new firearms review

[the running man]

http://www.parliament.uk/business/committe...rearms-control/ ---------------------------On 15 July, the Home Affairs Committee announced a new inquiry into firearms control. The Committee will examine whether or not there is a need for changes to the way in which firearms and/or shotgun certificates are issued, monitored or reviewed as a means of preventing gun violence. In particular the inquiry will focus on: * The extent to which legally-held guns are used in criminal activity and the relationship between gun control and gun crime, including the impact of the Firearms (Amendment) Acts 1997;* Whether or not the current laws governing firearms licensing are fit for purpose, including progress on implementing the Committee's recommendations set out in its Second Report of the 1999-2000 session;* Proposals to improve information-sharing between medics and the police in respect of gun licensing;* Information-sharing between police and prisons in assessing the risk of offenders who may have access to firearms; and* The danger presented by, and legislation regulating, airguns. The Committee is seeking written submissions of no more than 2,500 words from interested parties, before it takes oral evidence on this inquiry. Organisations and individuals interested in making written submissions are invited to do so by Friday 27th August 2010. Further advice on making a submission can be found below. Oral evidence sessions will be held on Tuesdays in the autumn: further announcements will be made in due course. Rt Hon Keith Vaz MP, Chair of the Committee, said: In the light of the recent tragic shootings in Cumbria and in Northumberland, the Committee wishes to examine the legislation governing firearms. It will seek to determine whether there are lessons to be learnt 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.

[Christopher Graffius]

BASC will be producing a guide for shooters to help you submit your evidence to the Committee. This should be up on our website within a week.

 

BASC will also be submitting it's own evidence in detail and we will publish that as soon as it's completed.

 

The good news is that there will not be a debate on the West Cumbrian murders before parliament rises for the summer recess. This is despite the Home Secretary saying that a debate would be held in her statement aftger the killings. I expect a debate to be held in the autumn after the police repoorts are available.

 

Christopher

[wymberley]

BASC will be producing a guide for shooters to help you submit your evidence to the Committee. This should be up on our website within a week.

 

BASC will also be submitting it's own evidence in detail and we will publish that as soon as it's completed.

 

The good news is that there will not be a debate on the West Cumbrian murders before parliament rises for the summer recess. This is despite the Home Secretary saying that a debate would be held in her statement aftger the killings. I expect a debate to be held in the autumn after the police repoorts are available.

 

Christopher

Christopher, good morning.

Just trying to be fair here. Chatty chit from my MP landed on the doormat this morning. As a result I was thinking of sticking on a post but RM's info has made it unnecessary. The MP's note was a covering letter for an enclosure from the Home Office (James Brokenshire MP). This, in part, referred to Theresa May's statement which I've just re-read. Please also re-read it and I think you'll find (unless she made more than one which politicians tend to do and we are talking about different ones) that her remark about the summer recess related to simply arranging for MPs to make their input (words to that effect) before that time.

Cheers

[Christopher Graffius]

Wymberley,

 

When I met the civil servants at the Home Office on 15th June they were preparing for a debate before recess. When we questioned the advisability of this on the basis that we wouldn't have the police reports and the state of knowledge would be no greater than the morning after the event we were told that a debate was inevitable because the Home Secretary had given an undertaking to the House, and that the report on licensing might be available. We've been preparing on that basis.

 

Of course, situations change and Ministers ought to have just the same ability as we all do to change arrangements depending on what is most sensible.

 

From a shooting point of view I wasn't looking forward to a speculative debate on Cumbria. The more the dust is allowed to settle the better chance that good decisions will be made.

 

Christopher

[Highlander]

Whilst we need to be cautious about any new legislation affecting guns we should take heart that we now have what so far appears to be one of the most sensible governments we've had in many a year. Keep an eye on proceedings and comment but lets not judge too early in the process.

[Breastman]

http://www.parliament.uk/business/committe...rearms-control/ ---------------------------On 15 July, the Home Affairs Committee announced a new inquiry into firearms control. The Committee will examine whether or not there is a need for changes to the way in which firearms and/or shotgun certificates are issued, monitored or reviewed as a means of preventing gun violence. In particular the inquiry will focus on: * The extent to which legally-held guns are used in criminal activity and the relationship between gun control and gun crime, including the impact of the Firearms (Amendment) Acts 1997;*

 

Chris - Are BASC going to be looking to present evidence on this inparticular? i.e. To push for the return of pistol shooting in mainland UK, at the very least .22lr's in clubs?

 

BTW Anyone got a hyperlink to the FCC Second report also mentioned??

 

Cheers

 

Mark

Edited July 20, 2010 by Breastman

[wymberley]

Wymberley,

 

When I met the civil servants at the Home Office on 15th June they were preparing for a debate before recess. When we questioned the advisability of this on the basis that we wouldn't have the police reports and the state of knowledge would be no greater than the morning after the event we were told that a debate was inevitable because the Home Secretary had given an undertaking to the House, and that the report on licensing might be available. We've been preparing on that basis.

 

Of course, situations change and Ministers ought to have just the same ability as we all do to change arrangements depending on what is most sensible.

 

From a shooting point of view I wasn't looking forward to a speculative debate on Cumbria. The more the dust is allowed to settle the better chance that good decisions will be made.

 

Christopher

Chistopher, thankyou. Your final two sentences make perfect sense. When politicians clearly state one thing and the civil servants another, we come back to the old question of who the hell is actually running the country. To misquote the old school motto, it's all verba non facto. A lot less of the one and a little more of the other would benefit us all.

I'm pretty sure that you'll already know this but just for info for everyone else: The Cumbria Constabulary's investigation is three pronged; Firearms licensing - they will review the file and procedure adoted in relation to the cerificates granted to th gunman, Firearms response - they will look at the police use of firearms and the police response and resources available to deploy at the scene and finally, Firearms tactics and manual - this will follow from the conclusion of the first two reviews.

Cheers

[Christopher Graffius]

Yes, Breastman, BASC will be presenting evidence in response to all the questions asked by the HAC and highlighting the nonsense of the '97 Act.

 

Christopher