Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 11
11
Deferred
Finally, we heard from the Gun Control Network that “[t]he primary weakness in the regulatory...
Conclusion
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
Government Response 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.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
The UK Government has looked at the recommendations from the Committee alongside Prevention of Future Deaths reports issued by the Senior Coroner for Plymouth, Torbay and South Devon on 8 March 2023, following the inquest into the deaths of those shot and killed by Jake Davison in Keyham, Plymouth, on 12 August 2021 and the report by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) following its investigation into Devon and Cornwall Police’s decision-making in relation to the possession of a shotgun and shotgun certificate by Jake Davison, published on 20 February 2023. You will have seen today that we started a consultation for eight weeks on the recommendations made to the Government in your report and those made by the Senior Coroner for Plymouth, Torbay and South Devon and the IOPC. The consultation is to invite responses to the recommendations that have been made and on which we are consulting. However, if we decide that new legislation is necessary in response to any of the recommendations, we will bring forward a further consultation on the specific Government proposals on legislation, accompanied by assessments of the impact of those changes on all those potentially affected.