UK Home Office seeks views on air weapon regulation

The UK Home Office has started to seek the views of interested parties on the existing air weapon regulation.

The move is part of the UK Government’s decision to review the regulation following a recommendation by Her Majesty’s Senior Coroner for Suffolk, Dr Peter Dean.

The air weapons review in England and Wales was requested by Dr Peter Dean following the case of Benjamin Wragge, aged 13, who was accidently shot by an air weapon.

The accidental shooting and several other incidents led to a number of families raising the issue of air weapon legislation with their MPs, police forces and relevant charities and the RSPCA, the Gun Control Network, the British Shooting Sports Council and the Gun Trade Association.

UK Policing and the Fire Service Minister Nick Hurd announced the air weapons review this October.

The review will seek feedback on whether the current air gun laws are sufficient, appropriate and effective as well as views on the possibility of placing additional requirements on adults to own air weapons when children are present.

It will also seek views on the storage and safe-keeping of air weapons, further measures on manufacturing standards, and evidence from Scotland and Northern Ireland, where air weapons are subject to a licensing regime.

The interested parties and members of the public can share evidence on the topics in the review by 6 February 2018.