scotland, summarised the position, saying that “the five- year renewal programme is about right”.158
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Government response AI summary
The government has noted the Committee’s recommendation that the current renewal period of five years remain in place but that it should be kept under review and is seeking views on this issue in the consultation paper.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
60
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Acknowledged
Keith Brown MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Justice for the Scottish Government, told us that “you would likely want to have shorter timescales”159 for firearms licence renewal periods, and that this is “certainly something worth looking at”.160 However, the Cabinet Secretary stated that “if we are to reduce it, of course, …
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Keith Brown MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Justice for the Scottish Government, told us that “you would likely want to have shorter timescales”159 for firearms licence renewal periods, and that this is “certainly something worth looking at”.160 However, the Cabinet Secretary stated that “if we are to reduce it, of course, that increases the workload for police and others”.161 The Cabinet Secretary noted that, for licence renewal periods, “regulations are entirely reserved”162, although the Scottish Government does “feed into the thinking through a number of working groups”.163
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Government response AI summary
The government has noted the recommendation to keep the current renewal period of five years under review and are seeking views on this issue in the consultation paper.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
61
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
Rt Hon. Chris Philp MP, Minister for Crime, Policing and Fire for the Home Office, summarised the advantages and disadvantages of shortening and lengthening the firearms licence renewal period: “If the length of time were reduced, it would catch change in circumstances faster but, equally, it would impose a higher …
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Rt Hon. Chris Philp MP, Minister for Crime, Policing and Fire for the Home Office, summarised the advantages and disadvantages of shortening and lengthening the firearms licence renewal period: “If the length of time were reduced, it would catch change in circumstances faster but, equally, it would impose a higher burden on the police operationally and additional administration on the person who holds the firearms certificate. Conversely, if it was lengthened, for example to 10 years, it would reduce the bureaucratic burden on the police and the firearms holder, it would reduce cost, but it would increase the chance that there was some change in circumstance that did not get caught”.164
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Government response AI summary
The government has noted the committee's recommendation that the current renewal period of five years remain in place, but is seeking views on this issue in the consultation paper.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
62
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
The Minister told us that “[i]t is a balance… [t]he balance is currently struck at five years”.165 He suggested that the Home Office would be willing to consider reviewing the firearms licence renewal period, saying: “we are very happy to look at evidence arguing both ways… I would be very …
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The Minister told us that “[i]t is a balance… [t]he balance is currently struck at five years”.165 He suggested that the Home Office would be willing to consider reviewing the firearms licence renewal period, saying: “we are very happy to look at evidence arguing both ways… I would be very interested to see that in your report and see what the Committee suggests”.166
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Government response AI summary
The government has noted the committee's recommendation that the current renewal period of five years remain in place, but is seeking views on this issue in the consultation paper.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
63
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Acknowledged
We have heard that the current renewal period of five years is appropriate. We have heard that there is scope to consider lengthening the renewal period in order to free police resources, although we are concerned that this would reduce the ability 157 Q115 158 Q123 159 Q160 160 Q161 …
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We have heard that the current renewal period of five years is appropriate. We have heard that there is scope to consider lengthening the renewal period in order to free police resources, although we are concerned that this would reduce the ability 157 Q115 158 Q123 159 Q160 160 Q161 161 Q161 162 Q161 163 Q161 164 Q204 165 Q204 166 Q204 22 Firearms licensing regulations in Scotland of police to monitor firearms possession adequately. Similarly, more frequent checks would require additional burden on police resources, which might not be feasible at this time.
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Government response AI summary
The UK Government has noted the Committee’s conclusion that the current renewal period of five years should remain in place but that it should be kept under review and they are seeking views on this issue in the consultation paper.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
64
Recommendation
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Acknowledged
We recommend that the current renewal period of five years remain in place for the time being. However, we recommend that the renewal period should be kept under review, particularly if an alternative, workable method of mental health monitoring and assessment were to be introduced, which we look at in …
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We recommend that the current renewal period of five years remain in place for the time being. However, we recommend that the renewal period should be kept under review, particularly if an alternative, workable method of mental health monitoring and assessment were to be introduced, which we look at in the next Chapter of this Report. Differences in legislation between firearms and shotgun licences
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Government response AI summary
The government has noted the recommendation to keep the renewal period under review and is seeking views on this issue in the consultation paper.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
65
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Rejected
There are differences in requirements which applicants must meet, in order to obtain firearms licences and shotgun licences. Although legislation related to air weapons is devolved167, Superintendent Duncan told us that “the air weapons test is effectively the same test that would be applied to a firearm”168 - further highlighting …
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There are differences in requirements which applicants must meet, in order to obtain firearms licences and shotgun licences. Although legislation related to air weapons is devolved167, Superintendent Duncan told us that “the air weapons test is effectively the same test that would be applied to a firearm”168 - further highlighting the difference between these requirements and the requirements for shotgun licences. We have heard calls from witnesses for shotgun legislation to be brought into line with firearms and air weapon legislation.
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Government response AI summary
The government has decided not to proceed with the recommendations made to align shotgun and firearms legislation, stating that shotguns are already subject to significant controls and that additional controls are unnecessary and would have a negative impact on their legitimate use; but the government …
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Scotland Office
66
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Rejected
Superintendent Steven Duncan, Head of National Firearms and Explosives Licensing for Police Scotland, told us that, to obtain firearms licences, “you have been deemed to be fit to be entrusted, that you have had good reason for the possession of the firearm, and that that possession would be without danger …
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Superintendent Steven Duncan, Head of National Firearms and Explosives Licensing for Police Scotland, told us that, to obtain firearms licences, “you have been deemed to be fit to be entrusted, that you have had good reason for the possession of the firearm, and that that possession would be without danger to public safety”.169 By contrast, to obtain shotgun licences, Superintendent Duncan told us that “you still need to have good reason, but the only other additional requirement is that there is no additional risk in terms of public safety”.170 Moreover, Superintendent Duncan stated that even “the onus to demonstrate good reason for a firearm sits with the applicant, whereas, with the shotgun legislation, the onus is on the police to show that there is not good reason”.171
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Government response AI summary
The government decided not to proceed with the recommendations made to align shotgun and firearms legislation due to the fact that shotguns are already subject to significant controls and they are important in helping farmers control vermin on their land and in rural pursuits.
