I wrote (or, more accurately, I forwarded on a pre-worded email from one of the orgs. - I forget which) to my MP at the beginning of the Month. Primarily to express concern about the government's plans to align S1 and S2 firearm licensing. My concern being that they'll do so without consultation and based on the opinions of people with no idea what they're talking about.
Anyway, he wrote back to me today.
"Thank you for contacting me about firearms licensing and safety.
Firstly, I think it is important for me to be transparent that I am a firearms license holder and also the Chair of the British Shooting Council. Therefore, these issues are of great interest to me and are something that I regularly engage with stakeholders – such as Ministers – on. Indeed, the specific issue (and solution) you raise was discussed at great length during a meeting with the Policing Minister and members of the APPG for Shooting and Conservation on 10th June, so I know the relevant representations are being made.
On the issue more broadly though...
As you will know, the previous Government decided, before publishing a consultation in 2023, not to seek views on the recommendations to align shotgun and firearms legislation. This decision was based on the fact that shotguns are already subject to significant controls and have important uses in farming and leisure pursuits.
The current Government intends to issue a new consultation on aligning the controls on shotguns with those on other firearms and plans to publish it later this year.
It is undeniably important to uphold public safety, which is why shotguns are already subject to strict controls. They play a key role in helping farmers control vermin on their land and are also used in various rural pursuits. Therefore, I believe that additional controls on shotguns are unnecessary and would negatively impact their legitimate use. This change in policy is yet another example of the Government failing to recognise the needs of rural communities.
I hope they listen carefully to rural communities during the consultation, consider processes that may make the system more efficient and safe, while also ensuring that the proposed restrictions do not place a significant burden on the vast majority of law-abiding shotgun owners. Having a single, centralised firearms licensing body could achieve this, so please let me reassure that I will continue to raise this point with the Policing Minister to ensure all options are considered.
I hope this is helpful and thanks again for contacting me about this issue. I wish you all the best.
Kind regards,
Mark
Office of Mark Garnier OBE MP"
Anyway, he wrote back to me today.
"Thank you for contacting me about firearms licensing and safety.
Firstly, I think it is important for me to be transparent that I am a firearms license holder and also the Chair of the British Shooting Council. Therefore, these issues are of great interest to me and are something that I regularly engage with stakeholders – such as Ministers – on. Indeed, the specific issue (and solution) you raise was discussed at great length during a meeting with the Policing Minister and members of the APPG for Shooting and Conservation on 10th June, so I know the relevant representations are being made.
On the issue more broadly though...
As you will know, the previous Government decided, before publishing a consultation in 2023, not to seek views on the recommendations to align shotgun and firearms legislation. This decision was based on the fact that shotguns are already subject to significant controls and have important uses in farming and leisure pursuits.
The current Government intends to issue a new consultation on aligning the controls on shotguns with those on other firearms and plans to publish it later this year.
It is undeniably important to uphold public safety, which is why shotguns are already subject to strict controls. They play a key role in helping farmers control vermin on their land and are also used in various rural pursuits. Therefore, I believe that additional controls on shotguns are unnecessary and would negatively impact their legitimate use. This change in policy is yet another example of the Government failing to recognise the needs of rural communities.
I hope they listen carefully to rural communities during the consultation, consider processes that may make the system more efficient and safe, while also ensuring that the proposed restrictions do not place a significant burden on the vast majority of law-abiding shotgun owners. Having a single, centralised firearms licensing body could achieve this, so please let me reassure that I will continue to raise this point with the Policing Minister to ensure all options are considered.
I hope this is helpful and thanks again for contacting me about this issue. I wish you all the best.
Kind regards,
Mark
Office of Mark Garnier OBE MP"
