Recommendation 24

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