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Scotland Office
67
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Rejected
Additionally, the number of referees required to obtain firearms licences is higher than for shotgun licences.172 Superintendent Duncan told us that “For a firearm application you are required to provide two referees, for a shotgun application, you are required to provide one”.173
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Additionally, the number of referees required to obtain firearms licences is higher than for shotgun licences.172 Superintendent Duncan told us that “For a firearm application you are required to provide two referees, for a shotgun application, you are required to provide one”.173
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Government response AI summary
The government has decided not to proceed with the recommendations to align shotgun and firearms legislation, stating that shotguns are already subject to controls and additional controls are unnecessary.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
68
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Rejected
The differences between firearms and shotgun legislation extend beyond obtaining licences - there are also differences related to revoking licences. Superintendent Duncan stated that: “if you lose your good reason to possess a firearm, we are empowered to withdraw your certificate. However, the same cannot be said for shotguns: if …
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The differences between firearms and shotgun legislation extend beyond obtaining licences - there are also differences related to revoking licences. Superintendent Duncan stated that: “if you lose your good reason to possess a firearm, we are empowered to withdraw your certificate. However, the same cannot be said for shotguns: if you no longer have a good reason, it would need to be on the grounds of public safety”.174 167 Scottish Government, Air weapon licensing in Scotland: a guide, accessed 12 December 2022 168 Q116 169 Q116 170 Q116 171 Q116 172 GOV.UK, Shotgun and firearms certificates, accessed 9 December 2022 173 Q129 174 Q116 Firearms licensing regulations in Scotland 23 He called this “a bit of a gap in the legislation”.175
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Government response AI summary
The government has decided not to proceed with aligning shotgun and firearms legislation, citing the importance of shotguns for farmers and rural pursuits and expressing concern that additional controls are unnecessary and would negatively impact legitimate use, but will keep it under review.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
69
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Rejected
Rt Hon. Chris Philp MP, Minister for Crime, Policing and Fire for the Home Office, stated that “the test is set differently … [because] there are many people particularly in rural communities, and including across Scotland as much as anywhere else, where the possession and use of shotguns are part …
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Rt Hon. Chris Philp MP, Minister for Crime, Policing and Fire for the Home Office, stated that “the test is set differently … [because] there are many people particularly in rural communities, and including across Scotland as much as anywhere else, where the possession and use of shotguns are part of rural life”.176 However, Superintendent Duncan stated that the requirements for shotgun licences ought to be the same as for firearms and air weapons, as this would make the process “consistent and clear for everyone”.177 He said that “I struggle to see why there would need to be that difference”178 between requirements for different types of weapon. Keith Brown MSP, Cabinet Minister for Justice for the Scottish Government, stated that “It is not immediately obvious to me why we should have different criteria for issuing those licences”.179
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Government response AI summary
The government has decided not to proceed with the recommendations made to align shotgun and firearms legislation, citing public safety balanced with the fact that most licensed firearms holders are law abiding and the importance of shotguns for farmers and rural pursuits.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
70
Recommendation
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Rejected
Police and officials pointed out the inconsistencies between firearms and shotgun licensing requirements, as described in legislation. To resolve these inconsistencies, they were clear that shotgun licensing requirements ought to be brought into line with licensing requirements for firearms and air weapons. These inconsistencies include: • applicants for shotgun licences …
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Police and officials pointed out the inconsistencies between firearms and shotgun licensing requirements, as described in legislation. To resolve these inconsistencies, they were clear that shotgun licensing requirements ought to be brought into line with licensing requirements for firearms and air weapons. These inconsistencies include: • applicants for shotgun licences not being required to demonstrate that they are ‘fit to be entrusted’ with shotguns; • not having their licences revoked except on the grounds of public safety (rather than no longer having a good reason to own shotguns); • being required to provide one character reference rather than two. Having the same requirements for firearms, shotgun and air weapon licences would make the licensing process clearer for applicants seeking to obtain these licences, and for police forces administering the licensing process.
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Government response AI summary
The government has decided not to proceed with the recommendations made to align shotgun and firearms legislation, arguing that shotguns are already subject to significant controls and additional controls are unnecessary.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
71
Recommendation
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Rejected
We recommend that the UK Government make the the legislation related to shotgun licences consistent with legislation related to firearms and air weapon licences. We recommend that the UK Government change shotgun licence legislation to require people applying for shotgun licences to demonstrate that they are ‘fit to be entrusted’ …
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We recommend that the UK Government make the the legislation related to shotgun licences consistent with legislation related to firearms and air weapon licences. We recommend that the UK Government change shotgun licence legislation to require people applying for shotgun licences to demonstrate that they are ‘fit to be entrusted’ with shotguns, and to provide character references from two referees. 175 Q116 176 Q197 177 Q118 178 Q118 179 Q157 24 Firearms licensing regulations in Scotland 4 Medical assessments
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Government response AI summary
The government has decided not to proceed with the recommendations made to align shotgun and firearms legislation, citing public safety balanced with the fact that most licensed firearms holders are law abiding and the importance of shotguns for farmers and rural pursuits.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
72
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Accepted
Medical assessments for firearms licence holders were being carried out in Scotland for several years before they were statutorily introduced in the UK. Keith Brown MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Justice for the Scottish Government, stated that Police Scotland have undertaken “mental health checks… going back to 2016”180, while Rt Hon. …
