HOME OFFICE MUST RECONSIDER SCOTTISH FIREARM LAWS.

HOME OFFICE MUST RECONSIDER SCOTTISH FIREARM LAWS.

CALMAN EVIDENCE IGNORED BY HOME OFFICE - AIRGUN LAWS COULD BE TRANSFERRED NOW.

The SNP has condemned the response of the Home Office to requests for the transfer of firearm powers to Scotland and for the continued delay over transferring powers over airguns as recommended in the Calman Commission report.

Today’s Herald reports the Home Office is unwilling to transfer powers over control of firearms in Scotland to the Scottish Parliament because of concerns over cross border issues, however in evidence to the Calman Commission the Association of Chief Police Officers discount that argument stating;

“This realistically would not cause a major policing issue and those licensed individuals, having been assessed on both sides of the border with regard to their suitability to hold firearms, should be able to respond and cope with any variations in legislation and resulting practice which arises.

“Should firearms legislation be devolved then it would provide the appropriate opportunity and environment for debating issues which appear to be more relevant in Scotland, such as the misuse of air weapons or to consider more radical responses to such tragic events as Dunblane.”

SNP MSP and Justice Committee member Angela Constance said;

“The Home Office’s refusal to properly consider the issues around transferring firearms control shows the UK’s response to Calman is simply warm words and no action.

“The Scottish Government has already drawn up the orders for the transfer of powers over air weapons – however the UK Government is delaying this with steering groups that will push the issue into the long grass instead of moving ahead with legislation as soon as possible.

“ACPOS are clear that differing legislation on firearms on either side of the border would have no major impact on policing and would create an environment for debating Scotland’s response to firearms issues. The response of the Home Office shows they are stuck in the past.”

more info,

1. The Home Office response can be found at; http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/news/display.var.2518580.0.Scots_gun_law_reform_shot_down_by_Whitehall.php

2. The ACPOS response to phase 2 of the Commission on Scottish Devolution is at the link below; http://www.commissiononscottishdevolution.org.uk/engage/submissions-received.php