The Scottish Affairs Select Committee - Report on firearms licensing regulations in Scotland.

Firearms licensing regulations in Scotland (parliament.uk)

The Scottish Affairs Select Committee today published its report on firearms licensing regulations in Scotland.  Fraser Lamb, the SACS firearms licensing advisor gave evidence to the committee reflecting the views of a number of shooting organisations in Scotland with Dr Colin Shedden, the BASC Scotland Director.

The report closes with a number of conclusions and recommendations, under three broad headings.

The cost of firearms licensing.

In essence, the committee believed it was desirable to move towards a situation where those people seeking a certificate pay a fee to cover the cost of the process that it involves.  This is already under examination by the Home Office.  The Committee proposed that there should be a two tier fee – one for those involved in shooting for work purposes and another for those involved in leisure purposes. 

We believe this will be extremely difficult to manage and will lobby against it. 

Raising concerns.

The Committee raised a number of matters for review including the means by which concerns are highlighted in respect of the welfare of certificate holders and the role of referees.  They asked the Home Office to conduct a number of reviews into such matters. 

We will endeavour to actively engage with these reviews.

Medical Assessments.

The committee believed that the GP marker system could be strengthened to make it is effective as possible.

The report is not long, 36 pages not including appendices etc.  It is strongly recommended that you read it as it provides context to what was considered and what led to the recommendations.  Whilst we, as those who use guns and follow pursuits which involve shooting, will likely have a view in respect of some aspects of this reports, others may have a differing view and it is important to understand that in order that effective arguments can be marshalled to minimize the impacts upon those who legitimately use firearms.

Should you want to add your voice to these arguments, please don’t hesitate to contact the office to help us.

Fraser Lamb