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Medical assessments for firearms licence holders were being carried out in Scotland for several years before they were statutorily introduced in the UK. Keith Brown MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Justice for the Scottish Government, stated that Police Scotland have undertaken “mental health checks… going back to 2016”180, while Rt Hon. Chris Philp MP, Minister for Crime, Policing and Fire for the Home Office, told us that, in the UK, “the statutory guidance that was introduced on 1 November 2021 made it a requirement that police sources consider medical information”.181
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Government response AI summary
The government highlighted the significant strengthening of medical checks, including the digital firearms marker in England, and stated their readiness to work with the Scottish Government if they decide to introduce the digital marker in Scotland. Also, they are consulting on the issue of mandatory …
Read full response →
Scotland Office
73
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Acknowledged
GPs’ involvement is key to the firearms licensing process. For example, Superintendent Steven Duncan, Head of National Firearms and Explosives Licensing for Police Scotland, told us: “We are quite clear that if your GP practice is not willing to put a flag on to your medical records, you are not …
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GPs’ involvement is key to the firearms licensing process. For example, Superintendent Steven Duncan, Head of National Firearms and Explosives Licensing for Police Scotland, told us: “We are quite clear that if your GP practice is not willing to put a flag on to your medical records, you are not getting granted a firearms certificate”.182 For this reason, further consultation with GPs on areas like medical assessments for firearms licence applicants and the flagging system would be valuable. The responsibility for the NHS in Scotland is devolved to the Scottish Parliament183, so the UK Government and Scottish Government should work together on consulting GPs working for NHS Scotland about areas like medical assessments and the flagging system. The GP flagging system
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Government response AI summary
The government describes the strengthening of medical checks, including the digital firearms marker in England, and says it is ready to work with the Scottish Government if they decide to introduce a similar marker.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
74
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Acknowledged
A key issue covered in firearms licensing is safety, in which firearms owners’ mental health plays a crucial role. The Home Office’s statutory guidance requires individuals who are applying for and renewing firearms licences to disclose relevant conditions like drug and alcohol related conditions184, depression, anxiety, and dementia.185 Since the …
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A key issue covered in firearms licensing is safety, in which firearms owners’ mental health plays a crucial role. The Home Office’s statutory guidance requires individuals who are applying for and renewing firearms licences to disclose relevant conditions like drug and alcohol related conditions184, depression, anxiety, and dementia.185 Since the Home Office’s statutory guidance came into effect in November 2021, individuals who are applying for or renewing firearms licences must also provide a medical assessment from their GP.186
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the strengthening of medical checks for firearms licensing and the development of a digital firearms marker in England, and stands ready to work with the Scottish Government if they decide to introduce the digital marker to GP surgeries in Scotland and will …
Read full response →
Scotland Office
75
Recommendation
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Accepted in Part
GPs can place ‘flags’ on patients’ medical records to alert clinicians that individuals own firearms.187 Both policy experts advocating gun control and shooting associations have expressed concern that the flagging system is inadequate. Professor Peter Squires, Professor Emeritus of Criminology and Public Policy at the University of Brighton, has stated …
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GPs can place ‘flags’ on patients’ medical records to alert clinicians that individuals own firearms.187 Both policy experts advocating gun control and shooting associations have expressed concern that the flagging system is inadequate. Professor Peter Squires, Professor Emeritus of Criminology and Public Policy at the University of Brighton, has stated that police needed to engage in “much more involvement with health services to ensure people with mental health problems didn’t get through the licensing system”188, while the British Shooting Sports Council told us that the flagging system as a whole is “unacceptably weak”.189 The Council said that: “In the absence of agreement from the medical profession for a GP to be required by law to place the marker, the Statutory Guidance envisages it 180 Q159 181 Q218 182 Q139 183 Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland, Facts about NHS funding in Scotland, accessed 8 December 2022 184 Home Office, Firearms licensing: statutory guidance for Chief Officers of Police, December 2021, page 8 185 “Dunblane victim’s dad calls for stricter gun laws after Skye shooting”, The National, 14 August 2022 186 Home Office, Firearms licensing: statutory guidance for Chief Officers of Police, December 2021, page 6 187 British Medical Association, The firearms licensing process, accessed 13 September 2022 188 BBC Sussex Radio, Interview of Professor Peter Squires by Danielle Perry, transcript accessed 13 September 2022 189 British Shooting Sports Council (FLR0010) Firearms licensing regulations in Scotland 25 being placed by the GP on a ‘best endeavours’ basis. We believe that to be inadequate insofar as it allows for the possibility that a medical practitioner is left unaware that the patient who he is treating may be in possession of firearms”.190
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Government response AI summary
The UK Government acknowledges the recommendation and highlights the development of a new digital firearms marker in England, offering to work with the Scottish Government if they decide to introduce a similar marker in Scotland; they are also seeking views on interim checks.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
76
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Acknowledged
Keith Brown MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Justice for the Scottish Government, told us: “We are aware that there can sometimes be some technical challenges to using the marker, for example when a patient moves between practices, and we are continuing to work with the police and with doctors”.191 The Cabinet …
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Keith Brown MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Justice for the Scottish Government, told us: “We are aware that there can sometimes be some technical challenges to using the marker, for example when a patient moves between practices, and we are continuing to work with the police and with doctors”.191 The Cabinet Secretary suggested that the flagging system “this could be looked at in greater depth, and we could finesse it and make it more refined and effective”.192
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the strengthening of medical checks for firearms licensing and the development of a digital firearms marker in England, and stands ready to work with the Scottish Government if they decide to introduce the digital marker to GP surgeries in Scotland and will …
Read full response →
Scotland Office
77
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Acknowledged
The GP flagging system is valuable, but we believe that it could be strengthened in order to make it as effective as possible.
