Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
ABUSE VICTIMS DEMAND TOUGHER GUN CONTROL thought I wasn’t oing to see the hildren again... e gun was at my hest. I was too ear to even stare own the barrel
The click of a key in the lock brings with it a stomach-churning fear, of humiliation, yells, violence. But life for a domestic abuse victim means taking a deep breath and painting on a breezy smile, regardless.
And when the abuser has permission to keep guns, victims live with the fear that they may be seconds from death.
Last week, two months after Jake Davison, 22, killed five people in Plymouth with a shotgun he was licensed to own, the Home Office announced heightened security checks for anyone obtaining or renewing a gun licence.
Davison’s murder weapon, turned on himself after his killing spree – which began when he killed his own mother – had been confiscated by police but later returned to him despite the “incel” hate he had posted online.
From next month, a medical report will be needed when a licence is applied for or renewed, and social media checks must be carried out by the police, who must also review the applicant’s financial and domestic abuse history.
It does not, however, rule out the return of confiscated guns.
The measures come as scant consolation to victims such as Rhianon Bragg, who was held at gunpoint by her abusive ex with a firearm returned to him by police just weeks beforehand.
Or Kate, whose name has been changed for her safety, who has learned her abusive ex-husband had his firearms returned, without her knowledge.
CCTV footage shows Rhianon, 49, a mum from Rhosgadfan in Wales, held at gunpoint by Gareth Wyn Jones in 2019 with a firearm returned to him by North Wales Police. Reliving the eight-hour ordeal, Rhianon’s voice shakes as she says: “Several times that night I thought I wasn’t going to see the children again.
“The gun was at my chest. I was too near to even stare down the barrel.”
She believes the new guidance would have done nothing to protect her because Wyn Jones, like so many abusers, was manipulative enough to conceal his abuse.
She says: “It’s like putting a sticking plaster over an abscess. Too little being done too late. Gareth was aware of his mental instability. I suggested he see the GP, but he was adamant he would never see anyone as it would risk losing his gun licence. He was very open with me about why he didn’t use social media – because it left a trail.
“Perpetrators of domestic abuse habitually lie and hide the truth. I can’t see how the Home Office can let licence holders keep guns at home. Surely the hassle to gun owners is far outweighed by the potential to save one life?”
Rhianon left Wyn Jones in April 2019, and went to the police when he started stalking her. They confiscated his guns a month later, but when no case was brought returned them in the June.
Wyn Jones ambushed Rhianon near her house that August. He was jailed in March 2020 for four-and-a-half years.
She says a police officer told her he had confiscated Wyn Jones’s guns once before, due to a historic allegation of abuse. North Wales Police declined to
It go ch th ch ne do comment. Terrified Kate told the but Mirror how she lives daily with the poli fear of being attacked by her abusive corn ex. The young mum says: “I have literally wall slept by my front door even when he T didn’t have the guns, in case he put orde something through my letterbox. lice
“He had me up against the wall with his hands around my throat multiple times. Not having that peace where you live is constantly tormenting.
The police told me to get triple locks on my doors and put
CCTV cameras up.
That’s all very well,
My abusive ex has been given his gun back... the police say to fit triple locks and CCTV.. that’s all very well, but it’s not bullet proof
it’s not bullet proof.” She called ice numerous times after her ex had nered her at home, pinned her to the l by her throat or spat in her face. he incidents led to a restraining er and the confiscation of his two nsed shotguns, but she has now learned they are back in his possession. This is despite a visit from a licensing officer who asked if she would feel comfortable with the firearms being returned, to which she answered, clearly, “No”. Kate claims she was reassured she would be told if the guns were returned. Instead, she recently found out via a text from a concerned mutual friend.
She is now reluctant to complain to police, fearing annoyed officers, who she is not confident take her situation seriously, might not be quick to support her.
She recalls being told by one officer: “Men can take break-ups harder than women.” Kate says: “I don’t think I will ever call them again.”
She welcomes the new firearms guidance, but is angry about the lack of consultation with abuse victims.
One in four women are believed to be victims of domestic abuse in the UK. Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary found 75% of all cases are closed early without charge. Kate says: “The vast majority of abuse happens in secret. It is incredibly naive to think that looking through social media or relying on an abuser admitting their behaviour to their GP will be even close to sufficient to solving this problem.
“It is far more likely a victim might seek support from a medical professional, however these records will obviously not be able to be linked to the suitability of a gun licence applicant.”
Prevention of Future Death Notices ordered by coroners reveal 10 women have been shot dead in the past nine years by partners who had gun licences despite alleged domestic abuse or severe mental health issues. In six instances police returned guns despite allegations.
Under the new guidance, confiscated guns can still be returned if a “full review” finds “there is no danger to public safety or the peace”.
The Gun Control Network highlights the cases of killers John Lowe in 2014, and Michael Atherton in 2012, where guns were seized after abuse allegations, but returned. Lowe, 82, killed his partner Christine Lee, 66, and her daughter Lucy, 40.
Atherton, 42, killed his partner Susan Mcgoldrick,
KATE 47, her sister Alison Turnbull, 44, and niece Tanya Turnbull, 24.
Campaigner Rachel Williams, who was shot by her abusive ex-husband, has joined Nazir Afzal, the former Chief Crown Prosecutor for the North West, to demand tougher gun controls.
In a petition, they call for no person to be granted or retain a licence if they have any history of domestic abuse.
A spokeswoman says: “We call for those in the applicant’s household to be consulted, covertly, about the applicant’s behaviour and suitability.
“Their voices must be heard.”
To sign the petition visit: change. org/p/prime-minister-boris-johnsonestablish-stricter-gun-licensing-regulations-and-law-in-uk