Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 68
68
Rejected
The differences between firearms and shotgun legislation extend beyond obtaining licences - there are also...
Conclusion
The differences between firearms and shotgun legislation extend beyond obtaining licences - there are also differences related to revoking licences. Superintendent Duncan stated that: “if you lose your good reason to possess a firearm, we are empowered to withdraw your certificate. However, the same cannot be said for shotguns: if you no longer have a good reason, it would need to be on the grounds of public safety”.174 167 Scottish Government, Air weapon licensing in Scotland: a guide, accessed 12 December 2022 168 Q116 169 Q116 170 Q116 171 Q116 172 GOV.UK, Shotgun and firearms certificates, accessed 9 December 2022 173 Q129 174 Q116 Firearms licensing regulations in Scotland 23 He called this “a bit of a gap in the legislation”.175
Government Response Summary
The government has decided not to proceed with aligning shotgun and firearms legislation, citing the importance of shotguns for farmers and rural pursuits and expressing concern that additional controls are unnecessary and would negatively impact legitimate use, but will keep it under review.
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.