Government response AI summary
The government describes the strengthening of medical checks, including the digital firearms marker in England, and says it is ready to work with the Scottish Government if they decide to introduce a similar marker.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
78
Recommendation
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Accepted in Part
We recommend that the UK Government and the Scottish Government work together to review the GP flagging system. This review could address issues including communication between medical practitioners and the police, and problems which arise when firearms owners move medical practices. Medical reports by GPs
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We recommend that the UK Government and the Scottish Government work together to review the GP flagging system. This review could address issues including communication between medical practitioners and the police, and problems which arise when firearms owners move medical practices. Medical reports by GPs
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Government response AI summary
The UK Government acknowledges the recommendation and highlights the development of a new digital firearms marker in England, offering to work with the Scottish Government if they decide to introduce a similar marker in Scotland; they are also seeking views on interim checks.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
79
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Acknowledged
If a GP conscientiously objects to firearms, they might refuse to engage with the licensing process.193 In this case, applicants must obtain a report from another licensed medical practitioner.194 The British Medical Association supports GPs’ right to conscientiously object to engaging with the firearms licensing process, and further states that …
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If a GP conscientiously objects to firearms, they might refuse to engage with the licensing process.193 In this case, applicants must obtain a report from another licensed medical practitioner.194 The British Medical Association supports GPs’ right to conscientiously object to engaging with the firearms licensing process, and further states that “conscientious objectors do not need to arrange for alternative provision of a report”.195 We heard calls to make GPs’ involvement in the firearms licensing process a “statutory obligation” (in the words of the British Association for Shooting and Conservation).196
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Government response AI summary
The government describes the strengthening of medical checks, including the digital firearms marker in England, and says it is ready to work with the Scottish Government if they decide to introduce a similar marker.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
80
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Acknowledged
Dr Colin Shedden, Director Scotland for the British Association for Shooting and Conservation, told us that “the fact that GPs are not legally obliged to participate, so they can opt out under the conscientious objector banner” is “the one area that we do have concern about”197 in the firearms licensing …
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Dr Colin Shedden, Director Scotland for the British Association for Shooting and Conservation, told us that “the fact that GPs are not legally obliged to participate, so they can opt out under the conscientious objector banner” is “the one area that we do have concern about”197 in the firearms licensing process. Dr Shedden suggested that “[i]f the Home Office was to introduce a statutory requirement for GPs to participate in the process with respect to public safety, we would certainly welcome that”.198
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Government response AI summary
The UK Government acknowledges the committee's discussion around the GP role in firearms licensing and points to actions underway, including a digital marker in England and an offer to work with the Scottish Government if they wish to implement a similar system.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
81
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Acknowledged
However, it may not be necessary to make GPs’ involvement mandatory. We heard from Superintendent Steven Duncan, Head of National Firearms and Explosives Licensing for Police Scotland, that the number of GPs who choose not to provide medical reports as part of the licensing process is “incredibly low”199, which was …
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However, it may not be necessary to make GPs’ involvement mandatory. We heard from Superintendent Steven Duncan, Head of National Firearms and Explosives Licensing for Police Scotland, that the number of GPs who choose not to provide medical reports as part of the licensing process is “incredibly low”199, which was echoed by other witnesses. Dr Shedden estimated that “[m]aybe 10 or 20 of them are doing that in Scotland just now, 190 British Shooting Sports Council (FLR0010) 191 Q181 192 Q159 193 British Medical Association, The firearms licensing process, accessed 13 September 2022 194 Home Office, Firearms licensing: statutory guidance for Chief Officers of Police, December 2021, page 6 195 British Medical Association, The firearms licensing process, accessed 13 September 2022 196 British Association for Shooting and Conservation (FLR0015) 197 Q72 198 Q72 199 Q139 26 Firearms licensing regulations in Scotland out of over 1,000 GP practices” - concluding that “it is a low proportion”.200 Rt Hon. Chris Philp MP, Minister for Crime, Policing and Fire for the Home Office, told us that, in Scotland, 95% of GP practices do engage with the process.201 This suggests that the current process works adequately. The Minister stated: “I hesitate somewhat for the Government to intervene with regulation or statute where it is essentially working already”, but said that “I am always happy to keep it under review”.202
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Government response AI summary
The UK Government acknowledges the committee's discussion around the GP role in firearms licensing and points to actions underway, including a digital marker in England and an offer to work with the Scottish Government if they wish to implement a similar system.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
82
Recommendation
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Accepted in Part
We recommend that the UK Government and Scottish Government work together to consult GPs on whether GPs’ engagement with the firearms licensing process should be made mandatory. GPs’ compulsory engagement may help GPs to flag health issues affecting firearms owners’ suitability to police more quickly and easily. Although this inquiry …
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We recommend that the UK Government and Scottish Government work together to consult GPs on whether GPs’ engagement with the firearms licensing process should be made mandatory. GPs’ compulsory engagement may help GPs to flag health issues affecting firearms owners’ suitability to police more quickly and easily. Although this inquiry has not included a consultation with GPs, it is imperative that such a consultation be carried out so that the UK Government is able to make evidence-based policy decisions on the matter of conscientious objection.
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Government response AI summary
The UK Government stands ready to work with the Scottish Government if they decide to introduce the digital marker to GP surgeries in Scotland and will work with the Scottish Government, if it decides that it wishes to adopt a similar digital marker in Scotland.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
83
Recommendation
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Acknowledged
If a review concludes that it is inadvisable to make GPs’ engagement with the firearms licensing process mandatory, we recommend that statutory guidance emphasise the strong expectation that GPs who object conscientiously to engaging with the firearms licensing process will pass on applicants to another GP in the same practice, …
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If a review concludes that it is inadvisable to make GPs’ engagement with the firearms licensing process mandatory, we recommend that statutory guidance emphasise the strong expectation that GPs who object conscientiously to engaging with the firearms licensing process will pass on applicants to another GP in the same practice, where there is one. Interim checks on licence holders
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Government response AI summary
The government highlights strengthening of medical checks, the digital firearms marker in England, and statutory guidance. The Home Office will work with the Scottish Government if it decides to introduce the digital marker to GP surgeries in Scotland, and is seeking views on interim checks …
Read full response →
Scotland Office
84
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Acknowledged
The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health says that an individual’s mental health “can change in a short period of time and fluctuate rapidly”.203 Despite this, in- depth checks are carried out on firearms owners only at initial applications and at five- yearly renewals. Dr North, a founding member of …
