AUT: Biggest rise in firearm certificates for 25 years

Friday, 26, May 2006 12:00

The number of people with firearms certificates in the UK has risen significantly according to the latest Home Office statistics, which were released this week.

The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), which has 125,000 members and is the largest representative body for shooting in the UK, believes the rise is due to more people taking up shooting sports. BASC has recently launched a shooting opportunities website www.goshooting.org.uk which will help even more people get involved in the sport.

There are 4,300 more firearm certificates on issue in England and Wales in 2004/5 than there were in 2003/4 which is the biggest yearly rise in firearms certificates for over 25 years.

Senior firearms officer, Mike Eveleigh, said "I have spoken to many target shooting clubs in the UK over the past year, and the vast majority tell me that their membership is increasing steadily which is great news for the future of our sport especially with London hosting the Olympics in 2012."

Shotgun certificates also showed a slow but steady increase, with 2,500 more on issue than in 2003/4. There were also increases in visitor permits for firearms (16.5%) and shotguns (7.3%) and a small increase in the number of Registered Firearms Dealers.

ENDS

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