Toughening shotgun ownership restrictions may have huge impact on farming

At the end of last week, the government launched a debate about restrictions on the ownership of shotguns.

The Labour government has said that it will consult on “aligning the controls on shotguns with other firearms”. The thrust of the policy is to license shotguns in the same way as rifles and other guns currently dealt with under Section 1 of the Firearms Act.

Countryside Alliance explained that, in practical terms, this would mean that an applicant would have to show good reason for owning a shotgun, each gun would have to be licensed separately, the purchase and holding of ammunition would be limited, and there may be additional restrictions around the storage of shotguns.

The campaigning organisation added that this “significant and unjustified burden on legitimate gun owners” would have a huge impact on the farming sector.

This policy is, in large part, driven by reaction to the horrific killings in Keysham in 2021, although calls for shotguns to be licensed under Section 1 long pre-date that.

‘Whole new challenge between Labour and countryside’

Tim Bonner, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, said: “Legitimate gun owners are committed to robust licensing, and the Alliance and our partner organisations have consistently worked with the government on issues like medical checks and mental health to improve the system.

“These new proposals, however, are draconian and unreasonable. They also create a whole new challenge in the relationship between Labour and the countryside.

“Even I am surprised, however, that the government is willing to embark upon another fight with the countryside even whilst the row over inheritance tax and family farms rumbles on.

“However much ministers deny it, many people will see this as part of a wider anti-rural agenda.”

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