THE 28 recommendations detailed by the Cullen Report, published yesterday, contain far reaching implications for the use of and private ownership of handguns in Britain, writes Rachel Donnelly.
Lord Cullen set out three main areas for consideration. First, he proposed changes to fireams legislation to restrict the availability of self loading pistols and revolvers, of any calibre, held by individuals for target shooting. This, he suggested, could be achieved by dismantling these guns when not in use - by either removing the slide assembly or cylinder - and storing these parts in a gun club. He said that it was a matter for Parliament to decide whether to ban multi shot handguns.
On the second issue of specific firearms legislation, the report recommended changes to the 1968 Firearms Act, to give the police the power to revoke a firearms certificate if they were satisfied that the individual did not have "a good reason" for "possessing or acquiring a gun or ammunition.
It was also suggested that the Firearms Act should contain all additional requirement on the individual that when a firearms licence is being renewed or applied for the first time that they must satisfy the Chief Constable of that particular area that they are "fit to be entrusted with firearms and ammunition."
Lord Cullen also recommended the abolition of the present requirement under the Firearms Act that a counter signature on a firearms applications should be sought before it is accepted. He suggested instead that two references should be required in order that criminal and psychological assessments of an applicant could be made.
Tackling the contentious issue of how Thomas Hamilton was able to legally hold and store high calibre handguns, he criticised the "weakness of the procedures" which enabled the police in Scotland to issue him with a handgun licence.
It was a matter, he said "of real importance. On balance there was cause for the revocation of Hamilton's gun licence which should have been acted upon."
In the third main area of consideration, Lord Cullen made specific recommendations on the future of school security in England, Scotland and Vales, and on the vetting of individuals who wish to work with children and young adults.