Firearms licensing regulations in Scotland

Scottish Affairs Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 23 Sep 2022 Closed: 17 Oct 2023 Parliament page
Firearms licensing regulations in Scotland The Committee will be inquiring into firearms licensing regulations and their impact in Scotland. We want to hear about whether current arrangements around firearms licenses are appropriate, or whether changes to those arrangements (including legislation) should be made. Read the call for evidence for more … Read more
27 Recommendations
75 Conclusions
1 Report
3 Oral sessions
5 Letters
4 Events
Activity timeline 14 events
5 Jul
2023
Report published
16 May
2023
Correspondence
21 Feb
2023
Correspondence
7 Feb
2023
Correspondence
22 Dec
2022
Report published
19 Dec
2022
Correspondence
19 Dec
2022
Formal meeting (private meeting) · Room 16, Palace of Westminster
6 Dec
2022
Correspondence
21 Nov
2022
Oral evidence
21 Nov
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster
31 Oct
2022
Oral evidence
31 Oct
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 15, Palace of Westminster
Oral evidence sessions 3 sessions
21 Nov 2022
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Nick Hunt · Home Office Rt Hon Chris Philp MP · Home Office
31 Oct 2022
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Assistant Chief Constable Alan Speirs · Police Scotland Jamie MacQueen · Scottish Government Keith Brown MSP · Scottish Government Paul Allen · Scottish Government Superintendent Steven Duncan · Police Scotland
24 Oct 2022
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Dr Colin Shedden · British Association for Shooting and Conservation Dr Michael North · Gun Control Network Fraser Lamb · Scottish Association for Country Sports Gordon Matheson · Free Church of Scotland
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Third Report - Firearms licensing regulations in Scotland HC 710 22 Dec 2022 102 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
7 results
Clear
65 Conclusion Rejected
Third Report - Firearms licensing …
There are differences in requirements which applicants must meet, in order to obtain firearms licences...
There are differences in requirements which applicants must meet, in order to obtain firearms licences and shotgun licences. Although legislation related to air weapons is devolved167, Superintendent Duncan told us that “the air weapons test is effectively the same test … Read more
Government Response
The government has decided not to proceed with the recommendations made to align shotgun and firearms legislation, stating that shotguns are already subject to significant controls and that additional controls are unnecessary and would have a negative impact on their legitimate use; but the government will keep this under review.
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66 Conclusion Rejected
Third Report - Firearms licensing …
Superintendent Steven Duncan, Head of National Firearms and Explosives Licensing for Police Scotland, told us...
Superintendent Steven Duncan, Head of National Firearms and Explosives Licensing for Police Scotland, told us that, to obtain firearms licences, “you have been deemed to be fit to be entrusted, that you have had good reason for the possession of … Read more
Government Response
The government decided not to proceed with the recommendations made to align shotgun and firearms legislation due to the fact that shotguns are already subject to significant controls and they are important in helping farmers control vermin on their land and in rural pursuits.
Scotland Office
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67 Conclusion Rejected
Third Report - Firearms licensing …
Additionally, the number of referees required to obtain firearms licences is higher than for shotgun...
Additionally, the number of referees required to obtain firearms licences is higher than for shotgun licences.172 Superintendent Duncan told us that “For a firearm application you are required to provide two referees, for a shotgun application, you are required to … Read more
Government Response
The government has decided not to proceed with the recommendations to align shotgun and firearms legislation, stating that shotguns are already subject to controls and additional controls are unnecessary.
Scotland Office
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68 Conclusion Rejected
Third Report - Firearms licensing …
The differences between firearms and shotgun legislation extend beyond obtaining licences - there are also...
The differences between firearms and shotgun legislation extend beyond obtaining licences - there are also differences related to revoking licences. Superintendent Duncan stated that: “if you lose your good reason to possess a firearm, we are empowered to withdraw your … Read more
Government Response
The government has decided not to proceed with aligning shotgun and firearms legislation, citing the importance of shotguns for farmers and rural pursuits and expressing concern that additional controls are unnecessary and would negatively impact legitimate use, but will keep it under review.
Scotland Office
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69 Conclusion Rejected
Third Report - Firearms licensing …
Rt Hon.
Rt Hon. Chris Philp MP, Minister for Crime, Policing and Fire for the Home Office, stated that “the test is set differently … [because] there are many people particularly in rural communities, and including across Scotland as much as anywhere … Read more
Government Response
The government has decided not to proceed with the recommendations made to align shotgun and firearms legislation, citing public safety balanced with the fact that most licensed firearms holders are law abiding and the importance of shotguns for farmers and rural pursuits.
Scotland Office
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70 Recommendation Rejected
Third Report - Firearms licensing …
Police and officials pointed out the inconsistencies between firearms and shotgun licensing requirements, as described...
Police and officials pointed out the inconsistencies between firearms and shotgun licensing requirements, as described in legislation. To resolve these inconsistencies, they were clear that shotgun licensing requirements ought to be brought into line with licensing requirements for firearms and … Read more
Government Response
The government has decided not to proceed with the recommendations made to align shotgun and firearms legislation, arguing that shotguns are already subject to significant controls and additional controls are unnecessary.
Scotland Office
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71 Recommendation Rejected
Third Report - Firearms licensing …
We recommend that the UK Government make the the legislation related to shotgun licences consistent...
We recommend that the UK Government make the the legislation related to shotgun licences consistent with legislation related to firearms and air weapon licences. We recommend that the UK Government change shotgun licence legislation to require people applying for shotgun … Read more
Government Response
The government has decided not to proceed with the recommendations made to align shotgun and firearms legislation, citing public safety balanced with the fact that most licensed firearms holders are law abiding and the importance of shotguns for farmers and rural pursuits.
Scotland Office
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Government Response AI assessment · 102 of 27 classified
Accepted 4
Accepted in Part 12
Acknowledged 30
Deferred 48
Not Addressed 1
Rejected 7
Total 27 recs + 75 conclusions
Correspondence 5 letters
16 May 2023 To committee Letter from Rt Hon Chris Philp MP, Minister of State for Crime, Policing and Fire at the Home Office on firearms licensing regulations in Scotland, dated 5 May 2023.
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21 Feb 2023 To committee Letter from the Rt Hon Chris Philp MP, Minister of State for Crime, Policing and Fire at the Home Office on the publication of the first revision of the Statutory Guidance for Chief Officers of Police on firearms licensing, dated 9 February 2023
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7 Feb 2023 To committee Letter from Rt Hon Chris Philp MP, Minister of State for Crime, Policing and Fire at the Home Office on firearms licensing regulations in Scotland, dated 30 January 2023
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19 Dec 2022 To committee Letter from Humza Yousaf MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care at Scottish Government on follow-up to evidence session on 31 October 2022 on Firearms licensing regulations in Scotland, dated 12 December 2022
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6 Dec 2022 To committee Letter from the Minister of State for Crime, Policing and Fire, the Rt Hon Chris Philp MP in follow up to his appearance at the Scottish Affairs Select Committee inquiry into Firearms licensing on 21 November, dated 30 Nov 2022
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