§ Mr. WigginTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many chief constables are demanding that every applicant for the grant or renewal of a shotgun certificate provides proof of a good reason for requiring such a shotgun; whether this is required by law and whether he will issue further guidance to chief police officers to clarify the matter and confine such a practice to firearms.
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§ Mr. Peter LloydThe administration of the Firearms Acts 1968 to 1988 is a matter for individual chief officers of police who are empowered under section 28 (1A) of the Firearms Act 1968 as amended by section 3 of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988 to refuse the issue or renewal of a shotgun certificate if they are satisfied that an applicant does not have a good reason for purchasing, acquiring or possessing a shotgun.
Information about the practical operation of firearm controls within each force area in England and Wales is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Practical guidance on the proper and efficient administration of firearms controls has been issued to the police service in the document "Firearms Law: Guidance to the Police", a copy of which was placed in the Library on publication in 1989. At our request the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) has written to chief officers drawing their attention to the guidance given on this matter to help ensure consistency of practice between police forces.