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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