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 …
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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
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
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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
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.
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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.
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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.
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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 …
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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 …
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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
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
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 …
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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 …
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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
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
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
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
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