Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 25
25
Deferred
Amongst other requirements as part of the licensing process, applicants must give the police character...
Conclusion
Amongst other requirements as part of the licensing process, applicants must give the police character references from two referees who must have known them for at least two years81 and be “of good character”.82 Police will contact at least one referee - whether by telephone, e-mail or home visit.83 Licence holders may change their referees between their original application and renewal. We have heard about several issues with the referee system, as it stands, which have been raised in written and oral evidence.
Government Response Summary
The government is consulting on possible changes to the role and participation of referees in the firearms licensing process, as similar issues were raised by the IOPC and in Prevention of Future Deaths reports.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
With regard to the Committee’s recommendations around the review of referees in the firearms licensing process, it is worth noting that similar issues were raised by both the IOPC and in the Prevention of Future Deaths reports issued by the Senior Coroner for Plymouth, Torbay and South Devon. You will see that we are now consulting on possible changes to the role and participation of referees in the firearms licensing process.