Liberal Democrat Councillor for the East Marsh Learn more
by Steve Beasant on 3 August, 2013
New guidance, with specific provisions on domestic violence, will help protect the public from people who are not suitable to hold firearms.
Individuals with a history of domestic violence should not be permitted to possess a firearm or shotgun, according to new Home Office guidance published on Wednesday 31 July.
It also says that every incident of domestic violence should prompt a police review of whether a certificate holder should be allowed to hold a firearm without posing a danger to the public.
The new guidance will form part of the Firearms Guide, which police forces use when deciding whether to grant a certificate to an applicant.
Minister for Policing Damian Green said:
“Domestic violence is unacceptable in any society and perpetrators should be in no doubt that their chances of ever holding a firearms certificate are greatly diminished.
“This new Home Office guidance clearly sets out a process which police forces should follow when considering an application from someone with a history of domestic violence.
“It should also ensure the views and experiences of victims of domestic abuse are carefully and sensitively taken into account. I am confident this guidance will continue to protect the public from people who are not suitable to hold firearms.”
Families to be interviewed
The guidance states:
The guidance also says police would not have to rely on a criminal conviction for domestic violence when considering applications.
They would be able to consider police intelligence about an incident, looking at how recent it was and whether it was isolated behaviour or part of a pattern.
The new guidance was published today here
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