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The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health says that an individual’s mental health “can change in a short period of time and fluctuate rapidly”.203 Despite this, in- depth checks are carried out on firearms owners only at initial applications and at five- yearly renewals. Dr North, a founding member of the Gun Control Network, stated that currently “there aren’t many ongoing checks between the five-year period”.204 The British Association for Shooting and Conservation went further, saying that there is “potentially no medical monitoring during the life of the certificate”.205 This is the more problematic because Dr North told us that “five years is often being extended now”206 due to the delays which some police forces are experiencing in processing renewals - some firearms owners whose licences have lapsed have been given “temporary permits”.207 Dr North stated that temporary permits mean that firearms owners “do not have to surrender their gun before renewal”208, meaning that they are in possession of firearms for longer without checks. Professor Peter Squires, Professor Emeritus of Criminology and Public Policy at the University of Brighton, quoting a 2015 report from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services209, told us that this represents a “[f]ailure to undertake ongoing monitoring of health, including mental well-being”.210 For this reason, we have heard calls for ongoing or interim medical checks during the life of licences. 200 Q72 201 Q218 202 Q219 203 Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, Mental health, accessed 6 December 2022 204 Q20 205 British Association for Shooting and Conservation, Statutory guidance on firearms licensing published, accessed 13 September 2022 206 Q20 207 Q20 208 Q20 209 At the time of the 2015 report, this organisation was named ‘Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary’. 210 Professor Peter Squires (FLR0007) Firearms licensing regulations in Scotland 27
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Government response AI summary
The government describes the strengthening of medical checks, including the digital firearms marker in England, and says it is ready to work with the Scottish Government if they decide to introduce a similar marker.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
85
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Acknowledged
Interim medical checks at regular intervals would enable GPs, and thus potentially police, to become aware of changes in individuals’ mental health during the life of firearms licences. Noticing changes soon after they emerge may mean that individuals could be given help before they experience significant deterioration in their mental …
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Interim medical checks at regular intervals would enable GPs, and thus potentially police, to become aware of changes in individuals’ mental health during the life of firearms licences. Noticing changes soon after they emerge may mean that individuals could be given help before they experience significant deterioration in their mental health which, in firearms owners, could impact both the individuals themselves and public safety. One witness told us that “continuous monitoring of the licence holder has to be the way to go as it should allow faster response to issues”.211 This position was supported by the British Shooting Sports Council, who told us that GPs and police “should ensure continuous monitoring of the medical fitness of an individual to possess firearms throughout a certificate’s 5 year life”.212 We heard that this could be done as frequently as annually, stating that “maybe yearly mental health assessments are a better way, rather than every 5 years”.213
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Government response AI summary
The government describes the strengthening of medical checks, including the digital firearms marker in England, and says it is ready to work with the Scottish Government if they decide to introduce a similar marker.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
86
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Acknowledged
We heard from some witnesses that more checks which could detect changes in licence holders’ mental health and suitability to own firearms are not needed. Dr Colin Shedden, Director Scotland for the British Association for Shooting and Conservation, stated that “individual certificate holders are under practical 24-hour-a-day surveillance now”214 by …
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We heard from some witnesses that more checks which could detect changes in licence holders’ mental health and suitability to own firearms are not needed. Dr Colin Shedden, Director Scotland for the British Association for Shooting and Conservation, stated that “individual certificate holders are under practical 24-hour-a-day surveillance now”214 by police, rendering set checks obsolete. Similarly, Dr John Thorogood, who has held firearms licences in Scotland for over forty years, told us that “[t]he involvement of GPs, the licensee’s criminal record together with the licensee’s posts on social media already provide sufficient evidence on which to base a decision regarding a licensee’s fitness”.215 Nick Hunt, Head of the Firearms Policy Unit at the Home Office, told us: “One of the things that we are stressing as part of the statutory guidance and working with the police is the continuous assessment process. They are looking at other police intelligence databases or whatever to make sure that they are picking up issues about individuals with firearms certificates”.216
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the recommendations for changes to the GP role in firearms licensing, notes the strengthening of medical checks including the digital firearms marker in England, and states it stands ready to work with the Scottish Government if they decide to introduce the digital …
Read full response →
Scotland Office
87
Recommendation
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
We recommend that the UK Government and Scottish Government work together to investigate the merits of medical practitioners and police conducting interim checks on firearms licence holders. These checks would take place between licence application and renewal. Interim checks would allow police to observe more accelerated changes in individuals’ mental …
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We recommend that the UK Government and Scottish Government work together to investigate the merits of medical practitioners and police conducting interim checks on firearms licence holders. These checks would take place between licence application and renewal. Interim checks would allow police to observe more accelerated changes in individuals’ mental health, which might affect their suitability to own firearms during the life of their licences. Buddy initiatives
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Government response AI summary
The government is seeking views on the merits of medical practitioners and police conducting interim checks on firearms licence holders in the consultation paper and highlighted the existing digital marker program.
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Scotland Office
88
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Accepted in Part
We heard concerns that firearms owners might not inform authority figures that they are suffering from poor mental health for fear of repercussions. For example, Dr Michael North, a founding member of the Gun Control Network, stated that firearms licence holders “will not consult with a GP or anybody else …
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We heard concerns that firearms owners might not inform authority figures that they are suffering from poor mental health for fear of repercussions. For example, Dr Michael North, a founding member of the Gun Control Network, stated that firearms licence holders “will not consult with a GP or anybody else for fear that they might lose their 211 Mr Andy Spence (FLR0006) 212 British Shooting Sports Council (FLR0010) 213 Anonymised (FLR0004) 214 Q83 215 Dr John Thorogood (FLR0005) 216 Q221 28 Firearms licensing regulations in Scotland licence”217, and Fraser Lamb, Firearms Licensing Adviser for the Scottish Association for Country Sports, told us that “[t]he myth is that if you went to your doctor with a mental health problem, the police will take your guns away from you”.218
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Government response AI summary
The government is consulting on the 'buddy' initiatives recommendation and is working with police and shooting bodies to define the role of gun club liaison officers, intending to explore whether this model can be applied more widely to other shooting clubs.
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Scotland Office
89
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Acknowledged
However, Dr North stated that “[i]t is telling how many cases there have been where somebody’s poor mental health has been apparent retrospectively and then it has been revealed that somebody close to them was well aware of it, yet the system does not have a way of dealing with …
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However, Dr North stated that “[i]t is telling how many cases there have been where somebody’s poor mental health has been apparent retrospectively and then it has been revealed that somebody close to them was well aware of it, yet the system does not have a way of dealing with that”.219 This suggests that, although individuals may not discuss poor mental health with GPs or the police, it is likely that people close to them know about the issue.
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Government response AI summary
The government is consulting on 'buddy' initiatives and highlighting the revised role for gun club liaison officers, exploring whether this model can be applied more widely.
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Scotland Office
90
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Accepted in Part
For this reason, it may be advisable to set up more formal ‘buddy’ initiatives within shooting organisations. This could involve each member of a shooting organisation having a ‘buddy’ with whom they check in regularly - allowing buddies to notice any changes in each other’s mental health in a timely …
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For this reason, it may be advisable to set up more formal ‘buddy’ initiatives within shooting organisations. This could involve each member of a shooting organisation having a ‘buddy’ with whom they check in regularly - allowing buddies to notice any changes in each other’s mental health in a timely manner, and escalate any concerns.
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Government response AI summary
The government is consulting on the 'buddy' initiatives recommendation and is working with police and shooting bodies to define the role of gun club liaison officers, intending to explore whether this model can be applied more widely to other shooting clubs.
