Policing and Crime Bill must not be a missed opportunity, says Countryside Alliance

The Countryside Alliance has welcomed Part 6 of the new Policing and Crime Bill, introduced today 10 February, which focuses on a number of vital firearms issues. The new provisions will clarify those areas of the law identified in a recent report by the Law Commission.

Positive developments in the bill include definitions of 'antique firearms' and 'lethality', and a new offence targeted at criminal intent to convert an imitation firearm into a working firearm.

However, the Countryside Alliance feels an opportunity to clarify further areas of firearms law that have long been considered confusing has been missed. The Alliance believes making firearms legislation easier to understand would be of huge benefit to those who own and use legal firearms.

Countryside Alliance head of shooting, Liam Stokes said: "We thank the Home Office and Law Commission for what is a constructive piece of work in such a short amount of time. We are very pleased that this Bill looks positively on legal firearms users.

"We do, however, feel that this is a golden opportunity to include further provisions which would improve firearms legislation, and most importantly reduce the burden of administration upon both shooters and the police without any risk to public safety.

"We look forward to working with the Government and other stakeholders to take advantage of this opportunity."