Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 90
90
Accepted in Part
For this reason, it may be advisable to set up more formal ‘buddy’ initiatives within...
Conclusion
For this reason, it may be advisable to set up more formal ‘buddy’ initiatives within shooting organisations. This could involve each member of a shooting organisation having a ‘buddy’ with whom they check in regularly - allowing buddies to notice any changes in each other’s mental health in a timely manner, and escalate any concerns.
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.