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Scotland Office
91
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Acknowledged
Shooting organisations already have informal ways of supporting their members who are experiencing poor mental health, such as providing open channels for members to discuss mental health with leaders of organisations, who then raise concerns with police where necessary. Nick Hunt, Head of the Firearms Policy Unit at the Home …
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Shooting organisations already have informal ways of supporting their members who are experiencing poor mental health, such as providing open channels for members to discuss mental health with leaders of organisations, who then raise concerns with police where necessary. Nick Hunt, Head of the Firearms Policy Unit at the Home Office, told us that shooting clubs “have liaison officers who liaise with the local force… It might be that their friends and colleagues in the shooting club bring it [a mental health concern] to the attention of the relevant police force so that action could be taken by that police force”.220 These informal ways to support members with their mental health involve creating an atmosphere in which members feel comfortable to approach others in their shooting organisation, to discuss their own and others’ mental health. For example, Fraser Lamb told us that “Members may phone us with concerns”221 and “[i]f we were made aware of any concerns in respect of someone’s suitability for firearms, there is a close enough relationship between the shooting organisations and Police Scotland to be able to communicate”.222 He confirmed that he, himself, had raised such concerns with the police in the past.223 Dr Colin Shedden, Director Scotland for the British Association for Shooting and Conservation, confirmed that for him, too, “there have been occasions when I have received information that has caused some concern and I have had discussions with Police Scotland or the previous constabularies that were dealing with it”.224 As current informal arrangements do help members of shooting organisations to address mental health concerns, formal ‘buddy’ initiatives may make this process even more successful.
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Government response AI summary
The government is consulting on 'buddy' initiatives and highlighting the revised role for gun club liaison officers, exploring whether this model can be applied more widely.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
92
Recommendation
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Accepted in Part
Presently, there is no formal channel by which shooting organisations may raise concerns about their members with the police. Assistant Chief Constable Alan Spiers, Strategic Firearms Commander for Police Scotland, noted that, at the moment, “[t]here is a great responsibility placed on shooting organisations and clubs to highlight concerns”225 of …
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Presently, there is no formal channel by which shooting organisations may raise concerns about their members with the police. Assistant Chief Constable Alan Spiers, Strategic Firearms Commander for Police Scotland, noted that, at the moment, “[t]here is a great responsibility placed on shooting organisations and clubs to highlight concerns”225 of their own accord. Additionally, with no official channel, the current arrangement relies 217 Q18 218 Q59 219 Q19 220 Q221 221 Q51 222 Q50 223 Q51 224 Q52 225 Q123 Firearms licensing regulations in Scotland 29 on individuals who have connections with police forces - like Fraser Lamb (formerly Head of Firearms Licensing for Police Scotland), who “because of my police service and intelligence background, know[s] how to sanitise that and to pass it on to the police so that they can turn it into whatever executive action is required”.226 An official channel for all members of any shooting organisation would mean that individuals could express their concerns to police more quickly and easily.
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Government response AI summary
The government is consulting on 'buddy' initiatives and intends to highlight the revised role for gun club liaison officers, and explore whether this model might be applied more widely to other shooting clubs.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
93
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Accepted
Encouraging shooting organisations to have formal buddy initiatives may also create spaces in which firearms licence holders feel comfortable with discussing their mental health. This could be an important way to help improve individuals’ mental health, so that it does not become problematic for them or for public safety - …
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Encouraging shooting organisations to have formal buddy initiatives may also create spaces in which firearms licence holders feel comfortable with discussing their mental health. This could be an important way to help improve individuals’ mental health, so that it does not become problematic for them or for public safety - the Mental Health Foundation states that “just talking things through with a person we trust can help”.227 This is especially relevant for groups of people who are more likely to use firearms for work or leisure. Dr Shedden told us that there is a “long-standing belief that men in particular [are] reluctant to discuss health issues, especially mental health issues, and it is predominantly men who have firearms in society in Scotland and in Great Britain”.228
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Government response AI summary
The government has been working with the police and shooting representative bodies to bring greater definition to the role of gun club liaison officers and intends to highlight this revised role and explore whether this model might be applied more widely to other shooting clubs.
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Scotland Office
94
Recommendation
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Accepted in Part
We recommend that the UK Government and Scottish Government encourage and support the creation of ‘buddy’ initiatives for firearms owners. Buddy initiatives could be integrated into shooting organisations, workplaces and sporting clubs. Buddy initiatives would enable individuals to recognise and raise concerns about changes in their buddies’ mental health. This …
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We recommend that the UK Government and Scottish Government encourage and support the creation of ‘buddy’ initiatives for firearms owners. Buddy initiatives could be integrated into shooting organisations, workplaces and sporting clubs. Buddy initiatives would enable individuals to recognise and raise concerns about changes in their buddies’ mental health. This would formalise existing informal arrangements within shooting organisations and clubs. Supporting shooting organisations in advertising mental health services
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Government response AI summary
The government is consulting on 'buddy' initiatives and will work with police and shooting bodies to highlight the revised role for gun club liaison officers, and then explore whether and how this model might be applied more widely to other shooting clubs.
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Scotland Office
95
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Acknowledged
As mentioned above, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation stated that “some certificate holders may be unwilling to seek medical assistance if they feel that this could affect their suitability to retain their certificate(s)”.229 Consequently, Fraser Lamb, Firearms Licensing Adviser for the Scottish Association for Country Sports, told us …
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As mentioned above, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation stated that “some certificate holders may be unwilling to seek medical assistance if they feel that this could affect their suitability to retain their certificate(s)”.229 Consequently, Fraser Lamb, Firearms Licensing Adviser for the Scottish Association for Country Sports, told us that shooting organisations like the Scottish Association for Country Sports “have done a lot of work on trying to stop that or trying to advise people accordingly”.230
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Government response AI summary
The UK government acknowledges the challenges faced by rural communities and mentions that they are consulting regarding mental health support, highlighting existing initiatives that can be delivered remotely.
