Carmichael raises concerns on merging firearms license regulation

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has this week in Parliament raised concerns about potential consequences of “Section 1 & 2” firearms license regulation being merged by the government. Speaking in a debate on the issue on Monday evening, secured by a public petition, Mr Carmichael noted that the two sections were intentionally kept separate in previous legislation. He added concerns about the impact on rural businesses, local police, and on future bird culls that may be needed in the Northern Isles.

Speaking in Parliament, Mr Carmichael said:

“Are we not losing sight of the fact that, when Parliament legislated in the first instance for two different classifications, it did so for a reason? That reason, in essence, has not changed. There is a risk that, in pursuing something that is essentially procedural, we come away at the end of the day with worse outcomes, which are surely what matter to all those who care about the safety issue.”

Responding, Plaid Cymru MP Ben Lake said:

“The right hon. Member is correct that the original Firearms Act differentiated between the smooth barrel and the rifle for very good reasons. Others have touched upon that, and my hon. Friend the Member for Angus and Perthshire Glens (Dave Doogan) elaborated on the point about the differentiation of lethality and effective range. Those are very important points that surely remain salient and key if the objective of this exercise is to ensure public safety.”

Reacting after the debate, Mr Carmichael said:

“The Government’s proposal to merge sections of firearms licensing law has caused some not-insignificant concern in rural communities.

“The UK already has one of the most effective and strictest systems of firearms licensing in the world, and we can be proud of how effective that system has proven to be. I fear, however, that the changes proposed by the government would not have any meaningful impact on public safety but would have a significant impact on those such as farmers, land managers and pest controllers who require a shotgun for their job. It would also place an even greater burden on overstretched rural police forces to administer.

“There is a specific concern to the isles from the potential long-term impact on bird culls where they are needed. That is something that will matter particularly to farmers and crofters who have felt the impact of rising greylag geese numbers in recent years. The reclassification of shotguns would increase administrative costs and time lost in getting properly certified, making it harder to maintain local expertise and ability to act on culls here. Those are the sort of unintended consequences that the government should consider properly, before they make any further changes to regulation.”