The influential Home Affairs Select Committee has announced that it intends to hold a thorough inquiry into firearms law after the shooting incidents in Cumbria and Northumbria.
BASC believes the inquiry is a potentially serious threat to shooting and is calling on everyone who shoots to submit their own views to the committee. BASC’s expert firearms team has produced information and a guide to help people submit evidence which is available on the BASC website www.basc.org.uk. Written evidence must be submitted no later than August 27th.
Christopher Graffius, BASC director of communications, said: “We were expecting an inquiry into the Cumbria murders, but the Home Affairs Select Committee is proposing to look much more widely into firearms licensing, ownership and use. BASC will be submitting evidence and will seek to appear before the committee to give oral evidence. It is vital that all of us who are involved in shooting submit our evidence to the committee.”
BASC thinks the committee will prove to be a rallying point for anti-gun campaigners. Christopher Graffius said: “This inquiry will be targeted by those who oppose legitimate gun ownership and wish to see further restrictions. Moreover, the committee intends to go over old and new ground. They have included airguns in the scope of the inquiry and will revisit old recommendations such as requiring good reason to be given for shotgun ownership and the role of doctors in the licensing process.”
“It is important that shooting provides a solid body of evidence and opinion to the committee. Individual voices must be heard as well as those of the shooting organisations.”
ENDS
