Gun cut plan is ‘off target’

Existing gun owners could soon be able to renew their licence over the phone as Bedfordshire Police and Herts Constabulary look to scrap blanket home checks. It’s part of a move to collaborate the two forces’ firearms units and save money in the face of budget cuts.

But Lucy Cope, who founded anti-gun group Mothers Against Guns after her son was shot dead in London in 2002, told the Herald & Post that any easing of the law would be a mistake.

She said: “It’s absolutely disgusting. Shame on any police force who support this, it sends out the wrong message. A very frightening message.

“It is difficult enough to keep track on firearms whether legal or illegal as it is.

“They should pull back from this proposal and should be supporting the Metropolitan Police in their efforts to push Operation Trident.

“We put together a colour chart with hotspots for gun crime and Luton has been brought to our attention over the last few months.

“We know that there are some creditable people who own firearms, but the system has been abused and one death is too many.”

The proposals would mean that gun owners could renew their licence every five years without a visit from a police officer.

A spokesman for Herts Police said that all new applicants for a licence would be subject to a home visit, but “intelligence checks” would determine those who should receive subsequent visits without waiting for the expiry of their current licence.

A police statement said: “The new approach will provide the public with a robust service that delivers more timely, risk assessed interventions to continue to ensure public safety while also saving money.”

The forces’ joint firearms unit is due to be established at the start of March.

Bedfordshire Police issued 700 gun licences in 2009, including 49 to under 18s.