In the wake of the recent Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) elections across England and Wales, the firearms licensing landscape could be poised for significant and potentially positive changes.
PCCs play a crucial role in shaping the operational efficiency of firearms licensing through their governance of local police budgets and oversight of Chief Constables, who are directly responsible for firearms licensing. This influence extends to the allocation of resources within firearms licensing departments and overall policy direction.
Prior to the elections on 2 May, BASC engaged in a targeted campaign reaching out to PCC candidates across 40 constituencies, aiming to garner support for more efficient firearms licensing processes. Through an online platform, BASC assisted interactions between its members and the candidates, advocating for a standardised 17-week processing time for both grants and renewals of licenses. The campaign also pushed for the establishment of an Independent Advisory Group for firearms owners and police, a measure recommended in the College of Policing’s Associated Professional Practice.
The results from this campaign are promising for the shooting community. Out of the 40 elected PCCs, 28 have expressed a positive stance towards shooting. Specifically, 22 of these PCCs committed to achieving the 17-week processing time for firearms licenses. Additionally, 19 have shown support for setting up an Independent Advisory Group in their jurisdictions, indicating a potential shift towards more shooter-friendly policies and improved dialogue between firearms owners and law enforcement.
BASC said that it plans to continue this momentum by meeting with the newly elected PCCs to discuss specific needs and strategies for improving firearms licensing efficiency, especially in 12 identified areas where current processes are notably inefficient. Of the new PCCs in these regions, 10 have already indicated their support for shooting sports. The stance of the remaining two will be clarified.
Gun Trade Insider will continue to monitor these developments closely and provide detailed updates in future issues.
