North Wales Police and Crime Panel - "Gun laws: Restrictions call after firearm ownership data"

[Conor O'Gorman]

BASC has secured a meeting with Andy Dunbobbin PCC for North Wales Police at the end of this month in relation to statements about firearms licensing made at the 25 September 2023 meeting of the North Wales Police and Crime Panel; which were subsequently reported on by the BBC as “Gun laws: Restrictions call after firearm ownership data”. BASC's Head of Firearms Martin Parker will attend the meeting to explain the use of lawfully owned firearms and the legal framework that authorises their possession.

During the panel meeting Cllr Chris Bithell made a number of statements about firearms licensing and when responding to the councillor’s comments about the number of firearms held on each certificate, the PCC said that he would see if there was anything that could be done nationally in that regard.

To watch a video of the 25 September panel discussion (from 3 minutes onwards) click the link below.

 

This discussion at the 25 September panel meeting was prompted by a report containing answers to questions about firearms licensing that had been submitted to the PCC office in June 2023.

Click the link below for the firearms report from page 11:

https://modgovpub-eng.secure.conwy.gov.uk/documents/g9873/Public%20reports%20pack%20Monday%2025-Sep-2023%2014.00%20North%20Wales%20Police%20and%20Crime%20Panel.pdf?T=10

Edited October 4 by Conor O'Gorman

[discobob]

Please do correct them Conor - that whole segment was full of mistruth's and possibly lies (to suit a narrative) and nobody corrected Cllr Bithell over his quoting of the Portsmouth incident - a number of weapons, and the fact that he had them was down to the failure of the local police to follow the guidelines that are already in place - and the officer wasn't much better

Bob

[Conor O'Gorman]

11 minutes ago, discobob said:

Please do correct them Conor - that whole segment was full of mistruth's and possibly lies (to suit a narrative) and nobody corrected Cllr Bithell over his quoting of the Portsmouth incident - a number of weapons, and the fact that he had them was down to the failure of the local police to follow the guidelines that are already in place - and the officer wasn't much better

Bob

We are following up in a number of other ways also to correct the record - updates will follow.

[simcgunner]

[discobob]

On 04/10/2023 at 16:18, Conor O'Gorman said:

We are following up in a number of other ways also to correct the record - updates will follow.

Any update??

[Conor O'Gorman]

16 hours ago, discobob said:

Any update??

There will be an update next week.

[Scully]

On 05/10/2023 at 01:26, simcgunner said:

You don’t know how fortunate you are. 

[Conor O'Gorman]

There is an update in current issue of Shooting Times, with it being confirmed that there was no foundation for misreporting in the media insinuating that the PCC was lobbying for changes in firearms law. Click link below to read the article online.

https://www.shootinguk.co.uk/news/tackling-local-politics-146624/

That is not the end of the matter - we are following up ahead of next Crime Panel meeting on 11 December - where Cllr Bithell will likely be in attendance.

[old'un]

Well according to cllr Bithell I could have an arsenal of weapons and the police would not have clue how many guns I have, just goes to show the man as not got a clue of what he’s talking about, frighting to think that people like him could have so much influence on peoples lives, think he needs a few emails. christopher.bithell@flintshire.gov.uk

 

[Scully]

7 hours ago, Conor O'Gorman said:

There is an update in current issue of Shooting Times, with it being confirmed that there was no foundation for misreporting in the media insinuating that the PCC was lobbying for changes in firearms law. Click link below to read the article online.

https://www.shootinguk.co.uk/news/tackling-local-politics-146624/

That is not the end of the matter - we are following up ahead of next Crime Panel meeting on 11 December - where Cllr Bithell will likely be in attendance.

The most annoying aspect of matters such as these, ( as always ) is that the MSM picks up on the attention grabbing aspects and makes it a nationwide headline ( ‘ gun owners may own more guns than police know about’…..,quotes are mine as an example ) but when the actual facts are made known they get a couple of paragraphs in a shooting mag’ which is only read by a few shooters who already know it was *******!. 
Why oh why does it seem we are always on a hiding to nothing? 

[Dave at kelton]

12 hours ago, Scully said:

The most annoying aspect of matters such as these, ( as always ) is that the MSM picks up on the attention grabbing aspects and makes it a nationwide headline ( ‘ gun owners may own more guns than police know about’…..,quotes are mine as an example ) but when the actual facts are made known they get a couple of paragraphs in a shooting mag’ which is only read by a few shooters who already know it was *******!. 
Why oh why does it seem we are always on a hiding to nothing? 

The trouble is Editors control content and if facts don’t grab headlines they don’t get in the publication. It’s called Rabble Rousing!

[Conor O'Gorman]

On 17/11/2023 at 20:43, Scully said:

The most annoying aspect of matters such as these, ( as always ) is that the MSM picks up on the attention grabbing aspects and makes it a nationwide headline ( ‘ gun owners may own more guns than police know about’…..,quotes are mine as an example ) but when the actual facts are made known they get a couple of paragraphs in a shooting mag’ which is only read by a few shooters who already know it was *******!. 
Why oh why does it seem we are always on a hiding to nothing? 

The story is not over yet - updates to follow in due course.

[Scully]

1 hour ago, Conor O'Gorman said:

The story is not over yet - updates to follow in due course.

Good. Well done. 

[Penelope]

On 17/11/2023 at 20:43, Scully said:

The most annoying aspect of matters such as these, ( as always ) is that the MSM picks up on the attention grabbing aspects and makes it a nationwide headline ( ‘ gun owners may own more guns than police know about’…..,quotes are mine as an example ) but when the actual facts are made known they get a couple of paragraphs in a shooting mag’ which is only read by a few shooters who already know it was *******!. 
Why oh why does it seem we are always on a hiding to nothing? 

Simple, doesn't fit the narrative.

[discobob]

On 17/11/2023 at 14:35, old'un said:

Well according to cllr Bithell I could have an arsenal of weapons and the police would not have clue how many guns I have, just goes to show the man as not got a clue of what he’s talking about, frighting to think that people like him could have so much influence on peoples lives, think he needs a few emails. christopher.bithell@flintshire.gov.uk

 

Very nearly sent an email to Mr Bithell about his views but thought differently after a minute, as I am in Flintshire/North Wales, no matter how polite I was I would be on edge expecting a knock at the door from NWP ☹️

[London Best]

9 hours ago, discobob said:

Very nearly sent an email to Mr Bithell about his views but thought differently after a minute, as I am in Flintshire/North Wales, no matter how polite I was I would be on edge expecting a knock at the door from NWP ☹️

What have you got to hide?

[Tedward]

I think Discobob just meant that he would find it difficult to control his emotions - and quite rightly so.

[armsid]

I agree with Tedward but some people will react to this Cncll. and not think of the reaction from plod 

[discobob]

On 26/11/2023 at 08:08, London Best said:

What have you got to hide?

Nothing

On 26/11/2023 at 10:25, Tedward said:

I think Discobob just meant that he would find it difficult to control his emotions - and quite rightly so.

Not even this - all the Cllr would have to do is say he felt threatened/harassed-no matter how polite I was - and NWP would be knocking on my door before you could say “boo”