BASC has issued a robust response to a consultation on increasing fees for firearms licences which are issued by the Home Office and Scottish government.
The Home Office consultation did not deal with fees for firearm and shotgun certificates for individuals issued by police forces.
The eight-week public consultation sought views on the implementation of new fees for prohibited weapons, museum collections and approved shooting clubs.
Bill Harriman, BASC’s director of firearms, said: “We were pleased to respond to the Home Office’s consultation on fees for government firearms licences. We were very robust in our response because the proposals are poorly evidenced, may breach Treasury rules and involve increases many times above the rate of inflation.
“With a membership of over 148,000, BASC represents a significant proportion of the shooting community.
“BASC has many members who are target shooters and members of Home Office Approved Clubs. BASC also has approximately 1,120 trade members, a number of whom have the Secretary of State’s Authority to possess and trade in prohibited weapons.
“BASC maintains close links with those museums dedicated to preserving firearms heritage.”
BASC chairman Peter Glenser said: “We hope that as many shooters as possible have taken the opportunity to make their views known in response to this consultation. Government regulation must be properly evidenced and comply with Treasury rules.”
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