ACPO comment on IPCC report into firearms licensing

National policing lead for firearms and explosives licensing Deputy Chief Constable Andy Marsh said:

“Public safety must be the key priority for the police in assessing and reviewing our system of licensing firearms. I welcome the IPCC’s national recommendations and I am working with police forces and partners to implement them. The revision of Home Office guidance will provide a single robust, modern interpretation of the law. Other strands of work include developing an online solution to increase efficiency in a dated and manual system and enable staff to concentrate on concerns and investigations, and improving the current information sharing agreement between the police and medical profession.”

“Our focus for firearms licensing centres on three key aims: increasing public safety by preventing avoidable or foreseeable harm through improved governance, information sharing and monitoring, improving the licensing processes making it rigorous yet cost effective and fair, and providing an excellent service to the shooting community and the public. The police service is continually reviewing and developing firearms licensing to improve public safety.”

IPCC report- http://www.ipcc.gov.uk/news/Pages/pr_140613_Athertonnationalrecommendations.aspx

For more information please contact:

ACPO Press Office
Association of Chief Police Officers
e: press.office@acpo.pnn.police.uk