Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 88
88
Accepted in Part
We heard concerns that firearms owners might not inform authority figures that they are suffering...
Conclusion
We heard concerns that firearms owners might not inform authority figures that they are suffering from poor mental health for fear of repercussions. For example, Dr Michael North, a founding member of the Gun Control Network, stated that firearms licence holders “will not consult with a GP or anybody else for fear that they might lose their 211 Mr Andy Spence (FLR0006) 212 British Shooting Sports Council (FLR0010) 213 Anonymised (FLR0004) 214 Q83 215 Dr John Thorogood (FLR0005) 216 Q221 28 Firearms licensing regulations in Scotland licence”217, and Fraser Lamb, Firearms Licensing Adviser for the Scottish Association for Country Sports, told us that “[t]he myth is that if you went to your doctor with a mental health problem, the police will take your guns away from you”.218
Government Response Summary
The government is consulting on the 'buddy' initiatives recommendation and is working with police and shooting bodies to define the role of gun club liaison officers, intending to explore whether this model can be applied more widely to other shooting clubs.
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
The UK Government is consulting on the recommendation made by the Committee in relation to ‘buddy’ initiatives. The Home Office has already been working with representatives of the police and shooting representative bodies to bring greater definition to the role of gun club liaison officers for a similar purpose. Gun clubs wishing to allow target shooting by members who do not hold a personal firearm certificate are only allowed to do so if approved by the Home Office in England and Wales, or by the Scottish Government in the case of clubs in Scotland. We are now intending to work with the police and shooting bodies to highlight the revised role for gun club liaison officers, and then explore whether and how this model might be applied more widely to other shooting clubs.