Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 50
50
Deferred
So that concerns can be raised at the earliest opportunity, Reverend Gordon Matheson suggested that...
Conclusion
So that concerns can be raised at the earliest opportunity, Reverend Gordon Matheson suggested that people seeking a reference should need to provide potential referees with their unique application reference number.132 This would mean that, if someone has concerns about an application which is in the process of being made, “their concerns can be relayed in connection to the reference for the application that is being made”.133 Having a unique reference number related to a specific application could be useful at any stage of the licensing process - whether someone has concerns on being asked for a reference, or whether they develop concerns after a firearms licence has been granted.
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 the Senior Coroner for Plymouth, Torbay and South Devon.
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.