NGO responds to the government's firearms licensing consultation

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In August 2023, the government launched an eight-week consultation, seeking views on proposed changes to firearms licensing. Last week, the Government published its response to this 2023 consultation; a response which recommends a number of changes to the current firearms licensing regime, as well as calling for the consultation to be reopened.

Having read the Government response, the NGO firearms officers have written to the Policing Minister, Dame Diana Johnson. We have deep concerns with two of the proposals; namely the proposals to align the controls on shotguns with those of other firearms, and the decision to grant police forces the power to conduct unannounced home visits to firearm and shotgun certificate holders.

We believe that the proposal to license shotguns in the same manner as rifles would impose significant and unjustified burdens on legitimate gun owners, and would add significantly to the workload of already critically overloaded police staff. The measures would not only make gun ownership more restrictive, expensive and bureaucratic, but would also adversely affect a sector that contributes £3.3 billion to the economy and supports tens of thousands of jobs, many in rural areas.

We also believe that the proposal to allow the police non-magistrate warranted access to conduct unannounced home visits represents a significant erosion of civil liberties. Furthermore, this undermines the trust between the shooting community and law enforcement agencies.

Some of the proposals put forward are, we believe, acceptable. These include the requirement of two references for shotgun certificate applications.  

The NGO also proposed to the Policing Minister that the certificate period being extended to 10 years to relieve the workload on police, and the mandating of GP engagement with the ongoing management of health conditions that are currently listed in the statutory guidance.

Lastly, we agree with the coroner for the Keyham Shootings inquest, who called for the placing on digital markers on medical records to be compulsory and available to all medical health professionals.

The NGO have urged the government to reconsider these proposals, and asked that they engage in meaningful dialogue with stakeholders to ensure that any changes to firearms legislation are evidence-based and proportionate.

When the new consultation is opened, we believe it is vital that as many of our members as possible respond to it, so that the government receive a true picture of what is needed. We will keep you updated on this timeline. The Government’s response to the 2023 consultation can be read in full here.

Note to Editors:

The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation: The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation (NGO) represents the gamekeepers of England and Wales. The NGO defends and promotes gamekeeping and gamekeepers and works to ensure high standards throughout the profession. The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation was founded in 1997 by a group of gamekeepers who felt that keepering was threatened by public misunderstanding and poor representation. Today, the organisation has around 13,000 members.
www.nationalgamekeepers.org.uk