Shooting Times & Country Magazine
Home Office to consult on new firearms restrictions
Rural groups are seeking urgent clarification after the Home Office announced a public consultation on the use of “offensive and dangerous weapons”.
Among the measures being reviewed are the online sale of knives and the transfer of two firearms — .50 calibre and “certain rapid-firing rifles” — from the general licensing arrangements to the stricter provisions of Section 5 of the Firearms Act 1968.
Bill Harriman, BASC’S director of firearms, said:
“The details of this consultation have not yet been released, but BASC is seeking clarification from the Government as a matter of urgency. The ability of terrorists or criminals to acquire .50-calibre rifles is insignificant. These have been possessed lawfully without incident.
“The current wording around proposals for ‘certain rapid-firing rifles’ are too vague to allow a detailed response at this stage,” he added. The Countryside Alliance said that it fully supports efforts to prevent firearms falling into the hands of criminals, though it added: “We firmly oppose firearms regulation that only disadvantages legal shooters without improving public safety. From the Home Office announcement it is hard to tell what the consultation will propose, but we will be asking for assurances that any changes to firearms legislation will be proportional.”