Northern Ireland’s department of justice should establish a firearms working group to examine all issues involving firearms licensing, says BASC.
The DoJ recently held a consultation on licensing fees and the minimum age at which someone may use a shotgun or airgun.
Now BASC has called for a wider examination of firearms laws in Northern Ireland that involves all relevant stakeholders.
BASC NI director Tommy Mayne said: “Licensing administration and fees are serious issues in NI that have been shrouded in controversy for years. A significant fees increase has been proposed but the DoJ has not supplied sufficient evidence to support it.
“BASC firmly believes there should be no increase in fees without a full and transparent review of the necessary processes within firearms licensing. The DoJ needs to engage with the shooting and gun trade organisations and provide transparency and the evidence to substantiate their figures. The establishment of a working group involving all stakeholders would go a long way towards rectifying this situation.”
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