Minister maintains there is no ‘anti-gun agenda’

Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson has attempted to reassure the shooting community that the government has no anti-gun agenda. This followed questioning at a meeting with the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on shooting and conservation on 16 June.

Dame Diana claimed to acknowledge the importance of firearms and shotgun ownership to the rural economy, farming, sport and local communities.

She insisted there are no plans to ban the home storage of legally held firearms and shotguns by certificate holders. She said she was unaware of where such anti-gun ideas had originated. But many in the shooting community remain unconvinced, given Labour’s historical stance on firearms.

On licensing fees, Dame Diana said these would be kept under constant review and will increase with inflation. And yet more concerning for the UK’s shooters, she confirmed that consultation would follow on raising shotgun licensing standards. She said these would be aligned with the more stringent firearms licensing requirements.

Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP, APPG chairman and BASC vice-president, was cautious, noting “there is still a lot of work to be done”. BASC’s communications director Christopher Graffius emphasised the organisation would “continue to put pressure on the Home Office” through upcoming consultations – suggesting the battle for shooters’ rights is far from over, despite the minister’s assurances.

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