Celtic League : Smith 'drags her heels' on tougher gun law

Anti gun campaigners have joined the call for tighter restrictions to be introduced for the issuing of firearms certificates to children under the age of eighteen years. As reported previously in Celtic League news, current legislation allows children under 15 years to hold a shotgun licence

Anti gun campaigners have joined the call for tighter restrictions to be introduced for the issuing of firearms certificates to children under the age of eighteen years.

As reported previously in Celtic League news, current legislation allows children under 15 years to hold a shotgun licence, which has led to campaign group 'Mothers Against Violence' to request an age restriction be introduced. Last month Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill called for a UK wide summit to review firearms laws, but it was rejected by English Home Secretary Jacqui Smith. Westminster controls regulations on the use of firearms and it is not currently a devolved matter, but with an increasing number of children sustaining firearms injuries, especially in Scotland, it is clear that the Firearms Act 1968 needs reviewing.

The Celtic League wrote a letter to Smith in March 2008 backing MacAskill's initiative, arguing that :

"In our opinion the Firearms Act 1968 is outdated and it is time for the legislation to be reviewed."

Despite the growing chorus of support for swift action, Jacqui Smith and the Home Office are still 'dragging their heels' on the issue. Smith who likes to 'talk tough' on other issues seems incapable of decisive action on this critical issue.

Related article of Celtic News at:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/2518

J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League

18/04/08