Firearms (Hansard, 5 December 1989)

§ Mr. Thurnham
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the implementation of new controls on gun clubs.
177W

§ Mr. Peter Lloyd
Consideration is being given by my right hon. and learned Friend to the implementation of the new tighter controls on gun clubs in the light of advice received from the firearms consultative committee.

§ Mr. Favell
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further steps are proposed, in the light of recent incidents in Greater Manchester and elsewhere, to impose tighter controls on gun clubs.

§ Mr. Peter Lloyd
As my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary announced recently, he is minded that in future his approval will not be granted to any club operating a "day membership" scheme or offering any form of temporary membership facility. Visiting membership for full members of other approved clubs will be permitted. An applicant for probationary membership will have to be sponsored by two full members of the club, both of whom are themselves firearm certificate holders. Probationary members must be constantly supervised when in possession of a firearm or ammunition, either by the range master or by a full member of the club who personally holds a firearm certificate. Probationary members must be given a course of instruction in the safe and proper use of firearms. The number of probationary members of an approved club must not exceed the number of full members. The police will be able to use their powers under section 15(5) of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988 to enter and inspect club premises to ensure that clubs are complying with the provisions of the Secretary of State's approval. We will continue to make clear to clubs that the exemption under section 15 of the 1988 Act from the requirement to hold a firearm certificate covers only target practice and does not extend to competition. Consideration is being given by my right hon. and learned Friend, to the implementation of these proposals in the light of advice received from the Firearms Consultative Committee.