Government’s decision unnecessary and an erosion of civil liberties, says BASC

BASC has criticised the government’s decision to grant police automatic powers of entry into the homes of firearms certificate holders as unnecessary and an erosion of civil liberties.

The police already have powers of entry to prevent crime and if life is in danger. They can also get a warrant from a magistrate and they can revoke a person’s shotgun or firearm certificate, making their possession of guns illegal. This power of entry was opposed by 80.7 % of respondents to the consultation.

The announcement was made today in the government’s response to a 2023 firearms licensing consultation.

Also announced was the government’s intention to launch a new consultation later this year on whether controls on higher-powered firearms should be applied to lower powered shotguns.

The government has refused to make the placing of a marker on the medical notes of certificate holders mandatory for general practitioners; despite 83% of respondents supporting this proposal.

BASC’s director of firearms, Bill Harriman, said: “This is a deeply concerning move that fundamentally undermines the principles of fairness and due process. The government is handing the police sweeping powers to enter the homes of certificate holders when the ability to do so to protect public safety is already enshrined in law.  This is potentially a serious infringement on the human rights of firearms users. In addition, by removing the safeguard of judicial oversight, a law-abiding section of society has been placed firmly into the category of second class citizens.

“At a time when the firearms licensing system is already struggling under the weight of inefficiency and inconsistency, this does nothing to improve public safety.”

“Instead of addressing the failings in the system, this response suggests a lack of understanding of the real problems present in firearms licensing.”

BASC will scrutinise the government’s proposals in detail and strongly oppose any measures that unfairly penalise the shooting community.