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Scotland Office
96
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Acknowledged
One result of this work is the distribution of leaflets about mental health, aimed specifically at individuals who shoot for work or leisure, which outline “sources of help and advice”.231 The British Association for Shooting and Conservation told us that this includes the Scottish Firearms and Explosives Licensing Practitioners Group’s …
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One result of this work is the distribution of leaflets about mental health, aimed specifically at individuals who shoot for work or leisure, which outline “sources of help and advice”.231 The British Association for Shooting and Conservation told us that this includes the Scottish Firearms and Explosives Licensing Practitioners Group’s leaflet entitled Firearms and mental health: awareness and support232 and the Gamekeepers Welfare Trust’s leaflet entitled Mental ill health in the work place for rural workers in Scotland: gamekeepers, stalkers, ghillies and shepherds.233 The British Association for 226 Q51 227 Mental Health Foundation, Our best mental health tips - backed by research, accessed 6 December 2022 228 Q61 229 British Association for Shooting and Conservation (FLR0015) 230 Q59 231 Q60 232 British Association for Shooting and Conservation (FLR0015); This leaflet can be found on Scottish Target Shooting, Scottish firearms bodies launch campaign to raise awareness about mental health support, accessed 6 September 2022 233 This leaflet can be found on the Gamekeepers Welfare Trust, Firearms and mental health awareness and support - advice, accessed 13 September 2022 30 Firearms licensing regulations in Scotland Shooting and Conservation stated that these leaflets are “designed to advise certificate holders and, importantly, their family and friends that mental health challenges are common throughout society and that it is always best to seek support”.234 In a joint submission, the Scottish Association for Country Sports, Scottish Land and Estates, Scottish Target Shooting, The Gun Trade Association, The Scottish Countryside Alliance and The Scottish Gamekeepers Association told us that the leafletting campaign has been successful. They said that they had published and distributed: “30k copies of the Firearms and Mental Health Awareness and Support leaflet. This [leaflet] will be distributed to all certificate holders over the next five years by Police Scotla
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Government response AI summary
The government has noted the Committee’s recommendation in relation to advertising avenues to mental health support for the shooting community and is consulting and would welcome views on this recommendation.
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Scotland Office
97
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Acknowledged
As the shooting community has started advertising mental health support services of their own accord, it may be productive for the UK Government to support further efforts.
Government response AI summary
The UK Government has noted the Committee’s recommendation in relation to advertising avenues to mental health support for the shooting community and is consulting and would welcome views on whether and how a similar form of leaflet on mental health could be developed and distributed …
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Scotland Office
98
Recommendation
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
We recommend that the UK Government support the shooting community in advertising avenues to mental health support, to build on the recent release of leaflets about mental health in that community. We recommend that the UK Government ask the Scottish Government to join this effort in advertising mental health services …
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We recommend that the UK Government support the shooting community in advertising avenues to mental health support, to build on the recent release of leaflets about mental health in that community. We recommend that the UK Government ask the Scottish Government to join this effort in advertising mental health services to shooters, and distributing materials such as the mental health leaflets produced by shooting organisations. Impact on remote rural communities
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Government response AI summary
The UK Government is consulting on whether and how a similar form of leaflet on mental health could be made available throughout the United Kingdom, and has been in discussion with the Scottish Government and Police Scotland about the work already undertaken in Scotland.
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Scotland Office
99
Recommendation
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
The tragic incident on the Isle of Skye highlighted the particular challenges faced by rural communities traumatised by fatal shootings. In relation to mental health generally, the British Shooting Sports Council told us that “the isolation inherent in some rural communities and occupations is well known to represent an area …
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The tragic incident on the Isle of Skye highlighted the particular challenges faced by rural communities traumatised by fatal shootings. In relation to mental health generally, the British Shooting Sports Council told us that “the isolation inherent in some rural communities and occupations is well known to represent an area of concern”.236 Keith Brown MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Justice for the Scottish Parliament, corroborated this, saying “there are questions around [mental health], especially in small and rural communities”.237
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Government response AI summary
The government is consulting on whether and how a leaflet on mental health could be made available throughout the United Kingdom, and is in discussion with the Scottish Government and Police Scotland about the work already undertaken in Scotland.
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Scotland Office
100
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Acknowledged
However, in relation to specific incidents, Reverend Gordon Matheson told us that “[t]here are issues around the subsequent trauma that people have experienced and accessing counselling care for that”.238 This issue is compounded by the relative lack of policing and medical infrastructure which can respond to traumatic incidents. For example, …
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However, in relation to specific incidents, Reverend Gordon Matheson told us that “[t]here are issues around the subsequent trauma that people have experienced and accessing counselling care for that”.238 This issue is compounded by the relative lack of policing and medical infrastructure which can respond to traumatic incidents. For example, Fraser Lamb, Firearms Licensing Adviser for the Scottish Association for Country Sports, stated that “people who stayed in the more rural communities… 234 British Association for Shooting and Conservation (FLR0015) 235 Scottish Association for Country Sports, Scottish Land and Estates, Scottish Target Shooting, The Gun Trade Association, The Scottish Countryside Alliance, and The Scottish Gamekeepers Association (FLR0009) 236 British Shooting Sports Council (FLR0010) 237 Q159 238 Q32 Firearms licensing regulations in Scotland 31 by definition do not see the police as often as you might in inner-city areas”239, while Reverend Gordon Matheson told us that “Skye has two ambulances, generally speaking one for the north end of Skye and one for the south end and Lochalsh”.240
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Government response AI summary
The UK government acknowledges the challenges faced by rural communities and mentions that they are consulting regarding mental health support, highlighting existing initiatives that can be delivered remotely.
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Scotland Office
101
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Accepted
We are concerned by the reports we heard about the impacts of fatal shootings which take place in rural communities in Scotland. It is clear to us that these communities should be provided with appropriate support where needed.
Government response AI summary
The government noted the committee's recommendation and is consulting on whether and how a similar form of leaflet on mental health could return to more in-person face to face delivery, activity can still be delivered via remote technologies and that NHS talking therapies are available …
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Scotland Office
102
Recommendation
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Accepted
We recommend that the UK Government and Scottish Government work together either to put mental health resources like counselling in place in remote rural communities, or to ensure that mental health resources can be easily accessed in rural communities when tragedies involving firearms occur. 239 Q66 240 Q37 32 Firearms …
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We recommend that the UK Government and Scottish Government work together either to put mental health resources like counselling in place in remote rural communities, or to ensure that mental health resources can be easily accessed in rural communities when tragedies involving firearms occur. 239 Q66 240 Q37 32 Firearms licensing regulations in Scotland Conclusions and recommendations The cost of firearms licensing
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Government response AI summary
The government noted the committee's recommendation and is consulting on whether and how a similar form of leaflet on mental health could return to more in-person face to face delivery, activity can still be delivered via remote technologies and that NHS talking therapies are available …
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Scotland Office
1
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
Police forces’ resources are stretched, so it seems unsatisfactory that they bear most of the cost of processing applications for firearms licences. It would seem desirable to move towards a situation where those people seeking a licence pay a fee to cover the cost of the process that it involves.
