Police give kids shotgun licence
Reporter DON MORT asks whether children as young as 10 should have the right to be given a gun licence.
KIDS as young as 10 have been given shotgun licences by West Yorkshire Police.
The force's gun licensing department, based in Wakefield, has granted 84 shotgun certificates to people aged under 18 since April 2008.
Two of the licences were granted to 10-year-olds and three went to kids aged 11, figures released under the Freedom of Information Act reveal. The certificates mean the youngsters can legally shoot cartridges at targets, including game and vermin.
In the same period, the force issued 15 firearms certificates - which give permission to own more powerful bullet-firing guns and ammunition - to under 18s. A 14-year-old and two 15-year-olds were given the licences.
The news has sparked outrage among anti-gun campaigners who are calling for a minimum age of 18 to be imposed by the government.
Chrissie Hall, from the Gun Control Network, said: "The issue is the more guns there are in society, the more gun incidents there are. There's a clear correlation.
"In the UK in the last three decades we have had three gun massacres. All three were committed by people who were licensed gun owners, using their legally held weapons. It is clear that the licensing system is flawed.
"We have very good gun laws in this country but it's not good enough because the public is at risk. It needs reviewing."
The Gun Control Network is calling for a new 24-hour helpline for people concerned about weapons and checks made with the partners or ex-partners of those applying for a gun licence.
Wakefield MP Mary Creagh was also alarmed at the figures. She said: "I would be concerned about any child or young person having a firearms licence.
"Guns are weapons, not toys, and we have to do everything we can as a society to ensure that children and young people are protected from the accidental injury and death that they cause."
West Yorkshire Police confirmed there were 13,325 firearm and shotgun certificates currently held in the force area.
A force spokesperson said: "The possession of firearms, shotguns and ammunition by young people is covered under the Firearms Act. Young people are subject to strict supervision while using a firearm and appropriate provisions must be in place before a young person is granted a certificate.
"These provisions which are designed to manage and reduce risk are very important criteria for issue.
"Each application considers the personal circumstances of the applicant and typically may include living in a rural community as well as sporting or club membership. In addition, each application by a young person is given consideration at both Licensing Manager level and at Chief Inspector level."
Skilled sport is not about violence, say enthusiasts
A GUN club has defended the rights of young people to shoot in supervised surroundings as part of a legitimate sport.
John Emmerson, of Wakefield Rifle and Pistol Club, said: "If these figures were published in Europe they wouldn't raise an eyebrow.
"If you go to other countries and look at the way they deal with firearms and young people it is vastly different.
"When we go to championships abroad the majority of shooters are in their late teens or early 20s. The sport is dying in this country because we have no young people coming through."
He said there were stringent guidelines and anybody joining the College Grove club had to pass a probationary period. Gun licences require the holder to prove why they need a weapon and demonstrate they have adequate security where the gun and ammunition are kept.
Mr Emmerson said: "We have an attitude generated by tragic events. But the police did not apply the firearms legislation properly. These men shouldn't have been allowed to have a firearms certificate. People think every single firearm is made to kill. That is wrong. They are designed to shoot a hole in a paper target."
His stepson, Dominic Oldham, 16, has been air rifle shooting at the club for four years, but does not hold a shotgun or firearms certificate.
Dominic said: "It is definitely enjoyable and a different challenge to other sports like football and cricket. When I tell my friends about it they are quite exited and always seem interested in it. It is not a well-known sport."
Mr Emmerson added: "The reason kids in this country find it exciting is because the only education about firearms is from Hollywood."
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Friday 25 May 2012
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