Richard recently attended a debate triggered by a petition signed by more than 120,000 people on proposals that would align shotgun licensing with the stricter regime for rifles.
Richard Fuller MP said:
The recent debate on Shotgun licensing was one of the busiest I have seen at Westminster. Rightly so.
Shotgun owners across the country are facing ludicrously long - and frequently economically damaging - delays to obtaining or renewing a license. Improving this process and reducing delays is an issue I have been working on closely with Bedfordshire Police.
There is also, however, a looming additional issue with the government considering making it even harder for people to obtain and own a shotgun. Namely, a proposal to align shotgun licensing with the stricter regime for rifles..
The argument presented was based primarily on safety grounds but I am not convinced there is a need, or indeed that the logic is right.
All Firearms Acts since the first, introducing licensing in 1920, have recognised the difference between shotguns and rifles. Parliament has consistently drawn a clear distinction between a firearm firing a bullet and one that discharges small pellets. This Government has committed to a public consultation on strengthening licensing controls on shotguns and has said it will be publishing the consultation shortly.
You can read more about Richard's work on firearms licensing at https://www.richardfuller.co.uk/campaigns/firearms-licensing
