Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 32
32
Deferred
The referee system has merit in protecting public safety and the peace; but we have...
Conclusion
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 92 Q34 93 Q34 94 Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Licence renewal for individuals, accessed 27 October 2022 95 Home Office, Firearms licensing: statutory guidance for Chief Officers of Police, December 2021, page 12 96 Q126 97 The Home Office’s statutory guidance for Chief Officers of Police on firearms licensing strongly emphasises the need to ensure that perpetrators of domestic abuse are not granted firearms licences. The statutory guidance states that “evidence of domestic abuse is one of the most serious factors that should be taken into consideration in assessing an application” (page 11, section 2.46). 98 Q188 99 Q188 100 Q187 101 Q193 102 Q193; A list of recognised professions accepted for countersignatories of passport applications can be found on GOV.UK, Countersigning passport applications and photos, accessed 28 November 2022 103 Q193 Firearms licensing regulations in Scotland 15 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 that he “saw no practical merit in having referees”.104
Government Response Summary
The government is consulting on possible changes to the role and participation of referees in the firearms licensing process.
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.