§ 26. Shona McIsaacTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the obtaining of firearms licences by foreign nationals. [116813]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeAll applicants for firearm certificates must satisfy the chief officer of police that they have "good reason" to possess the firearms in question and that they are fit to be entrusted to do so without danger to public safety or to the peace. Since 1998, applicants must supply the police with details of two referees to the application. Referees must have known the applicant personally for at least two years. The Association of Chief Police Officers have recently reinforced the need to carry out background checks through Interpol in relation to all foreign applicants and those who have been resident overseas.