Police are to carry out more checks under new rules to stop violent offenders and domestic abusers getting guns – but critics say the reforms do not go far enough.
The tighter controls brought in by the Home Office from today follow criticism by the coroner who oversaw the Plymouth mass shootings inquest.
Ian Arrow said a ‘root and branch reform’ of firearms legislation was needed as gun laws are ‘at odds with public safety’ after Jake Davison, 22, used a legally-held shotgun in 2021 to kill his mother and four others before he shot himself.
Those applying for a shotgun will now need to show that two individuals who have known them for at least two years can vouch for their suitability. And they must declare all convictions.
Police will also speak to partners and household members to identify any signs of domestic abuse or violence.
Evidence of dishonesty or concerns about a someone’s integrity may also prevent an application being approved.
Previously, gun owners required a single referee before undergoing police checks.
Yesterday campaigners said the reforms did not go far enough.
Emma Ambler’s twin sister Kelly Fitzgibbons, 40, was shot dead by her partner Rob Needham.
He gunned down her and her children Ava, four, and Lexi, two, as they were in bed in West Sussex in 2020.
The depressed 42-year-old, who got a firearms licence by lying to police about his criminal record and cocaine addiction, then shot himself.
She said: ‘We need a national firearms licence database, we need more regular reviews of those that have firearms.
‘There also seems to be nothing to stop people making a copy of a licence, like Nicholas Prosper. That has not even been considered.’
Last year, Prosper, 19, used fake firearms certificate copied from real versions online to dupe a pensioner into selling him a shotgun.
A day later, he launched a mission to become the most infamous killer in history by shooting dead his mother and siblings before setting out to commit a school massacre.
Police caught him by chance.
Ms Ambler said: ‘I welcome the changes so far, but have they introduced anything really new? No.’
Policing minister Diana Johnson said yesterday: ‘Only those who meet the highest standards of safety and responsibility should be permitted to use firearms.’
But Professor Peter Squires, of the Gun Control Network pressure group, said: ‘The changes do not go far enough. Little of this would have stopped Prosper.’
