POLICING MINISTER ADDRESSES FIREARMS LICENSING CONCERNS AT APPG MEETING
The UK’s policing minister, Dame Diana Johnson MP, has addressed key issues surrounding firearms licensing during a well-attended meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on shooting and conservation.
Held in Parliament, the meeting brought together representatives from every major political party, which provides the APPG’s secretariat. The agenda focused on current licensing policy, potential legislative changes and ongoing dialogue between government and the shooting community.
During the session, Dame Diana acknowledged the importance of legal firearms and shotgun ownership to the rural economy, farming sector, sporting communities, and wider countryside. She confirmed that licensing fees would remain under review and are expected to increase regularly in line with inflation.
In response to concerns about the storage of firearms, the minister stated she had no plans to ban the keeping of legally held firearms or shotguns at certificate holders’ homes and was unaware of where the idea had originated.
She also indicated that a government policy statement on sound moderators would be published shortly. In addition, a consultation is expected on proposals to reclassify section 2 firearms under section 1, following advice.
Responding to questions about a perceived agenda to restrict firearms ownership, Dame Diana said there was no such intention within government.