News
Updated best practice guidance from The Wild Deer Best Practice Group
If you are engaged in deer stalking, you will likely be aware of the changes to the order which allows for the shooting of deer in Scotland with an image intensifying scope and also the changes to bullet weights.
Deer Poaching
A 48 year-old man was sentenced on Tuesday 20th February at Dungannon Crown Court, for offences linked to wildlife crime, following collaborative investigations by police and partners.
Home Office Consultation – Removal of sound moderators from certification.
The Home Office today circulated a consultation proposing the removal of sound moderators from the certification process.
NCA Keeping Guns Secure
The National Crime Agency have produced a document for circulation to those involved in shooting sports or activities.
Lead ammunition consultation
As you will likely be aware, following on from the HSE consultation of 2022 in respect of lead ammunition, a second consultation was published in October 2023. This consultation closes on 10 December 2023.
NI’s Shooting and Countryside organisations meet PSNI firearms branch staff
Northern Ireland’s shooting and countryside organisations recently met with Police Service of Northern Ireland Firearms and Explosives Branch (PSNI FEB) staff and senior officials from the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Belfast.
Bereavement Guidance and Guidance for Referees and Verifiers
Police Scotland Firearms Licensing have recently published the following documents on their website.
UK REACH - Public Consultation on Lead in Ammunition
As you will likely be aware UK REACH on behalf of DEFRA previously ran a consultation in respect of lead ammunition, including lead shot.
Scottish legislative changes: close season for male deer, Bullet weights & Use night vision scopes
As you will likely know, changes are being made to the Deer Close Season Order and the Deer Firearms Order. This was agreed in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 27 September.
Welfare of Dogs Bill
SACS and the Scottish Countryside Alliance worked together on our consultation response to this draft member’s bill.
Temporary Use of Land (Shooting Ranges)
The Scottish Government sought responses to a consultation to amend planning regulations to take in target shooting ranges which are used for less than 28 days.
Firearms licensing: recommendations for changes
You will likely know that the Home Office issued a Firearms Licensing consultation in June 2023 in respect to the Keyham tragedy, the subsequent reports by the Coroner and the IOPC in respect of the circumstances and also the views of the Scottish Affairs Committee in their review of firearms licensing in Scotland.
RELM Partners rough shooting guidance
RELM partners have developed this rough shooting guidance in readiness for the new Hunting with Dogs Act coming into force later in the year, although the actual date when the new law takes effect is yet to be confirmed by the Scottish Government.
Firearms licensing: a consultation on recommendations for changes made to the Home Office
As you are likely aware, the Home Office has launched a consultation in respect of firearms licensing matters in England, Wales and Scotland.
Whilst we will be responding formally prior to the closure of the consultation on 23 August 2023, the following reflects our views at this time in respect of the questions asked in the consultation
Firearms Licensing Statistics – 2023
The Home Office and Police Scotland have recently published statistics in respect of certification of firearms, including shotguns in England and Wales and Scotland respectively.
The Wildlife Management and Muirburn Bill
The Wildlife Management and Muirburn Bill is currently working through evidence sessions in the Scottish Parliament. We continue to work with our RELM partners, including the Scottish Countryside Alliance, on challenging the disproportionate elements of this proposed legislation.
Scottish Parliament Petition - Recognise legal control of generalist predators as a conservation act.
Our colleagues at the Scottish Gamekeepers Association recently submitted a petition asking the Scottish Parliament to recognise control of generalist predators as similar to habitat restoration as an act of conservation.
Firearms Licensing Consultation
On Thursday, 29 June 2023, the UK Minister of State for Crime, Policing and Fire, Chris Philp, MP, published the UK Government’s response to the Keyham tragedy, the subsequent IOPC report and the considerations of the Scottish Affairs Committee in respect of firearms licensing.
Scottish Government consultation - change to planning laws in respect of temporary shooting ranges involving fixed targets.
The SG have published a consultation in respect of planning matters for temporary ranges involving fixed targets.