New guidance to police forces to remove unnecessary conditions on the use of lawful firearms has been welcomed by the UK’s largest shooting organisation, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC).
Andy Marsh, Chief Constable of Hampshire and the lead in firearms licensing issues for the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) has sent new guidance to English & Welsh police forces about the use of conditions on firearm certificates.
Currently some police forces in England and Wales restrict licensed firearms to specific quarry. Under these conditions someone authorised to use a large calibre rifle for shooting deer could break the law if they shoot a fox. Chief Constable Marsh has suggested that forces allow certificate holders to shoot any lawful quarry on land where they are authorised to shoot.
Chief Constable Marsh has also advised police forces to re-examine conditions which can require a certificate holder to be accompanied by a mentor during shooting trips. He recommends that training courses offered by organisations such as BASC would be a better solution if an applicant needs more experience.
Mike Eveleigh, senior firearms officer at BASC said: “One of the most common complaints that we deal with on behalf of our members is difficulties with conditions on firearm certificates. We have been negotiating for years to get unnecessary, bureaucratic and unenforceable conditions removed. This is a common-sense and helpful move by Chief Constable Marsh and his staff."
BASC members who believe they have unnecessary conditions on their firearm certificate are advised to contact the BASC firearms department on 01244 573010 for advice. ENDS
For more information please call the BASC press office on 01244 573052.