Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 57
57
Acknowledged
Various commentators have pointed out the disadvantages of shortening the renewal period.
Conclusion
Various commentators have pointed out the disadvantages of shortening the renewal period. The Home Affairs Committee concluded in its 2010 report, Firearms control, that it had not “seen any evidence to suggest that there has been an increase in misuse of lethal firearms since the period was increased from three years in 1995”147, and concluded that “We are not convinced by arguments put forward in favour of decreasing the licence renewal period from five to two years”.148 The Committee further concluded that “decreasing the licence renewal period… would place considerable pressure on police resources”.149 Some witnesses to our inquiry came to similar conclusions. Superintendent Steven Duncan, Head of National Firearms and Explosives Licensing for Police Scotland, estimated that shortening the renewal period would “double the demand placed on the firearms licensing system”150, while the British Association for Shooting and Conservation stated that “[r]educing the term of certificates to 2 or 3 years would place an additional and unnecessary burden on the police”.151
Government Response Summary
The government has noted the Committee’s recommendation that the current renewal period of five years remain in place but that it should be kept under review and is seeking views on this issue in the consultation paper.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The UK Government has noted the Committee’s recommendation that the current renewal period of five years remain in place but that it should be kept under review. As you will see, we are seeking views on this issue in the consultation paper.