Recommendations & Conclusions
30 items
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 …
Government response. 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.
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 …
Government response. 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 …
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 …
Government response. 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 …
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 …
Government response. 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.
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.
Government response. 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.
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 …
Government response. 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.
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 …
Government response. The government has noted the recommendation regarding the renewal period and are seeking views on this issue in the consultation paper.
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 …
Government response. 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.
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 …
Government response. 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.
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, …
Government response. 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.
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 …
Government response. 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.
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 …
Government response. The government has noted the recommendation to keep the renewal period under review and is seeking views on this issue in the consultation paper.
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 …
Government response. 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.
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 …
Government response. 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 …
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 …
Government response. 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 …
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. 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.
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 …
Government response. 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.
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 …
Government response. 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 …
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 …
Government response. 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 …
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, …
Government response. 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 …
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 …
Government response. 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.
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 …
Government response. 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.
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 …
Government response. 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 …
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 …
Government response. 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.
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 …
Government response. 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.
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 …
Government response. 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.
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 …
Government response. 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.
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. 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 …
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, …
Government response. 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.
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 …
Government response. 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 …
Scotland Office