'We need to tighten gun laws'

IMPORTANT KEYHAM'S LEGACY IS HEARD AT CONSULTATION, SAYS MP

- CARL EVE

PLYMOUTH'S Labour MP has urged the Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Panel to grasp the opportunity of the Government's consultation on possible firearm law reforms in response to the Keyham shooting in August 2021.

Luke Pollard, MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport has worked closely with the families of those who were unlawfully killed in Biddick Drive and Henderson Place, as well as those who were injured and the wider community who witnessed or were affected by the horrific events which unfolded that day.

Following news on Monday that the Crime Panel which was to focus on proposed changes in firearms licensing and hear a detailed report on how the community in Keyham has been recovering from the trauma of the shootings was abandoned because not enough of the members attended, he highlighted the fact that the Government announced last month that it had launched an eight-week-long public consultation on firearm ownership.

Concerns have been raised by some gun control advocates that the gun-lobby would seek to use the consultation process to stop parts of Plymouth senior coroner Ian Arrow's recommendations from being accepted. The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) director of firearms Bill Harriman openly urged his own members to take part, saying they "must not be silent and think others will do the work for them. The shooting community must respond in numbers. Make sure you have your say."

Mr Pollard said that the city should not lose the opportunity to make the case for "positive change" in the law by contributing to the consultation currently underway but which may conclude before the Crime Panel finally sits down to hear the two key reports they were meant to hear last Friday.