Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 6
6
Accepted in Part
Paragraph: 35
We recommend that the UK Government change the statutory guidance on firearms licensing to more...
Recommendation
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.
Government Response Summary
The government will seek views in a consultation paper on interviewing partners and household members with a record or allegations of violence, and will look at clarifying advice on domestic abuse, with the intention to publish a further version of the Statutory Guidance by the end of 2023.
Paragraph Reference:
35
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
You will see that we are seeking views in the accompanying consultation paper on the recommendations made in respect of interviewing partners and household members of those certificate holders or applicants with a record of violence or subject to allegations of violence. The Government will also look again at making the advice on domestic abuse clearer and emphasise the need to interview partners, relatives, and possibly former partners, if there are allegations of domestic abuse against the certificate holder/applicant. The intention is to publish a further version of the Statutory Guidance by the end of 2023.