THE UK Government is set to consult on changes to firearms licensing regulations after the Scottish Affairs Committee recommended an overhaul.
An inquiry was opened in the wake of a tragic shooting on the Isle of Skye and concluded some improvements should be made to UK firearms licensing rules.
Dad-of-six John MacKinnon was killed in a violent attack in August last year.
Although the committee heard firearms laws in the UK are among the strictest in the world and offences are extremely rare - while Scotland’s system for processing firearms licence applications is “among the best in the UK” - members concluded there were ways to save costs, streamline rules and mitigate mental health concerns.
In its report, published in December, the cross-party committee of MPs concluded that police forces shouldn’t have to foot the bill for firearms licenses, and called for the UK Government to reform licensing fees.
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An individual firearms application can cost police forces more than £500.
The UK Government has committed to consulting on individuals who use firearms for leisure paying the full cost of their applications, and others who use firearms for work purposes could continue to have their applications partly-funded.
The Government is also consulting on recommendations made by the committee on a ‘buddy system’, enabling individuals – such as a firearms club liaison officers - to recognise and raise concerns about their ‘buddy’s’ mental health.
A review of character references required when applying for a licence was also recommended along with a review of the duration of firearms licences. The Government is consulting on both these issues.
Pete Wishart MP, chair of the Scottish Affairs Committee, said: “We’re glad to see the Government is taking forward many of our recommendations and will be consulting on further action.
“Firearms incidents can have terrible, heartbreaking effects on individuals, families and communities.
“At the end of last year, we produced a report with a series of recommendations aimed at improving the licensing of firearms, to minimise the occurrence of these awful tragedies and we’d encourage affected communities to feed thoughts into the Government’s consultation.
“We thank the Government for the considered response to our report and, as a committee, will be following progress in this area closely.”
The Government’s consultation is open until August 23 and can be accessed here.
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