At the start of January 2015 the Law Commission released a document stating that the UK’s current Firearms legislation was “deeply problematic and in need of reform”. (Consultation Paper Number 224)
Identifying a number of points, the commission has called for far reaching changes to the UK Law relating to firearms, and improved codification of the law. For better or worse the implications are, that there will be changes afoot for all firearm Certificate holders.
Launching the project, Professor David Ormerod QC, Law Commissioner for Criminal Law, said:
“Public confidence in the criminal justice system is undermined when defendants walk free because the legislation intended to criminalise their behaviour is no longer working effectively. It is also undermined when those who make every effort to comply with the law inadvertently commit a serious criminal offence because of imprecise, outdated and unnecessarily technical drafting.
“Our aim is to clarify and simplify the legal framework, ensuring that public safety is not compromised. Our reforms will strengthen the protection offered by the law by ensuring illegal firearms are dealt with by clear and robust legislation, and that criminals no longer have the opportunity to exploit loopholes in the law. We will also seek to ensure that the law is clear for legitimate holders of firearms.
“This project offers an important and timely opportunity to contribute to public safety, while also improving the management and use of firearms for everyone with an interest in this area.”
The commission has requested information and evidence from all those that legitimately own firearms or from those that investigate or prosecute their proper use.
The closing date for the consultation is 21 September 2015, evidence and observations can be emailed to:
