There have been a couple of consultations over the last few months by the Home Office and Scottish Government that have been of relevance to the target shooting community. Both closed on 23 August 2023, with STS submitting responses to both. STS is pleased to share copies of these responses:
Scottish Government Permitted Development Rights Phase 3 Consultation
On 31 May a consultation was published by the Scottish Government that contained a section that covers Temporary Use of Land: Shooting Ranges. Section 6.2 and Question 30 of the consultation related to the particular issue of 'Shooting Ranges'.
In summary, the Scottish Government was seeking views on proposals to remove an exemption which allows temporary use of land for up to 28 days per calendar year, without planning permission, from applying to shooting ranges for fixed targets.
Below is a copy of the STS response submitted in responses to this consultation on 22 August 2023.
Home Office Firearms Licensing Consultation
On 29 June 2023 the Home Office published a consultation which ran for 8 weeks and covered a number of recommendations it received on suggested changes to firearms licensing. The consultation looked for views on recommendations made to the UK Government by:
The Senior Coroner for Plymouth, Torbay and South Devon following the inquest into the deaths of those shot and killed by a licensed shotgun owner in Keyham on 12 August 2021;
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) following its investigation into Devon and Cornwall Police’s decision-making in relation to the possession of a shotgun and shotgun certificate by the shooter in Keyham; and
The Scottish Affairs Select Committee following its review of firearms licensing regulations in Scotland, which followed a fatal shooting on the Isle of Skye on 10 August 2022.
Below is a copy of the STS response submitted in response to this consultation on 23 August 2023.