New Home Affairs firearms inquiry

Keith Vaz MP has tabled an EDM calling for a review of under-18 year olds having firearms

By Joe Dimbleby

Thursday, 29 July 2010

The Home Affairs Select Committee announces a far-reaching review of gun legislation after Cumbria shootings

Shooters have only until 27 August to make submissions to the Home Affairs Select Committee inquiry into firearms control. The committee, which was set up in response to the recent Cumbria and Northumberland killings, will examine whether there is a need for change in the way firearms and shotgun certificates are issued and reviewed. The committee chair, Keith Vaz MP, said: “The committee will seek to determine whether there are lessons to be learned from recent events, including the role of doctors and criminal justice agencies in liaising with police to assess the risk posed by individuals. We also want to be certain that our gun laws are clear, transparent and enforceable.”

On the same day that the select committee inquiry was announced, Keith Vaz MP tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) urging the Government to review the granting of shotgun licences to under-18 year olds, drawing criticism from shooting groups.

Countryside Alliance (CA) spokesman Tim Bonner said: “On the very same day that the inquiry was announced, the committee chairman tabled a shockingly ill-informed EDM picking on young people who lawfully hold shotgun certificates.”

The rest of this article appears in 28th July issue of Shooting Times.