99 shotgun certificates were revoked by the Met Police in the year to March – up from 70 the year before reports Andrew Dowdeswell, Data Reporter

Two police officers in high viz viewed from behind — Nationally, 1,559 shotgun certificates were revoked across England and Wales – a 34% increase on 2022-23 – (Credit – Radar)

More shotgun licences were revoked in London last year, new figures.

It comes as more certificates for firearm and shotgun users across England and Wales were removed last year than ever before, which campaign group Action on Armed Violence said “can only be good”.

The Gun Control Network called on the Government to “dramatically increase” licence fees so the police can conduct more thorough checks.

Home Office figures show 99 shotgun certificates were revoked by the Met Police in the year to March – up from 70 the year before.

The figures also show 20 firearm licences were revoked over the same period – in line with 2022-23.

The police can revoke any individual’s firearms licence if they believe they cannot be trusted with it, are a danger to the public, or no longer have a good reason to hold it.

Nationally, 1,559 shotgun certificates were revoked across England and Wales – a 34% increase on 2022-23, and the highest figure since comparable records began in 2008-09.

Meanwhile, firearm revocations also reached record levels, rising by 21% to 507.

Dr Iain Overton, executive director at Action on Armed Violence, said gun control has repeatedly reduced death tolls globally.

He added: “The recent revocation of these shotgun and other licenses may have complex and individual reasons, such as concern for suicidal intention amongst economically-hit farmers, but in so doing they further reduce the likelihood of guns being used to murder or self-harm. This can only be good.”

A spokesperson for the Gun Control Network said there have been six shootings in Great Britain where three or more people have died in the last 14 years, five of which were committed by licensed gun owners.

They added: “Clearly our firearms licensing process is broken, and many bereaved and traumatised families are suffering the consequences.

“The licence fees need to increase dramatically so the police have more funding to conduct more thorough checks.”

The data also shows 21,179 shotgun and 3,906 firearm certificates were active in London as of the end of March, the equivalent of 507 and 196 per 100,000 people respectively.

The British Association for Shooting and Conservation said the police are increasingly “depriving perfectly safe people of their certificates and leaving it to the court to make the final decision”.

Director of firearms Bill Harriman questioned the consistency of police forces’ administration of licences following the coronavirus pandemic, adding the barriers for a “safe and responsible person” to get involved are “becoming increasingly insurmountable”.

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