The sixth Briefing of 2018 coincides with a debate on proposed amendments to the law governing the renewal of firearm licences in Parliament on 6 November.
It locates firearm licence renewals within a global context in recognition that regular gun licence renewals are integral to public safety: Renewals ensure that licensed gun owners remain “fit and proper” for this responsibility and that registered guns have not been lost or stolen but are still in the possession of the licensed owner. They also help the state keep accurate records of who owns what gun for which purpose.
As such regular renewals are not just a ‘tick box’ technical procedure, instead they are a key principle of effective gun control. Consequently, any amendments to laws regulating firearm licence renewals must be carefully scrutinised to ensure that the overall objective of regular gun licence renewal – namely public safety – will be met.
