Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 66
66
Rejected
Superintendent Steven Duncan, Head of National Firearms and Explosives Licensing for Police Scotland, told us...
Conclusion
Superintendent Steven Duncan, Head of National Firearms and Explosives Licensing for Police Scotland, told us that, to obtain firearms licences, “you have been deemed to be fit to be entrusted, that you have had good reason for the possession of the firearm, and that that possession would be without danger to public safety”.169 By contrast, to obtain shotgun licences, Superintendent Duncan told us that “you still need to have good reason, but the only other additional requirement is that there is no additional risk in terms of public safety”.170 Moreover, Superintendent Duncan stated that even “the onus to demonstrate good reason for a firearm sits with the applicant, whereas, with the shotgun legislation, the onus is on the police to show that there is not good reason”.171
Government Response Summary
The government decided not to proceed with the recommendations made to align shotgun and firearms legislation due to the fact that shotguns are already subject to significant controls and they are important in helping farmers control vermin on their land and in rural pursuits.
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
The Committee recommended changes to legislation to align the requirements for shotguns and firearms. Public safety is our priority, but the measures to manage the risk to public safety must be proportionate and balanced with the fact that the vast majority of licensed firearms holders are law abiding and cause no concern. It is for this reason that the Government has decided not to proceed with the recommendations made to align shotgun and firearms legislation. Shotguns are already subject to significant controls on their use and they are important in helping farmers control vermin on their land and in rural pursuits. We will keep this under review, but we are concerned that additional controls on shotguns are unnecessary and would have a negative impact on their legitimate use.