News
Firearms Licensing Fees
The Home Office are currently reviewing the fees for firearms licensing matters. The fees were last increased seven years ago. It is the stated position of the Home Office to move towards full cost recovery. Work is ongoing to establish what these costs are and the Home Office have engaged with the police and the shooting organisations in this regard.
Reasonable rights to access – Scottish Outdoor Access Code
At this time of year, we at SACS usually get an increase in calls from members about access rights in Scotland. As shoots get ready for the arrival of poults, the weather gets warmer, and people are usually keen to enjoy the countryside.
Health and Safety at Work Day
World Day for Safety and Health at Work takes place on April 28 every year. It is sobering to think that every day, about 6500 people die because of accidents that happen on the job, as well as work-related diseases. That is 2.3 million deaths in a year.
Keyham Murders – HM Coroner’s Reports
You will be aware of the recent media reporting in respect of reports sent to a number of agencies from HM Coroner for Plymouth, Torbay and South Devon in relation to the murders of five people on 12 August 2021 in Keyham, Plymouth…
Hunting with Dogs (Scotland)
The Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill was passed by the Scottish Parliament on 24 January 2023. The bill will become law after it has received Royal Assent, probably in the summer…
Catching-up Pheasants - an update
Given the difficulties involved by most shoots in obtaining game birds last year, we are sure that more shoots will be looking to catch up hen pheasants, partridges or ducks this year…
General Licences
NatureScot have just published the General Licences for 2023 on their website…
Licensing Consultation
Between 24 October and 212 November 2022, the Scottish Affairs Committee of the UK Parliament at Westminster heard evidence from shooting organisations, Police Scotland, Scottish Ministers, UK Ministers and policy officials in respect of firearms licensing matters…
Bird Flu in Geese
There has been a warning issued about bird flu amid pink-footed geese deaths in Moray. Members with an interest in wildfowling…
The Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill
You may be aware that the Scottish Parliament is examining the proposed legislation presented by the Scottish Government in respect of hunting with dogs in Scotland. This legislation, if passed in its current form would present difficulties…
NIFRG Press Release
Agriculture and Rural Affairs Minister Edwin Poots MLA has agreed to support organisations challenging the poor performance of the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s (PSNI) Firearms and Explosive Branch (FEB).
Lead Consultation
Without doubt, the UK Reach consultation on the restrictions of lead ammunition poses one of the greatest changes to shooting, of all disciplines in the UK for generations. In effect, it is proposed to ban the sale and use of lead ammunition…
UK Parliament Call for Evidence – firearms licensing Scotland.
The Scottish Parliament, Scottish Affairs Committee has published a request for evidence in respect of firearms licensing. The following link refers…
Firearms and Mental Health – Awareness and Support leaflet
The Firearms and Mental Health – Awareness and Support leaflet was published at the end of July 2022. The publication was included in the last newsletter and…
Humane Dispatch
At a recent meeting of the Scottish Firearms and Explosives Licensing Practitioners meeting, the matter of conditions in respect of humane dispatch was raised. Whilst the general Police Scotland condition on Firearms Certificates of any lawful quarry was accepted as complying with the vast majority of circumstances it was questioned whether the condition was applicable on a road or roadside.
Value of Shooting survey
You will likely have received an email with a link to the Value of Shooting survey by now. The survey is designed to gather data in respect of how much financial value shooting, of all types, contributes to the UK economy and how it supports fragile rural communities…
Mental Health Leaflet
A leaflet providing information on mental health support for firearms license holders has been released by the Scottish Firearms Licensing Practitioners Group. The group is composed of organisations…
Firearms Safety Consultation
The Firearms Safety consultation paper was published by the Home Office on 24 November 2020. It invited comments on a range of firearms safety issues which were raised with the Government during the passage through Parliament of the Offensive Weapons Act 2019…
Northern Ireland “Critical Incident”
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has declared a “critical incident” due to protracted backlogs of applications within its firearms licensing department. A critical incident is defined as “Any incident where the effectiveness of the police response is likely to have a significant …