Diana Johnson MP, Labour’s Shadow Crime and Security Minister, commenting on Labour’s amendments to the Anti-social Behaviour Crime and Policing Bill aimed at strengthening the firearms licensing system, said:

“Reform of the gun licensing regime is needed and needed now.

"We know that the vast majority of the shooting community are law abiding citizens who are very careful about how they use their weapons. But it is becoming clear that the licensing system is not working as well as it should to serve license holders and protect the public.

"The terrible crimes of Derek Bird and Michael Atherton show why we need a robust licensing system. Sadly in the last six months nine people have died in incidents involving licensed guns.

"That is why Labour is proposing the biggest change to firearms legislation since the handguns ban in 1998. We want to enshrine in law a clear principle that those with a history of domestic or sexual violence, substance abuse or serious mental health problems should not be allowed a gun. We also want to shift the onus on to the applicant to prove their suitability.

"At the same time we want to make the system self-financing in order to give the police the resources they need to carry out proper background checks and provide a better service to the shooting community.

"After a decade without a fee rise, it is now time that the license fee reflects the true cost to the police. It is ridiculous that the annual cost of the firearms license is only a third as much as a fishing license. At a time when frontline police numbers are being cut by 20% we cannot continue to subsidise the firearms licensing system by £18m a year from resources that could otherwise be keeping bobbies on the beat.”