new inquiry into firearms control

[Guest Leveller]

Members of the shooting community have until 27th August to make submissions to a new inquiry into firearms control, set up by the Home Affairs Select Committee in the wake of the Cumbria shootings. We already have serious concerns that this inquiry has been set up before the results of the Cumbrian Police investigation have been announced, but we cannot simply ignore it. The Countryside Alliance will be making a full and robust response.

 

The one million people who are licensed to shoot in the UK take their responsibilities in owning and using legal firearms incredibly seriously, and we are confident that their common sense approach will be represented to the Committee. We will continue to work with the Government and relevant authorities to ensure that events like that which occurred in Cumbria are even less likely, but we should all make it clear that now is not the time for kneejerk legislation which has no effect whatsoever on reducing gun crime. As the Prime Minister observed, you cannot legislate for a switch flicking in someone's head.

 

The Committee, chaired by Keith Vaz MP, will examine whether or not there is a need for changes to the way in which firearms and/or shotgun certificates are issued, monitored or reviewed as a means of preventing gun violence. In particular the inquiry will focus on the extent to which legally-held guns are used in criminal activity and the relationship between gun control and gun crime, including the impact of the Firearms (Amendment) Acts 1997; whether or not the current laws governing firearms licensing are fit for purpose; proposals to improve information-sharing between medics and the police in respect of gun licensing; information-sharing between police and prisons in assessing the risk of offenders who may have access to firearms and the danger presented by, and legislation regulating, airguns.

 

Shooting is worth £1.6 billion to the UK economy, supporting the equivalent of 70,000 jobs and shooters spend £250 million a year on habitat and wildlife management. Those who play a part in this are not the criminals. We cannot turn the clock back to take away what happened in Cumbria on that dreadful day, but we can make our case calmly and with common sense; now is not time for over-reaction, but for proceeding on the facts - and everyone who shoots should help to provide those facts.

 

You can respond via email to homeaffcom@parliament.uk or in writing to

Home Affairs Committee

House of Commons

7 Millbank

London SW1P 3JA

Telephone 020 7219 3276

 

The Committee is seeking written submissions of no more than 2,500 words from interested parties, before it takes oral evidence on this inquiry. Organisations and individuals interested in making written submissions are invited to do so by Friday 27th August 2010.

 

Go to www.shooting-alliance.org.uk for more information on our shooting campaign and on Countryside Alliance work following the shootings in Cumbria.