Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 93
93
Accepted
Encouraging shooting organisations to have formal buddy initiatives may also create spaces in which firearms...
Conclusion
Encouraging shooting organisations to have formal buddy initiatives may also create spaces in which firearms licence holders feel comfortable with discussing their mental health. This could be an important way to help improve individuals’ mental health, so that it does not become problematic for them or for public safety - the Mental Health Foundation states that “just talking things through with a person we trust can help”.227 This is especially relevant for groups of people who are more likely to use firearms for work or leisure. Dr Shedden told us that there is a “long-standing belief that men in particular [are] reluctant to discuss health issues, especially mental health issues, and it is predominantly men who have firearms in society in Scotland and in Great Britain”.228
Government Response Summary
The government has been working with the police and shooting representative bodies to bring greater definition to the role of gun club liaison officers and intends to highlight this revised role and explore whether this model might be applied more widely to other shooting clubs.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
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.