§ Mr. Fletcherasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what qualifications are required under his regulations for obtaining a firearms certificate for security and protection purposes in the Metropolitan Police area.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerUnder the Statute, the decision whether a firearms certificate should be granted in a particular case rests with the chief officer of police for the area in which the applicant resides, subject to appeal to quarter sessions in the event of a refusal. The chief officer of police is required to satisfy himself, before granting a certificate, that the applicant can be permitted to have a firearm in his possession without danger to the public safety or to the peace. The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis acts on the view, with which I agree, that in general firearms are not a suitable means of protection in this country, and that it should rarely be necessary for a firearm to be permitted for protection purposes.