BASC gives BBC the facts on firearms licensing as consultation draws to a close

BASC’s head of firearms, Martin Parker, appeared on the BBC’s Breakfast programme today (23 August) ahead of the close of the Home Office’s firearms licensing consultation.

The 20-minute package, which began just after 7.30am, also featured footage of BASC’s clay line at this year’s Game Fair at Ragley Hall in Warwickshire.

BASC has responded to what it billed as “the most important consultation on firearms ownership in 35 years” and has urged members to also respond so that the shooting community has a voice in decisions that will have an impact for decades to come. The consultation closes at 11.59pm today.

Mr Parker informed the BBC that around 600,000 people in the UK have a shotgun certificate, a firearm certificate or both and they would include pest controllers, deer managers, recreational shooters and target shooters.

He told the programme: “It’s not in our interest for anyone who shouldn’t have a firearm certificate or a shotgun certificate getting it.”

Later on this morning, Mr Parker was interviewed live on BBC Radio 5 Live.

BASC was also included in today’s BBC online coverage of the story and last week featured in a piece in The Guardian about the consultation.

You can find a link to the consultation on our website here.