HL Deb 23 January 1990 vol 514 cc1048-50WA
Baroness Gardner of Parkes

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What further steps are proposed to impose tighter controls on gun clubs.

The Minister of State, Home Office (Earl Ferrers)

I refer my noble friend to the reply given to my noble friend Lord Renton on 14th November at col. 1305, which set out proposals to amend the criteria applied to gun clubs approved by the Secretary of State under Section 15 of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988. My right honourable friend the Home Secretary said at that time that before reaching a final decision on the proposed new controls he would ask the Firearms Consultative Committee for their views. He has now received and carefully considered the advice of the committee.

As my right honourable friend originally proposed, he has decided on the grounds of public safety that any club which operates a scheme of uncontrolled day or temporary membership shall no longer be approved by him. However, in response to representations which have been made to my right honourable friend by the committee and by many members of the shooting community, he accepts that some provision should be made to ensure that the continued recruitment of new members to gun clubs is adequately safeguarded. My right honourable friend will therefore permit novice members to receive instruction in an approved club in the safe handling of firearms, but without access to ammunition, on no more than four occasions a year. Such arrangements for a novice must be made by the club secretary at least 48 hours in advance. Approved clubs will also be allowed to hold guest days, on no more than four occasions per year, when limited numbers of people known to the club may be invited to visit the club by its secretary. On these limited occasions guest members would, under constant personal supervision, be allowed to handle firearms and ammunition. Clubs will be required to give reasonable prior notice to the local police of when they intend to hold such guest days. The police have statutory powers of inspection of approved clubs under the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988.

My right honourable friend has also decided to implement his proposals, which the committee fully endorsed, that probationary members of approved clubs, when in possession of firearms or ammunition, must be under constant personal supervision by a range master or by a full member of the club who holds a firearm certificate, and that they should undergo a probationary period of not less than six months, during which they should receive a course of instruction on the safe handling and use of firearms. The committee will be providing further advice to me on the nature and standards of such instruction. My right honourable friend has also decided to implement his proposal that the number of probationary members of a club should not exceed the number of full members. Full members of approved gun clubs will continue to be allowed to become members of other appoved dubs.

My right honourable friend has also decided that probationary members should be sponsored by one current full member of the club and one person who knows the applicant personally.

In considering individual applications by clubs for my right honourable friend's approval, variations from these criteria may be permitted in exceptional circumstances but considerations of public safety will always remain paramount.

We are satisfied that these new criteria for club approvals are justified in the intersts of public safety.

The new criteria will be implemented with immediate effect in respect of any new applications for approval. Clubs currently approved will be advised of the changes and permitted a reasonable time in which to comply with the revised criteria.

I understand that my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Scotland will adopt the same policy for his approval of clubs.