BASC meets with four police firearms licensing teams

This week saw members of BASC’s specialist firearms team, plus its team of regional directors, spend time with representatives of four of the UK’s police firearms licensing departments.

The two-day event saw presentations given on challenges faced by police forces when making decisions related to firearms licensing, particularly when considering the Home Office Statutory Guidance and the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. The forces involved in the event were the Metropolitan Police, Essex Police, Warwickshire Police and North Wales Police.

Also included was a plenary session during which BASC staff and police representatives exchanged some of their experiences, looking at how potential obstacles could be overcome in the future. The efficiency of the licensing process and how this could be improved for gun owners was also discussed.

The event was well-received by all participants, providing the opportunity for problems to be viewed from both a police and BASC, and therefore BASC-members’, perspective. 

Martin Parker, BASC head of firearms said: “The last couple of days have been most informative and have established firm foundations for closer partnership working in the future; this can only be to our members’ benefit.” 

“I should like to express my sincere thanks to the Metropolitan, Essex, Warwickshire and North Wales police forces for allowing their staff to engage in this way. Hopefully this will be the start of further close liaison and I will be looking towards inviting other forces to attend similar events.”

For more news on firearms and firearms licensing, head to our dedicated pages here.