Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 94
94
Accepted in Part
We recommend that the UK Government and Scottish Government encourage and support the creation of...
Recommendation
We recommend that the UK Government and Scottish Government encourage and support the creation of ‘buddy’ initiatives for firearms owners. Buddy initiatives could be integrated into shooting organisations, workplaces and sporting clubs. Buddy initiatives would enable individuals to recognise and raise concerns about changes in their buddies’ mental health. This would formalise existing informal arrangements within shooting organisations and clubs. Supporting shooting organisations in advertising mental health services
Government Response Summary
The government is consulting on 'buddy' initiatives and will work with 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.
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.