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Police forces’ resources are stretched, so it seems unsatisfactory that they bear most of the cost of processing applications for firearms licences. It would seem desirable to move towards a situation where those people seeking a licence pay a fee to cover the cost of the process that it involves.
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Government response AI summary
The government stated that it will consider the recommendation for a two-tier system of licensing fees further when they consult, later this summer, on new fees for firearms licensing, which will be informed by a data collection exercise to gather up-to-date information on the costs …
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Scotland Office
2
Recommendation
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
We recommend that the UK Government put in place a two-tier system of firearms licence costs. This system ought to require individuals who use firearms for leisure to pay the full cost of their licence applications, with no immediate financial cost to police forces or the taxpayer. The second tier …
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We recommend that the UK Government put in place a two-tier system of firearms licence costs. This system ought to require individuals who use firearms for leisure to pay the full cost of their licence applications, with no immediate financial cost to police forces or the taxpayer. The second tier would apply to those who use firearms for work purposes. To facilitate this, the UK Government ought to produce a list of work purposes for firearms which would entitle licence applicants to pay the second tier rate. We understand that there is a view that all firearm holders should consistently cover the cost of their own applications. However, we would err on the side of caution, and encourage a UK Government review to consider the implications that those costs might impose on those who rely on firearms for work (as well as a clear definition of ‘work’ for the purpose of clarity). Following a thorough consultation with affected parties, the UK Government would be in a better position to take a decision on whether individuals who use firearms for work could have their licences partly funded. (Paragraph 24) Raising concerns
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Government response AI summary
The government will consider the recommendation for a two-tier system of licensing fees further when consulting on new fees for firearms licensing later this summer, which will be informed by a data collection exercise.
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Scotland Office
3
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Acknowledged
The referee system has merit in protecting public safety and the peace; but we have significant concerns about the referee system for the firearms licensing process, which must be addressed before it is fit for purpose. These include concerns about applicants canvassing for referees, and lack of mandatory consultation with …
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The referee system has merit in protecting public safety and the peace; but we have significant concerns about the referee system for the firearms licensing process, which must be addressed before it is fit for purpose. These include concerns about applicants canvassing for referees, and lack of mandatory consultation with people close to firearms licence applicants. We heard from a former Head of Firearms Licensing for Police Scotland, he “saw no practical merit in having referees”.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the concerns raised and notes that similar issues were raised by the IOPC and the Senior Coroner for Plymouth, Torbay and South Devon and states it is now consulting on possible changes to the role and participation of referees.
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Scotland Office
4
Recommendation
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
We recommend that the UK Government conduct a review of the referee system, to determine whether it is fit for purpose. This review ought to address the issue of individuals canvassing for positive references, or putting pressure on people to give positive references (for example, by engaging in the peer …
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We recommend that the UK Government conduct a review of the referee system, to determine whether it is fit for purpose. This review ought to address the issue of individuals canvassing for positive references, or putting pressure on people to give positive references (for example, by engaging in the peer pressuring behaviours which may be experienced in smaller communities, or coercion as a feature of domestic violence). This review should also address the options open to police when individuals change referees between application and renewal, and between subsequent renewals. While policy relating to the police is generally a devolved matter, the UK Government ought to be looking to share best practice with the Scottish Government and Police Scotland.
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Government response AI summary
The government is consulting on possible changes to the role and participation of referees in the firearms licensing process.
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Scotland Office
5
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Accepted in Part
There is potential for conjugal partners to play a vital role in assessing individuals’ suitability to own firearms. In Canada’s firearms licensing system, conjugal partners play a key role in assessing whether applicants are fit to be entrusted with firearm - either by countersigning applications or (if this does not …
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There is potential for conjugal partners to play a vital role in assessing individuals’ suitability to own firearms. In Canada’s firearms licensing system, conjugal partners play a key role in assessing whether applicants are fit to be entrusted with firearm - either by countersigning applications or (if this does not happen) discussing the Firearms licensing regulations in Scotland 33 application with police. Following Canada’s example by involving conjugal partners more closely in the UK’s firearms licensing process could help to ensure that only people who meet the statutory guidance’s suitability requirements are granted firearms licences.
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Government response AI summary
The government is seeking views on interviewing partners/household members with a record/allegations of violence, will look again at advice on domestic abuse, and intends to publish a further version of the Statutory Guidance by the end of 2023.
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Scotland Office
6
Recommendation
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Accepted in Part
We recommend that the UK Government change the statutory guidance on firearms licensing to more strongly recommend that police forces involve present and former conjugal partners in the application and renewal process. Echoing the system used in Canada, this could involve police interviewing individual’s present and former conjugal partners as …
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We recommend that the UK Government change the statutory guidance on firearms licensing to more strongly recommend that police forces involve present and former conjugal partners in the application and renewal process. Echoing the system used in Canada, this could involve police interviewing individual’s present and former conjugal partners as a routine part of firearms licence applications and renewals, to confirm that the individual is suitable to own firearms. While this option may be a helpful addition to the firearms licensing process, it is not without risk. We heard that pressure to provide a partner with a positive reference might aggravate domestic violence. It would also place an additional burden on police resources. We urge the UK Government to consider those risks and to put in place safeguards where appropriate.
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Government response AI summary
The government will seek views in a consultation paper on interviewing partners and household members with a record or allegations of violence, and will look at clarifying advice on domestic abuse, with the intention to publish a further version of the Statutory Guidance by the …
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Scotland Office
7
Conclusion
Third Report - Firearms licensing regul…
Deferred
A single, dedicated channel for reporting concerns about people who own, or are applying to own, firearms could make that process simpler and easier. However, a dedicated hotline may be too difficult to resource and we are very much aware of the challenges around advertising such a new hotline, such …
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A single, dedicated channel for reporting concerns about people who own, or are applying to own, firearms could make that process simpler and easier. However, a dedicated hotline may be too difficult to resource and we are very much aware of the challenges around advertising such a new hotline, such as resorcing that advertisement and endeavouring to embed any new channel in the public consciousness.
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Government response AI summary
The government has noted the recommendation around creating a new reporting service and is seeking views on this in the accompanying consultation paper.
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Scotland Office