Home Office announces new firearms advisory body


20th May 2004……………………………………………….immediate release.

The Home Office has announced more details of the body which is to replace the Firearms Consultative Committee (FCC) as the main source of advice on firearms matters to the Government.

The FCC was disbanded by the Home Secretary and is to be replaced by a two-tier Firearms Advisory Committee. In a written statement Home Office minister Caroline Flint said the main committee will be made up of 21 members “to be drawn in equal measure from shooting interests; law enforcement/regulation; and organisations and community groups with an interest in the social consequences of firearms use and misuse”. It will be supported by a Technical Sub-Committee with 12-15 members “drawn principally from representatives of law enforcement bodies and shooting organisations with knowledge of firearms matters”.

The main committee will “advise the Home Office on the law and policy on firearms, having regard to the need to maintain public safety and prevent criminal misuse, taking into account the interests of legitimate shooters and the efficient administration of controls”.

Christopher Graffius, Director of Communications at the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) said “BASC welcomes the recognition of the need to take account of legitimate shotgun and firearm users. As the largest shooting organisation in the UK, BASC expects to be represented on both committees, as we were on their predecessor. It is important that the public perception that inner-city gun crime can be tackled by restrictions on lawful gun owners is broken down. Legal shooting sports and lawfully held guns have not contributed to the rise in armed crime in this country. “

“BASC stands firmly against the criminal misuse of firearms and is keen to explore new ways of working with other bodies and agencies to help to address this problem.”
ENDS

For more details call the BASC press office on 01244 573031