Select Committee on Home Affairs Minutes of Evidence



A. Government Policy on Firearms Matters

Following the tragic events at Dunblane and the public inquiry conducted by Lord Cullen, all parties agreed on the urgent need to address the control of handguns. Legislation to prohibit these weapons was subsequently enacted by Parliament in the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997 and the Firearms (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1997. The legislation quite properly concentrated on the issues surrounding the Dunblane tragedy and the recommendations of Lord Cullen's report.

The control of firearms is a complex area that requires careful consideration. Earlier this year the Firearms Consultative Committee, the independent statutory body that advises the Government on firearms matters, were asked to look at a range of firearms issues which have been raised since the legislation was enacted. The Government looks forward to the report of the Committee at the end of this year.

For this reason, this memorandum is intended to set out the main issues and arguments involved in the areas concerned rather than to press for particular changes to the law. The Government would wish to take into account the views of interested parties before deciding what further measures, if any, might be needed to improve public safety.

The Home Office has been involved in considerable work over the past few years flowing from the passage of the 1997 Firearms Acts. This includes the programme for surrender of handguns and ancillary equipment, the payment of compensation for these and the design and implementation of the Firearms Rules 1998. Although this work has taken priority, the Government has made it clear that it would be keeping all firearms controls under close scrutiny to see whether other measures are needed to safeguard the public. Inevitably there has been a period of uncertainty following the 1997 legislation. It is only now that a clearer picture is beginning to emerge of the developments which have been taking place as some people have looked for new forms of shooting in which to participate.

In terms of general principle, the Government does not have any overall objections to the use of firearms either for target shooting or for game shooting and estate management. It is certainly not the Government's aim to ban the shooting of animals within the general laws on game and wildlife. Nor has the Government any intention to prohibit outright the possession of firearms by private citizens in the UK. Ministers have made this clear on numerous occasions.

We believe that any changes to controls on firearms should flow from full and careful consideration of the issues, and in particular the need to secure public safety. On this basis, the Government welcomes the HAC inquiry, and is happy to assist its work as needed.


 
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Prepared 12 January 2000