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 …
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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
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