Recommendation 6

We recommend that the UK Government change the statutory guidance on firearms licensing to more strongly recommend that police forces involve present and former conjugal partners in the application and renewal process. Echoing the system used in Canada, this could involve police interviewing individual’s present and former conjugal partners as a routine part of firearms licence applications and renewals, to confirm that the individual is suitable to own firearms. While this option may be a helpful addition to the firearms licensing process, it is not without risk. We heard that pressure to provide a partner with a positive reference might aggravate domestic violence. It would also place an additional burden on police resources. We urge the UK Government to consider those risks and to put in place safeguards where appropriate.