A Christmas Message from the NRA

[Christel]

As you are aware a Commons debate on Firearms issues related to the tragedies in Cumbria and Northumberland took place on Monday 20 December 2010.

During the course of the debate three key issues emerged that seemed to gain general approval from the Government side as matters to look at:

a. Young people – a unified or simplified age for possession and/or use – In relation to young people the NRA view is that there should be no set age for when children are allowed to shoot under supervision and if it is thought necessary to introduce an age related requirement it should be ten (the minimum age for criminal responsibility) for issue of a Shotgun/Firearms Certificate.

b. Increased police/GP liaison over certificates – The NRA have expressed concern as to how firearms users details will be safeguarded on the current NHS IT system, when considering the number of staff that would have access to such information. In addition we had concerns as to how the requirement was going to work operationally. ACPO and the Home Office are currently considering another less bureaucratic option.

c. Having one certificate for S1 & 2 firearms – The current proposal will make life less onerous for those individuals who need to renew firearms and shotgun certificates. However, those who purely hold a shotgun certificate will potentially find that they have to meet additional requirements, similar to those for firearms certificate holders in terms of referees and ‘good reason’. The NRA has stated that it does not support the effective reclassification of shotguns as Section 1 because of the potential for increased administration placed upon the Police and the consequential delays dealing with new applications or renewals.

d. Increased FAC Charges – Linked to the previous point the NRA are of the opinion that the Government should look at the possibility of removing responsibility for Firearms Licensing from the Police by centralising it. In this way shooters would experience a more consistent approach and potential for a better more efficient service at a reduced cost.



To read either the full Hansard report on the debate or the executive summary of the debate from David Penn the Secretary of BSSC please go the NRA website.



Finally the NRA wishes to assure you that it will endeavour to continue to represent your views and keep you fully informed as issues progress. It would be wrong at this stage to get complacent and ‘take our eye off the bull’.



The NRA wishes you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.



Glynn Alger