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BASC fights huge firearms licence fee hike

BASC says it is fighting proposals for a huge jump in the cost of firearm certificate fees in Northern Ireland currently being considered by the Northern Ireland Assembly’s Justice Committee.

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Draft consultation documents have proposed a 140% increase in the cost of a certificate, which would rise from £50 to £120, and a 365% increase in the cost of a firearms dealer?s certificate, which would increase from £150 to £697.

BASC Northern Ireland?s Tommy Mayne said he was opposed to any increase in licensing fees without a ?full, independent, transparent and public review? of firearms licensing processes.

He said: ?While there is no denying that processing times have improved dramatically over the past 18 months or so, our licensing system is far from perfect and these very substantial increases come at a time when there are added difficulties as a result of the economic climate.?