The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) are gearing up to respond to the Government’s firearms safety consultation to ensure the future of sustainable shooting and firearms ownership.

The Home Office consultation, launched today (24^th November), deals with several areas of interest including miniature rifle ranges, large calibre rifles, air guns and ammunition.

In detail the consultation asks for responses on:

• What level of enhanced security would sufficiently reduce the risk of high muzzle energy rifles (.50 calibre rifles) being stolen and misused.
• The possession of air guns by under-18s, secure storage and safe-keeping
• Proposals that miniature rifle range operator to apply for a firearm certificate and undergo necessary police checks.
• The controls required for the possession of ammunition propellants and primers.

The consultation will run until 16^th February 2021.

Leading BASC’s response and workload will be director of firearms Bill Harriman. He said: “The topics considered in the government’s consultation have been known about for several months. BASC has been using the delay to start working on a credible and robust response. The issues raised have already been analysed, with our conclusions drawn.

“BASC’s response will challenge the government to put up evidence-led and proportionate measures in any proposal that sees to regulate legitimate firearms ownership.”

Discussing the air guns proposals, Bill said: “On first glance it would appear that the government has listened to BASC’s concerns on licensing air guns and are considering other options.

“We will now work with government during the consultation period to ensure the legitimate shooting community are not left disadvantaged.”

BASC will be publishing an advice note in due course and urge members to respond to this consultation.

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