‘Red-herring’ firearms survey still requires responses, says BASC

BASC is asking members and the wider shooting community to respond to a firearms licensing survey, despite describing it as a ‘red-herring’.

The survey, coordinated by the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) on the back of the Plymouth shooting incident, is seeking views on firearms licensing in England and Wales.

Questions within the survey relate to full cost recovery, police vetting, medical involvement in firearms licensing and reporting concerns about certificate holders.

Bill Harriman, BASC’s director of firearms, said: “While the topics are important and deserve responses, BASC strongly believe the APCC should be focusing on fixing known issues within the licensing service rather than stalling to ask for public opinion. Certain questions within the survey are leading and the whole process is nothing more than a red-herring.

“BASC will be writing directly to the APCC to propose solutions to several known issues within the licensing process to ensure the correct action is taken.”

For more information on the survey and to read BASC’s position on the questions asked please click here.